Tag Archives: Dilma Rousseff

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Released – but not free … Ben Ayliffe, Greenpeace


        “This is the most lovely news I’ve got in the last two months, but  justice will only be done when all the absurd charges are dropped. A  person who only does good for the planet, like my daughter, must be  recognized by their actions, not unjustly accused. This is the only way  we can keep the faith in the future.”
Yesterday, the mother of Brazilian activist Ana Paula heard that her  daughter will be released on bail. It’s amazing news, but Ana Paula and her fellow peaceful activists  could still spend years behind bars if convicted for a crime they didn’t  commit. 
Below is a picture of Miguel Hernan hearing that he also has been granted bail. We need for him and the rest of the Arctic 30 to know that the we are not giving up.

This isn’t over. Send a message now to demand freedom and justice for all the Arctic 30.            Send a message - this isn't over                                                                 After two months of unjust imprisonment, it seems the Russian courts are finally heeding the call of millions of voices around the world. So far, 17 of the Arctic 30 have been granted bail, including Peter Wilcox, the Captain of the Arctic Sunrise. But the 28 Greenpeace International activists, a photographer and a videographer remain accused of piracy and hooliganism after a peaceful protest against Arctic oil drilling.
While the bail is great news, we can’t celebrate yet. Unlike the others, Colin, an activist from Australia, was denied bail and had his detention extended for three more months. And all of the Arctic 30 still face extremely serious accusations. They could have a long wait for a trial, and face years in prison if convicted on these absurd charges.
We need your help to let the world know this isn’t over yet. We must keep fighting to free our friends and bring them home to their families. We need more than bail, we need these ridiculous charges against peaceful activists dropped for good, putting an end to this madness.
Send a message to the Russian embassy: this isn’t over until charges are dropped. Click here.
Since the ship and entire crew of the Arctic Sunrise were detained exactly two months ago, a huge movement has grown to support their freedom. Thousands of people have protested in hundreds of cities worldwide with marches, vigils, demonstrations, and festivals. Activists took to the Eiffel Tower, the Sagrada Familia, and the corporate offices of oil giant Gazprom and its partner Shell to protest this injustice.
Meanwhile over 2 million messages have been sent to Russian embassies. Support has flowed in from 13 Nobel laureates, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Aung San Suu Kyi. Global leaders like Angela Merkel, Dilma Rousseff, and David Cameron have asked for diplomatic solutions, while celebrities like Paul McCartney, Madonna, and Jude Law added their support.
The Arctic 30 went to the Arctic to bear witness to the threat caused by oil companies in this fragile environment, and peacefully protest to protect the home of the polar bears. If you believe, like I do, that these people are heroes, and not criminals, then help bring them home. Click here.
Thank you for everything,

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Stop the Amazon Chainsaw Massacre Luis Morago – Avaaz.org

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Brazil‘s Congress has just passed a bill that gives loggers and farmers free rein to cut down huge swaths of the Amazon. Only President Dilma can veto it. Domestic pressure is mounting, but a massive global outcry will prove her international reputation is at stake. Let’s tip her over the edge to stop the Amazon chainsaw massacre — sign the urgent petition and tell everyone:

Sign the petition

The Brazilian Congress has just passed a catastrophic forestry bill that gives loggers and farmers free rein to cut down huge swaths of the Amazon.

Now only President Dilma can stop it.


Fortunately, the timing is on our side — in weeks Dilma will host the world’s biggest environmental summit and insiders say she cannot afford to open it as the leader who approved the destruction of the rainforest. She’s facing mounting domestic pressure, with 79% of Brazilians rejecting this new bill. Now, if we join them we can turn up the global heat and push her to axe the bill, not the rainforest.
Dilma could make her decision any day.

Let’s get her to veto the bill now. Click below to sign the urgent petition to stop the Amazon chainsaw massacre and if you have already signed — send this to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/veto_dilma_global/?vl
The Amazon is vital to life on earth — 20% of our oxygen comes from this magnificent rainforest, and it plays a key role in mitigating global climate change.  Over the last decade, Brazil has vastly reduced deforestation rates, achieving a 78% decline between 2004 and 2011. The reason? A world-acclaimed forestry law, strong enforcement and satellite monitoring.
But this dangerous new bill would open up an area the size of France and Britain combined to clear-cutting and gives loggers amnesty for all past deforestation crimes. This would not only spark total forest devastation in Brazil, it would also set a bad precedent for other countries. That’s why it’s so crucial that we all protect it.
Brazil is a rapidly developing country, battling to lift tens of millions out of poverty. Despite evidence that growth does not require deforestation, Dilma is under pressure from the powerful agriculture lobby that helped her get elected to cut down rainforest for profit. And it is an ugly battle — activists are being murdered, intimidated and silenced. But ex-Environmental Ministers and people across Brazil have sent a clear message to Dilma that they want to save the Amazon. Now, it’s up to all of us to stand with them and urge President Dilma to remain strong.

The fate of Brazil’s rainforests is dangling by a thread. But, with President Dilma so vulnerable to public pressure right now, we can bring the global force of people power to get a win for our planet! Sign the urgent petition below and tell everyone — the petition will be delivered by Brazil’s former Environment Ministers directly to Dilma:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/veto_dilma_global/?vl
In the last three years, we have won battle after battle against the odds. Now, let’s come together before it is too late to stop the destruction of the Amazon, protect our planet and herald Dilma as a true international environmental leader.
With hope and determination,
Luis, Pedro, Maria Paz, Alice, Ricken, Carol, Lisa, Rewan and the entire Avaaz team
MORE INFORMATION:
Brazil’s Congress approves controversial forest law (BBC) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17851237
Brazil Forest Code Passes In Defeat For Dilma Rousseff (Huffington Post) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/27/brazil-forest-code_n_1457149.html
Revised Brazilian Forest Code good for environmental criminals, bad for forests (IB Times) http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/20120501/revised-brazilian-forest-code-environmental-criminals-forests-common.htm
Amazon deforestation record low (BBC) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8358094.stm
Brazilians reject axing of forest protections (WWF) http://wwf.panda.org/?uNewsID=200698

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from greenpeace

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A decade of progress protecting the Amazon rainforest is in serious trouble.

The Brazilian agribusiness lobby is on the offensive. They’ve already used their influence to limit the government’s ability to enforce laws out in the field. Now they have their sights set on a new Forest Code bill that would provide amnesty to forest criminals, severely weaken protections for the Amazon and open up a section of forest larger than the state of Minnesota to possible deforestation.

This bill would spell disaster for the Amazon rainforest if passed. It’s already made its way through the Brazilian Senate and now it’s up to President Dilma to decide whether or not it becomes law. Now is our chance.

President Dilma cares about Brazil’s global reputation and wants to be a leader. Let her know that the world is watching and urge her to veto the new Forest Code bill before it’s too late!

Our goal is to get 30,000 Americans to join their allies in Brazil in speaking out against this law before she makes her final decision. That could be any day now in the coming weeks.

On the campaign trail, President Dilma stated that she wouldn’t sign a law that grants amnesty to forest criminals or reduces the size of protected areas in the Amazon. Politics are the same everywhere. And just like in the US, it is going to take massive public pressure from inside and outside Brazil to overcome special interests and make sure that President Dilma keeps her word.

The situation is so urgent that we’re sending our new flagship, the Rainbow Warrior, to Brazil later this month to help out. She’ll be leaving Florida and setting sail for the Amazon to support the campaign directly.

Brazilians have made it clear they don’t want this — about 80% oppose the bill. But this isn’t just a Brazilian issue. Amazon rainforest destruction has global consequences.

Greenpeace, along with other groups in the Amazon and allies within the Brazilian government, have made huge strides in the last ten years when it comes to protecting the Amazon. We can’t afford to let big agribusiness win this one.

President Dilma needs to hear from you…send her a message now.

For the forests,

Daniel Brindis Greenpeace Forest Campaigner

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Brazil is on the verge of gutting its forest protection laws


Incredible! Over 740,000 signers — let’s reach one million in time to join massive marches for forest protection across Brazil.

The Amazon is in serious danger: Brazil is on the verge of gutting its forest protection laws — unless we act now, vast tracts of our planet’s lungs could be opened up to clear-cutting devastation.

This threat to the Amazon has sparked widespread anger and protests across the country and tensions are rising. In an effort to stifle criticism, armed thugs, allegedly hired by loggers, have murdered environmental advocates. But the movement is fighting back — in four days, brave indigenous people are leading massive marches across Brazil to demand action and inside sources say President Dilma is considering vetoing the changes. 

79% of Brazilians support a veto of the forest law changes and this internal pressure is leading some in Dilma’s administration to back a veto. But we need a global cry of solidarity with the Brazilian people to really force Dilma’s hand. Our global petition will be boldly displayed on banners at the front of the massive marches for Amazon protection. Let’s reach one million to SAVE THE AMAZON! Sign the urgent petition below and send this on to everyone:

 

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_amazon_a/?vl

People love Brazil! The sun, the music, the dancing, the football, the nature — it’s a country that inspires millions around the world. This is why Brazil is hosting the next World Cup, why Rio has the 2016 Olympics and next year’s Earth Summit, a meeting to stop the slow death of our planet.

Our love is not misplaced — the Amazon is vital to life on earth — 20% of our oxygen and one-fifth of all the world’s freshwater comes from this magnificent rainforest. That’s why it’s so crucial that we all protect it.

But Brazil is also a rapidly developing country, battling to lift tens of millions out of poverty, and the pressure on its political leaders to clear-cut and mine for profit is intense. Now, they’re dangerously close to buckling on environmental protections. Local activists are being murdered, intimidated and silenced. It’s up to Avaaz members across the world to stand with Brazilians and urge Brazil’s politicians to be strong.

Many of us have seen in our own countries how growth often comes at the expense of our natural heritage: our waters and air get polluted, our forests die.

For Brazil, there is an alternative. Dilma’s predecessor massively reduced deforestation and cemented the country’s international reputation as an environmental leader, while also enjoying huge economic growth. Let’s come together now, when indigenous and environmental leaders are taking their battle to the streets and urge Dilma to follow in those footsteps — sign the petition to save the Amazon, then forward this email to everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_amazon_a/?vl

In the last three years, Brazilian Avaaz members have taken massive leaps towards the world we all want: They won landmark anti-corruption legislation, and have lobbied their government to play a leadership role at the UN, protect human rights and intervene to support democracy in the Middle East, and help protect human rights in Africa and beyond. Now, as brave Brazilian activists are being killed for protecting a precious global resource, let’s come together around this critical day of action to save the Amazon and herald Brazil as a true international leader once more.

With hope,

Emma, Ricken, Alice, Ben, Iain, Laura, Graziela, Luis and the rest of the Avaaz Team
MORE INFORMATION

ICTSD: The Brazilian Forest Code: Exploitation and Preservation
http://ictsd.org/i/news/biores/111187/

WWF, More voices speak out against relaxing Brazil’s Forest Law
http://www.wwf.org.uk/news_feed.cfm?5142/More_voices_speak_out_against_relaxing_Brazils_Forest_Law

BBC — Brazil passes ‘retrograde’ forest code:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13544000

AP — Another Amazon activist killed in logging conflict:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gpeblqINNdOyGwLJOL2QRXInY4bA?docId=CNG.b3569aafd06fe78f58be73c5faaa97a5.71

Mongabay — Majority of Brazilians reject changes in Amazon Forest Code:
http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0611-amazon_code_poll.html

Science Insider — Furor Over Proposed Brazilian Forest Law:
http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2011/05/furor-over-proposed-brazilian.html

Guardian — Death in the Amazon: a war being fought for us all:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2011/jun/15/amazon-rainforest-brazil-murder

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Murder in the Amazon …Emma Ruby-Sachs – Avaaz.org

1 Comment

The Amazon is in serious danger — the lower house of the Brazilian congress has approved a gutting of Brazil’s forest protection laws. Unless we act now, vast tracts of our planet’s lungs could be opened up to clear-cutting devastation.

  

The Amazon forest is at risk. The Brazilian Congress has watered down strict forest protection laws and brave Brazilian activists are being murdered for speaking out. It’s time for us to take this critical battle global — if we all call on President Dilma to veto the bill, we could save the Amazon.

The move has sparked widespread anger and protests across the country. And tension is rising — in the last few weeks, several prominent environmental advocates have been murdered, purportedly by armed thugs hired by illegal loggers. The timing is critical. They’re trying to silence criticism just as the law is discussed in the Senate. But President Dilma can veto the changes, if we can persuade her to overcome political pressure and step onto the global stage as a leader.

79% of Brazilians support Dilma’s veto of the forest law changes, but their voices are being challenged by logger lobbies. It’s now up to all of us to raise the stakes and make Amazon protection a global issue. Let’s come together now in a giant call to stop the murders and illegal logging, and save the Amazon. Sign the petition below — it’ll be delivered to Dilma when we reach 500,000 signers:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_amazon/?vl

People love Brazil! The sun, the music, the dancing, the football, the nature — it’s a country that inspires millions around the world. This is why Brazil is hosting the next World Cup, why Rio has the 2016 Olympics and next year’s Earth Summit, a meeting to stop the slow death of our planet.

Our love is not misplaced — the Amazon Is vital to life on earth — 20% of our oxygen and 60% of our freshwater comes from this magnificent rainforest.  That’s why it’s so crucial that we all protect it.

But Brazil is also a rapidly developing country, battling to lift tens of millions out of poverty, and the pressure to clear-cut and mine for profit on its political leaders is intense. This is why they’re dangerously close to buckling on environmental protections. Local activists are being murdered, intimidated and silenced, it’s up to Avaaz members across the world to stand with Brazilians and urge Brazil’s politicians to be strong.

Many of us have seen in our own countries how growth often comes at the expense of our natural heritage, our waters and air get polluted, our forests die. 

For Brazil, there is an alternative. Dilma’s predecessor massively reduced deforestation and cemented the country’s international reputation as an environmental leader, while also enjoying huge economic growth.  Let’s come together now, and urge Dilma to follow in those footsteps — sign the petition to save the Amazon, then forward this email to everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_amazon/?vl

In the last 3 years, Brazilian Avaaz members have taken massive leaps towards the world we all want: They won landmark anti-corruption legislation, and have lobbied their government to play a leadership role at the UN, protect human rights and intervene to support democracy in the Middle East, and help protect human rights in Africa and beyond.

Now, as brave Brazilian activists are being killed for protecting a critical global resource, let’s come together, and build an international movement to save the Amazon and herald Brazil as a true international leader once more. Sign the petition, then forward this email to everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_amazon/?vl

With hope,

Emma, Ricken, Alice, Ben, Iain, Laura, Graziela, Luis and the rest of the Avaaz Team
MORE INFORMATION

BBC — Brazil passes ‘retrograde’ forest code:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13544000

AP — Another Amazon activist killed in logging conflict:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gpeblqINNdOyGwLJOL2QRXInY4bA?docId=CNG.b3569aafd06fe78f58be73c5faaa97a5.71

Mongabay — Majority of Brazilians reject changes in Amazon Forest Code:
http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0611-amazon_code_poll.html

Science Insider — Furor Over Proposed Brazilian Forest Law:
http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2011/05/furor-over-proposed-brazilian.html

Guardian — Death in the Amazon: a war being fought for us all:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/damian-carrington-blog/2011/jun/15/amazon-rainforest-brazil-murder

Washington Post — Brazil’s lower house approves looser forest protections:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/brazils-lower-house-approves-looser-forest-protections/2011/05/25/AGgXnaBH_story.html

Brazil’s forest bill threat to Amazon
http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2011/05/26/brazils-forestry-bill-threat-to-amazon/
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