Society

Remember Saro-Wiwa – Free the Arctic 30

This week, eighteen years after his death, we remember Ken Saro-Wiwa, and the many environmental defenders who have followed him.

You might not know Saro-Wiwa, but for several of us, his struggle was pivotal and inspirational in our lives. In 1990, Saro-Wiwa launched a non-violent movement for social and ecological justice in his Ogoni homeland in the Niger Delta.

The movement he led revealed the collaboration between the Nigerian military and Shell in polluting his land and conducting a genocidal series of attacks against the peoples of the Delta. The movement was so effective, that by 1993 Shell had to pull out of Ogoni.

The response – by Shell and the military government of Nigeria – was to frame him for murder and execute him. Several years ago, rather than face trial for these accusations, Shell settled a lawsuit for millions of dollars.

Eighteen years ago today, the hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa dramatically and tragically illustrated the true price of oil. Nine men were hanged on the morning of November 10, 1995, in the yard of Nigeria’s Port Harcourt prison.

Witnesses reported that Saro-Wiwa’s last words were, “Lord take my soul, but the struggle continues.”

It has. Today, we see Saro-Wiwa’s legacy everywhere – from activists blockading the Keystone XL pipeline in Texas, to people defending their land from fracking and their coasts from tankers, to 30 Greenpeace activists standing in the way of drilling in the Arctic.

Eighteen years ago, we implored Shell to use their influence in Nigeria to make a difference. They refused, maintaining that they had no influence over the Nigerian government.

Today, we again are asking Shell to intervene on behalf of imprisoned activists. Shell is involved in a joint venture in the Russian Arctic. Their influence with the Russian government could make a difference for 30 peaceful activists imprisoned for their activism. Again, Shell says they can’t do anything, and they’re not involved.

But they are. Please join us in demanding Shell to do today what they wouldn’t do 18 years ago – defend our right to peacefully protest.

Thank you for taking action today.

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