On 19 March 2021, climate activist Orla Murphy (19) carried out a protest action at the Department of Foreign Affairs to highlight the disparity between what the Irish government is saying about the climate crisis, and what it is doing, spray painting the words “no more empty promises” on the front of the building while Zac Lumley (21) recorded the protest.
The reaction of the gardaí, the courts and the public prosecutor has been exceptionally harsh. Scandalously harsh bail conditions were applied, with the two protesters having to pay €3,000, sign in every day at a police station, and being banned from Dublin city centre in Zac’s case and the whole of Dublin in Orla’s case. Zac spent 3 days in prison on account of being unable to post bail, whilst Orla who refused to sign these scandalous conditions spent 5 weeks in prison. Both now face very serious charges of criminal damage, which can potentially carry a custodial sentence.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1) Spread the word
Tell your friends and family about Orla & Zac’s case, send them the petition to sign and share.
2) Sign the Petition
https://www.change.org/p/director-of-public-prosecutions-climate-protest-is-not-a-crime
3) Sign the Solidarity Statement
People Before Profit stands in full solidarity with climate activists facing criminal charges. We are sharing the following statement of support. Please fill out the form below if you would like to add your name to the statement:
https://forms.gle/5fNdf1hCAdLzhRiZ8
We, ecosocialists, trade unionists, environmental scientists and advocates, climate justice activists and organisations call on the state to drop the charges against Orla Murphy and Zac Lumley. Their brave act of nonviolent civil disobedience, painting “No more empty promises” on the Department of Foreign Affairs on 28 March, 2021, was not a crime. It was an act of political protest against a state that has refused to follow the science and take the necessary action to rapidly reduce carbon emissions and halt the destruction to our ecosystems.
Ireland has missed target after target, racking up millions of euros in fines and condemning the poorest, most vulnerable people to extreme weather events, famine, and an uncertain future. Already millions of people are killed, displaced, or suffer deprivation from climate-related disasters. The people most affected today, and who will be most impacted in the future, are those who contributed the least to climate change.
The real crime is acknowledging that business as usual would result in potential societal collapse, declaring a climate and biodiversity *emergency,*but then doing virtually nothing to address it.
Orla Murphy and Zac Lumley were right to draw attention to the “empty promises” of the government and to demand they take immediate action. We need more people willing to stand up and call out the empty promises of “net-zero by 2050”.
We also note with serious concern how, rather than taking the necessary actions to reduce emissions, governments worldwide are instead introducing legislation to increase penalties against protestors. It’s clear they want to send a signal to anyone else who dares to draw attention to their inaction.
Protest is not a crime. In a time of mounting ecological and social emergencies, with few precious years to act, we must stand with those who dare to resist and join them in bringing attention to the failures of this government and governments around the world.
We demand:
Drop the charges against Orla Murphy and Zac Lumley
Immediate action to reduce emissions – no more empty promises
_________________________________
Bríd Smith, People Before Profit TD
Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD
RISE
People Before Profit
Karen Smith, Lecturer in Equality Studies
John Molyneux, People Before Profit, Environment Caucus Convenor and Global Ecosocialist Network Coordinator
Cllr. Tina MacVeigh, People Before Profit
Theresa O’Donohoe
Ailbhe Smyth, Climate Justice Coalition Ireland
Saoirse Sheehy Ariff – Postrgaduate Researcher UCD
Paul McCormack Cooney / Parent / Extinction Rebellion
Thomas Pringle TD
Gerry Carroll MLA
Natasha Ariff Self-employed Landscape Architect
Michela
Extinction Rebellion Ireland
Brian O’Boyle, TUI
Cllr Madeleine Johansson
Laura Kehoe, University of Oxford
Senator Eileen Flynn
Adrian Curran, People Before Profit
Sarah Hayes Extinction Rebellion
Jess Spear, National Organiser, RISE
Adrienne Wallace PBP Cllr
Barry McMullin
Ruth Coppinger
Devin Quinn, RISE / People Before Profit
Idil Bilgic/Auditor/UCD Women+ in STEM
Colin Coulter, Professor of Sociology, Maynooth University
Robert Wade, PhD researcher, Queen’s University Belfast
Rosie Meade, Lecturer, Cork, Ireland
Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, People Before Profit
John Barry, Professor, Queen’s University Belfast, University and College Union
Des Hennelly, People Before Profit
Kevin Handy, Extinction Rebellion Ireland
Memet Uludag
Patrick Bresnihan, Lecturer, Maynooth University
Darragh Adelaide
David Regan, Member, BECTU
Ruth Flood, People Before Proft
Tim Hannon PBP Clare
Kate Mooney Teachers Union of Ireland
Rohana Perera
Liam Butler, People Before Profit, Orla’s Classmate.
Laura Fahy
Petra Sheehan
Eliya Lavine
Collette O’Hagan, PBP, Unite the Union.
Steph Hanlon – Lecturer in Social, Political & Community Studies
Ailbhe Finegan, Solicitor
Katy Smyth
Anne Lawton Teacher INTO
Catriona Griffin
Richard Boyd Barrett TD
Cllr Melisa Halpin
Francis O’Reilly
Róisín McAleer
Patrick Rogerson
Róisín McAleer/APAN
Amelia Conophy
Gweebarra Conservation Group
Emma Hendrick
Meryl McGowan
Caroline Kuyper Extinction Rebellion Derry/Donegal
Vincent Kavanagh
Olivia Byrne/ PhD researcher
Kellie McConnell, People Before Profit, FORSA
Tom Roche – Founder Just Forests
National Animal Rights Association
Julia Hammond, Unison Rebel Elders (XR)
Fiona Boyd PBP SWN
Saoirse McHugh
Councillor Gino O’Boyle
Michael Cronin TCD
Róisín Cellarius
Ewelina Smolen
Aoife O’Sullivan, UCD undergraduate Science Student
suzanne kearney, artist and teacher
Holly English
Dr Camilla Fitzsimons
Ronan Browne, Mobilise Peace
Ronan Browne
Bhavini Patel , XR Hackney
Emma Ryan, science student UCD
Joe Moore, Anti Deportation Ireland
Patsy Moran
Cllr Kieran Mahon – Socialist Party
Cllr Melisa Halpin, People Before Profit
Richard Boyd Barrett TD, People Before Profit
VinuthaShivakumar
Cllr. Liam Sinclair – An Rabharta Glas
Fiona Boyd
Darryl Horan, Campaigns Officer UCD Students’ Union
Philomena Foster, RISE/PBP Cases Worker
Bernie D’Arcy
Dr Caroline Vincent, Scientists for XR
Dr Ines Smyth, humanitarian worker
Tracey Mallaghan – insulate Britain
Matt Jones
Sian Aubrey
Emilio Maira People Before Profit
Zoe Cohen, activist and mother
Fig O’Cinnéide, Activist with XRI
Jack Cummins
Mel Clarke
Nicola Stickells
Lucy Porter XR.UK
Erika Curren individual
Jacqueline Rukin
Phil Croxton
Lesley Fitt
Richard Ecclestone, Police Liaison, XRUK
Liam Geary Baulch Extinction Rebellion UK
Neil Scott, XR St Ives
Reb Spring, International Ambassador, Extinction Rebellion DC
Timothy Snell, BA Hons, MArch, AFHEA, Architectural designer
Henning Jeschke
Pam Williams Extinction Rebellion Cymru
Holly S Extinction Rebellion UK
Anita Chandler, member of Unison, Haringey branch
Susan Sidey Retired
Anita Chandler, Unison, Haringey branch member
Private individual
John Knowles
Glenys Gibbons, owner, Holiday cottage
Roger Gibbons, owner, Holiday cottage
Rebecca Coombes Extinction Rebellion
Jemma Knowles
Georgia Stynes, Secondary school teacher
David SmartKnight
Sophie Brazil
Clare Norrish
Caroline Vasseur, community development worker
László Molnárfi, Chairperson of Students4Change
Growing Together Ireland
Roz Bird
Lizzy Stroud, company director, Railholiday
Susan Reid