{"id":67629,"date":"2024-10-30T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/canada\/?p=67629"},"modified":"2024-10-31T18:10:39","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T22:10:39","slug":"civil-society-groups-denounce-the-criminalization-of-environmental-protest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/canada\/en\/press-release\/67629\/civil-society-groups-denounce-the-criminalization-of-environmental-protest\/","title":{"rendered":"Civil society groups denounce the criminalization of environmental protest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MONTREAL \u2013 <\/strong>Several key players from environmental and social justice groups came together to denounce the criminalization of peaceful protest. This united statement responds to the arrest and prolonged detention of three environmental activists as well as a broader wave of repression against the movement.<\/p>\n\n

The activists from Last Generation Canada and Antigone Collective who scaled Jacques Cartier bridge on October 22 were held in custody for several days after their arrest. Normally, peaceful activists are released after a brief detention with a promise to reappear before the court. This time, the Crown chose to keep them in prison. According to these groups, the Crown\u2019s decision marks a worrying turn towards a criminalization and repression of the environmental movement. A solidarity rally took place Thursday morning October 31 at 9am in front of the Montr\u00e9al courthouse. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cRecent statements by Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s Minister of Public Security, lamenting the media coverage of \u201cenvironmental propaganda,\u201d illustrate the slippery slope we find ourselves on. The rest of Canada has also demonstrated worrying signs of toughening the state\u2019s response to direct action. This year, Chief Dsta\u2019hyl, the Chief of the Likhts\u2019amisyu clan, of Wet\u2019suwet\u2019en nation, was declared in 2024 a \u201cprisoner of conscience,\u201d the first in the country, by Amnesty International. The picture that is beginning to emerge is not a bright one\u201d said France-Isabelle Langlois, general director, Amnesty International Canada Francophone.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cNon-violent direct action has advanced justice throughout history. Now more than ever, climate action is urgent. We shouldn\u2019t be criminalizing and punishing those brave enough to risk their lives to draw attention to this subject. Criminalizing and detaining these activists sends the wrong message. We\u2019re punishing those who act to expose climate inaction, yet we don\u2019t hold accountable the corporations and governments that fail us on climate. We\u2019re in solidarity with the arrested activists and reiterate our demand for the immediate release of the activist still detained\u201d said Louis Couillard, Mobilization Lead, Greenpeace Canada.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cRepression of peaceful environmental activists has no place in a democratic society. As we near COP29, where world leaders come together to debate our climate future, it\u2019s imperative to remember that civil society \u2013 whether that be in Canada, in Qu\u00e9bec, or elsewhere \u2013 has the right to speak out without fear. Recent climate negotiations like those in Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates were marked by restrictions on freedom of expression. Do we not see a repressive shift here, with the detention of these activists? The right to express oneself and to oppose climate inaction is essential to guarantee social and environmental justice. Instead, let\u2019s tackle the real problem and hold accountable the corporations that are already causing so much damage to our province and the rest of the world,\u201d said Le\u00efla Cantave, Qu\u00e9bec Lead, Climate Action Network<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cEven if we do not resort to civil disobedience, we share the activist\u2019s position : the government\u2019s actions on the current social and environmental crisis are not enough. Inequality continues to rise in Canada, while we should be working on reducing this to avoid the most catastrophic scenarios. These situations inevitably generate great levels of distress. So, we\u2019re not surprised to see more and more people resort to these tactics, to exert pressure and make themselves heard,\u201d said Alexandre Huet, citizen mobilization lead, David Suzuki Foundation.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

ENDS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Notes to editor:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

On Tuesday morning, Jacob Pirro was released under very strict conditions until his trial: curfew from 11pm to 7am, a ban on speaking publicly about the case, a ban on being in the company of more than three people in public, and a ban on possessing climbing equipment. Olivier Huard, on his side, will not be released before the date of his bond hearing, October 31, 10 days after his detention began, an unprecedented decision in a climate activism case in Qu\u00e9bec. He is currently being held in solitary confinement. Released on Sunday, Mich\u00e8le spent 3 nights and 4 days in jail, following her arrest at the foot of Jacques Cartier bridge. As she was acting as police liaison, it is unclear why Mich\u00e8le was arrested and detained. The Crown judge granted her release with the following conditions: she is prohibited from being in the company of more than three people in public, she is prohibited from speaking about this affair on social media, and she is prohibited from speaking about this affair with the media.<\/p>\n\n

For more information, please contact : <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Laura Bergamo, Communications Campaigner, Greenpeace Canada<\/p>\n\n

laura.bergamo@greenpeace.org ; +1 438 928-5237<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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