I write to thank your correspondent Peter Freeman for raising my stated view that sometimes, when conventional politics fails, there can be a case for non-violent direct action (NVDA) – and for giving me the opportunity directly to answer his challenge (Letters, March 13).
Indeed, I am happy to support, and on occasion join, those, from within all political parties and none, who have taken peaceful direct action – in the face of nuclear weapons, racism and apartheid, colonial oppression, war, poverty, terrorism and violence, and governments’ collective failure to cut greenhouse gas emissions and prevent runaway climate change.
Let’s be clear: Climate change threatens lives and livelihoods around the world. Camping outside a power station, or demonstrating against airport expansion, doesn’t.
International human rights law guarantees the rights of free expression and free association, especially in a political context. And indeed it was an essential component of campaigns to rid the world of slavery, and to give women the vote.
I will not distance myself from my statement encouraging people to take NVDA, where appropriate, as a legitimate tool when democratic means are failing to achieve a just and fair outcome. Surely this is the case when we’re talking about fuelling devastating climate change?
Caroline Lucas MEP,
(Green Party, South-East England)
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