Jul 31, 2012
The RCPM report, citing recent protests by Greenpeace, says that recent bold actions by the group "highlight the need to be prepared for potential threats to the safety and security of offshore oil and gas platforms."
"Greenpeace is opposed to the development of Canada's Arctic region, as well as Canada's offshore petroleum industry." the report says. "Criminal activity by Green-peace activists typically consists of trespassing, mischief, and vandalism, and often requires a law enforcement response." And added: "Tactics employed by activist groups are intended to intimidate and have the potential to escalate to violence."
"In a rational world and society, the RCMP would investigate Enbridge, Shell and others that have a long history of violating human rights and safety in their rush to fill their pockets with enormous wealth; instead the RCMP suggests an environmental organization such as Greenpeace is a threat to peace." --Yossi Cadan, Greenpeace Canada
But Greenpeace, in an interview with the Vancouver Sun, says this is ridiculous, that they are and have always been non-violent and if any individuals or groups should be investigated or curtailed it's the oil and gas companies who are expanding their resource extraction projects to ever-more difficult -- and therefore more dangerous -- locations, such as the tar sands of Alberta and arctic water drilling operations.
Yossi Cadan, campaigns director for Greenpeace Canada, said while group members sometimes trespass on private property to make their point, the group shuns violence.
"In a rational world and society, the RCMP would investigate Enbridge, Shell and others that have a long history of violating human rights and safety in their rush to fill their pockets with enormous wealth; instead the RCMP suggests an environmental organization such as Greenpeace is a threat to peace.
"For 40 years Greenpeace has never behaved violently. We have a proven record of maintaining the highest degree of safety in all our activities. This accusation is reckless, we are not.
"We are taking direct actions, but it's never violent," he said, adding "safety is a No. 1 priority for us. There is a difference between breaking the law and criminal activities," Cadan added.
"It's true that the distance between the government policy and the environmental movement is growing, but I don't think that the movement is get-ting more radical."
It seems like anyone who disagrees with the government on subjects such as the Alberta oilsands "has become an enemy in many ways," he said.
Cadan accused the federal government of trying to avoid the real issues by publicly attacking opponents. "It's not going to work because we are going to continue and focus on the environmental issues."
On Tuesday, in what seemed like a direct rebuke to Canadian authorities, Greenpeace International executive director Kumi Naidoo tweeted:
\u201cThose with power: don't think that you\u2019re going to intimidate us threatening violence, laws & restrictions. Forget it is my message to you\u201d— Kumi Naidoo (@Kumi Naidoo) 1343745362
# # #
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
The RCPM report, citing recent protests by Greenpeace, says that recent bold actions by the group "highlight the need to be prepared for potential threats to the safety and security of offshore oil and gas platforms."
"Greenpeace is opposed to the development of Canada's Arctic region, as well as Canada's offshore petroleum industry." the report says. "Criminal activity by Green-peace activists typically consists of trespassing, mischief, and vandalism, and often requires a law enforcement response." And added: "Tactics employed by activist groups are intended to intimidate and have the potential to escalate to violence."
"In a rational world and society, the RCMP would investigate Enbridge, Shell and others that have a long history of violating human rights and safety in their rush to fill their pockets with enormous wealth; instead the RCMP suggests an environmental organization such as Greenpeace is a threat to peace." --Yossi Cadan, Greenpeace Canada
But Greenpeace, in an interview with the Vancouver Sun, says this is ridiculous, that they are and have always been non-violent and if any individuals or groups should be investigated or curtailed it's the oil and gas companies who are expanding their resource extraction projects to ever-more difficult -- and therefore more dangerous -- locations, such as the tar sands of Alberta and arctic water drilling operations.
Yossi Cadan, campaigns director for Greenpeace Canada, said while group members sometimes trespass on private property to make their point, the group shuns violence.
"In a rational world and society, the RCMP would investigate Enbridge, Shell and others that have a long history of violating human rights and safety in their rush to fill their pockets with enormous wealth; instead the RCMP suggests an environmental organization such as Greenpeace is a threat to peace.
"For 40 years Greenpeace has never behaved violently. We have a proven record of maintaining the highest degree of safety in all our activities. This accusation is reckless, we are not.
"We are taking direct actions, but it's never violent," he said, adding "safety is a No. 1 priority for us. There is a difference between breaking the law and criminal activities," Cadan added.
"It's true that the distance between the government policy and the environmental movement is growing, but I don't think that the movement is get-ting more radical."
It seems like anyone who disagrees with the government on subjects such as the Alberta oilsands "has become an enemy in many ways," he said.
Cadan accused the federal government of trying to avoid the real issues by publicly attacking opponents. "It's not going to work because we are going to continue and focus on the environmental issues."
On Tuesday, in what seemed like a direct rebuke to Canadian authorities, Greenpeace International executive director Kumi Naidoo tweeted:
\u201cThose with power: don't think that you\u2019re going to intimidate us threatening violence, laws & restrictions. Forget it is my message to you\u201d— Kumi Naidoo (@Kumi Naidoo) 1343745362
# # #
The RCPM report, citing recent protests by Greenpeace, says that recent bold actions by the group "highlight the need to be prepared for potential threats to the safety and security of offshore oil and gas platforms."
"Greenpeace is opposed to the development of Canada's Arctic region, as well as Canada's offshore petroleum industry." the report says. "Criminal activity by Green-peace activists typically consists of trespassing, mischief, and vandalism, and often requires a law enforcement response." And added: "Tactics employed by activist groups are intended to intimidate and have the potential to escalate to violence."
"In a rational world and society, the RCMP would investigate Enbridge, Shell and others that have a long history of violating human rights and safety in their rush to fill their pockets with enormous wealth; instead the RCMP suggests an environmental organization such as Greenpeace is a threat to peace." --Yossi Cadan, Greenpeace Canada
But Greenpeace, in an interview with the Vancouver Sun, says this is ridiculous, that they are and have always been non-violent and if any individuals or groups should be investigated or curtailed it's the oil and gas companies who are expanding their resource extraction projects to ever-more difficult -- and therefore more dangerous -- locations, such as the tar sands of Alberta and arctic water drilling operations.
Yossi Cadan, campaigns director for Greenpeace Canada, said while group members sometimes trespass on private property to make their point, the group shuns violence.
"In a rational world and society, the RCMP would investigate Enbridge, Shell and others that have a long history of violating human rights and safety in their rush to fill their pockets with enormous wealth; instead the RCMP suggests an environmental organization such as Greenpeace is a threat to peace.
"For 40 years Greenpeace has never behaved violently. We have a proven record of maintaining the highest degree of safety in all our activities. This accusation is reckless, we are not.
"We are taking direct actions, but it's never violent," he said, adding "safety is a No. 1 priority for us. There is a difference between breaking the law and criminal activities," Cadan added.
"It's true that the distance between the government policy and the environmental movement is growing, but I don't think that the movement is get-ting more radical."
It seems like anyone who disagrees with the government on subjects such as the Alberta oilsands "has become an enemy in many ways," he said.
Cadan accused the federal government of trying to avoid the real issues by publicly attacking opponents. "It's not going to work because we are going to continue and focus on the environmental issues."
On Tuesday, in what seemed like a direct rebuke to Canadian authorities, Greenpeace International executive director Kumi Naidoo tweeted:
\u201cThose with power: don't think that you\u2019re going to intimidate us threatening violence, laws & restrictions. Forget it is my message to you\u201d— Kumi Naidoo (@Kumi Naidoo) 1343745362
# # #
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.