Posted by Psilocybin at 3:35pm Oct 2 '24 My friends at Avaaz,
I write from Uganda, where I'm scared to even show my face.
The oil giant Total is building one of the biggest pipelines in the world, tearing through forests, rivers, and right through my small farm. It's become dangerous to speak out -- people like me are getting beaten, abducted, and arrested.
They say this pipeline will help Africans, but I wonder who they mean. 100,000 of us are about to lose our homes so oil bosses can get even richer. I'm a single mother, and without my farm, I can't afford food for my children.
Over 1 million of you signed a petition to stop this monster pipeline, and helped convince Total’s biggest bank to walk away -- thank you. Now we have a small window to defeat this pipeline for good.
Our case is about to start at one of Africa’s highest courts -- their decision could stop this pipeline in its tracks! The judges want to hear our stories of harassment and the destruction of our farms, but the court is far away, and many of us can’t even afford the bus. I'm humbly asking for your help.
If we raise enough, small farmers like me could travel to court and our legal teams can prepare for the hearing. We could provide support for the dozens of people who’ve been arrested for peacefully protesting this pipeline, and Avaaz could hire international media experts to make sure judges know the world cares about our case.
Help us reclaim our land, and all of our futures. Donate what you can now:
I'LL DONATE $2
I'LL DONATE $4
I'LL DONATE $8
I'LL DONATE $16
I'LL DONATE $32
OTHER AMOUNT
The 1440-km long pipeline (900 miles) will cross 200 rivers and 12 protected forests, and one big oil spill could poison the drinking water for 40 million people. Bulldozers have already started ripping up Uganda’s biggest national park, home to endangered giraffes, elephants, and more. But we have a chance to help stop it, right now.
Some people think Uganda needs oil to develop, but this is a trap. My own village has used solar power for years. As a farmer, I have already seen how a hotter climate has changed rainy and dry seasons, killing our crops. Anything that makes this worse can never be good for our country.
Nearly 100 people have been arrested for trying to stop this pipeline. Even our lawyers have had to hire security for protection. With your help, Avaaz could:
Challenge the huge crude oil pipeline ripping through our land -- bring our voices into the courtroom and support the legal teams as they prepare for the upcoming hearing at the East African Court of Justice;
Fund an emergency ‘lawyers' brigade’ -- help free activists in custody and get justice for those wrongfully detained, and respond to future arrests;
Bring international attention to these injustices -- hire media experts to cover the hearing, land grabs, and arrests, and let the judges know the world is watching; and
Empower Avaaz campaigners to defend land rights alongside Indigenous and frontline communities, and continue the fight to protect life on Earth.
Together, we can stop these oil giants and get justice for families like mine -- donate what you can now:
I'LL DONATE $2
I'LL DONATE $4
I'LL DONATE $8
I'LL DONATE $16
I'LL DONATE $32
OTHER AMOUNT
I know that Avaaz is no stranger to using the power of the law. Right now, you are helping to stop the forced eviction of Maasai communities -- and your support was crucial in the historic ruling that protected 500,000 acres of Amazon rainforest from oil extraction. Now, I’m asking you to stand with farmers like me in Uganda and Tanzania as we fight to protect our lands, and with them the futures of all our children.
With hope and determination,
"Mary", with the whole team at Avaaz
P.S. In the days since we took this photo of "Mary", the situation has become even more dangerous. For her family's safety, we're using a pseudonym and have blurred her picture. We know of at least 96 people in Uganda who have been beaten, kidnapped or arrested for speaking up against Total's pipeline in East Africa.
Why our support matters, right now
We have to stop this ‘carbon bomb’ – This pipeline will fuel climate chaos, emitting 25 times the annual emissions of Uganda and Tanzania combined. But our donations can help the families and farmers fighting to stop it.
It’s an ecological nightmare – It will rip through some of the world's most important elephant, lion and chimpanzee reserves -- all before giant ships transport the oil through mangrove forests and over coral reefs. Every pipeline is an oil spill waiting to happen.
Our donations will make a real difference – Up against one of the most powerful companies on Earth, we can help "Mary" and her community as they march into court.
PS. This might be your first donation to our movement ever. But what a first donation! Did you know that Avaaz relies entirely on small donations from members like you? That's why we're fully independent, nimble and effective. Join the over 1 million people who've donated to make Avaaz a real force for good in the world.
More information:
Outrage Over Kidnapping of East African Pipeline Opponent (Yale Environment 360)
Uganda: Oil Pipeline Project Impoverishes Thousands (Human Rights Watch)
NGO reports 'human rights disaster' at Uganda oil project (France 24)
An Oil Rush Threatens Natural Splendors Across East Africa (The New York Times)
Uganda: Crackdown on activists protesting against large-scale oil projects (International Federation for Human Rights)