COUNCIL: Statement against hate-based messaging

[Oscar]

Statement against hate-based messaging

[ https://canadians.org/blog/statement-ag ... -messaging ]

November 10, 2017 - 3:14 pm Council of Canadians

The Council of Canadians fully supports the work of our climate justice campaigner Andrea Harden-Donahue and deplores the misogynistic and violent threats she has recently received on Facebook. [ https://canadians.org/blog/resisting-climate-misogyny ]

Andrea has been a central figure in the Council's campaign to stop the Energy East tar sands pipeline because of the threats it posed to the the climate, drinking water and Indigenous rights. The hate messages directed at her appear to be driven through pro-tar sands Facebook sites and demonstrate a relationship between misogynist, racist, xenophobic and anti-immigrant social views and unfettered fossil fuel development.

Canadians have serious issues to work out and must do so in short order. The health of waterways and protection of drinking water, the needed transition to renewable energy and a sustainable economy, the full recognition of Indigenous rights, the reduction of carbon emissions, the rights of climate migrants, the protection of wild species, our safety from rising sea levels and extreme weather (fires, floods and storms) all require that we work quickly across differences. This is not going to be possible if bullying, harassment, personal attacks, sexism, racism or xenophobia get in the way of these crucial discussions.

The Council of Canadians rejects all hate-based messages and is committed to building the better, just and inclusive world we all know is possible.

We support and protect the ability of our staff and all activists to campaign and speak out to accomplish this vision.


The Council of Canadians' blog
[ https://canadians.org/blog/statement-ag ... -messaging ]