Environmental Justice
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Bidder 70 screens Saturday at Power Shift

October 19, 2013 BY Molly Murphy

Bidder 70 Saturday, 11:30am in room 406
Q&A with Peaceful Uprising

Bidder 70 centers on an extraordinary, ingenious and effective act of civil disobedience demanding government and industry accountability. In 2008, University of Utah economics student Tim DeChristopher committed an act which would redefine patriotism in our time, igniting a spirit of civil disobedience in the name of climate justice.

The film will be screened at Power Shift as part of the Reel Power film series today at 11:30 in room 406 with a Q&A with Peaceful Uprising advisory board member Lauren Wood.

The film is being used on campuses as part of the students’ fossil fuel divestment campaigns, including Harvard where Tim DeChristopher is now attending divinity school.

Although, last week, Harvard University President, Drew Faust, justified the university’s decision not to divest from the energy industry saying: “Harvard fights climate change through its research on it; Harvard needs fossil fuels to run its campus, so isn’t divesting disingenuous?  Harvard should be an academic institution, not a political one.”

Tim’s response: “Drew Faust seeks a position of neutrality in a struggle where the powerful only ask that people like her remain neutral… She touts all the great research on climate change that is done at Harvard, but she ignores the fact that the fossil fuel industry actively works to suppress or distort every one of those efforts.”

Tim at PS2011“The students’ call for divestment was a call for help by the young people who will reap the consequences of the climate crisis.”Tim DeChristopher

Bidder 70 has earned over 20 awards at film festivals and screened in communities churches, schools and colleges motivating groups and individuals to engage in peaceful direct action to secure a livable, sustainable future. Watch the film, discuss the issues and sign up to bring the film and filmmakers to your campus, community or place of worship. Bringing Tim DeChristopher’s message of courage and commitment, Bidder 70 inspires individuals and groups to work together to create the change they want to see.

Find more about Reel Power films at Reel-Power.org.

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