Greenpeace Charges Ashcroft, Miami Authorities Endanger Free Speech Rights

[Judi Lynn]

Greenpeace Charges Ashcroft, Miami Authorities Endanger Free Speech Rights
21 minutes ago



MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Oct. 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Freedom of speech, the right to peaceful protest and halting the import of illegal mahogany from the Brazilian (news - web sites) Amazon were the focus of a press conference held by Greenpeace today. The global environmental group is fighting unprecedented federal criminal charges in Miami for engaging in peaceful protest, even as it continues its work to stop the destruction of endangered forests around the world. The press conference also drew attention to the extreme measures that federal and local authorities have taken recently to deny a Greenpeace ship access to the Port of Miami and to hinder public access to that ship.


"This case is an ominous extension of John Ashcroft (news - web sites)'s Patriot Act," said John Passacantando, Executive Director of Greenpeace. "If this prosecution succeeds, non-violent civil protest -- an essential American tradition from colonial times to the civil rights movement -- may become yet another casualty of Mr. Ashcroft's attack on civil liberties."


In April 2002, two Greenpeace activists climbed onto a commercial ship off the coast of Florida. The activists were carrying a banner that read, "President Bush (news - web sites), Stop Illegal Logging" to draw attention to the fact that the ship was bringing illegal mahogany from the Amazon rainforest into the United States. Criminal enterprises continue to ravage the Amazon, using bribery, extortion, slavery, and murder. (snip)



(snip) The Port of Miami recently refused dock space to the Greenpeace ship M.Y. Esperanza, which arrived in Miami on October 27, on its way to Europe after spending three months in North America. During the Esperanza's stay in Miami, Greenpeace had planned to invite the public on board to learn more about Greenpeace's work. However, the ship was forced to anchor three miles out at sea, and authorities have hampered efforts to allow media and supporters on board to visit the ship. (snip/...)


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=669&ncid=669&e=1&u=/031030/180/5pzus.html

[texastoast]

1. Here is the Greenpeace Email

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=106&topic_id=3577

[Pert_UK]

2. UK Guardian Link - US Puts Right to Protest at Risk

"John Passacantando, executive director of Greenpeace USA, said the prosecution could damage protest action.

"The government's action is unprecedented - prosecuting an entire organisation for the expressive activities of its supporters," he said. If it succeeded, he said: "Non-violent civil protest - an essential tradition from colonial times to the modern civil rights movement - may become yet another casualty of John Ashcroft's attack on civil liberties.

"Two hundred and thirty years ago American protesters boarded ships over objectionable cargo," he said. "It was called the Boston Tea Party, and it was critical to focusing colonists' objections to British rule... If such limited protests against commercial ships are banned, then acts of protest in malls, universities and public plazas will be next." "

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1074676,00.html

[goforit]

3. Way to go Greenpeace!!!

Do what ever you all can!!!