[ad_1]
The environmental movement Just Stop Oil is funded by a US based organisation called the Climate Emergency Fund (CEF). The wealthy heiress Aileen Getty is one of the members of the board at the organisation. The 65-year-old is the granddaughter of J Paul Getty, founder of the oil dynasty that at one time made him the wealthiest man in the world.
Ms Getty helped set up the non-profit organisation in 2020, which distributes funds to environmental groups that agitate for change through civil disobedience campaigns.
The CEF donated nearly £1million this year to Just Stop Oil, according to a report in The Times.
Because the Just Stop Oil movement is not registered as a charity or company, it is not legally obliged to declare any donations it receives.
Ms Getty backed eco activists in their militant campaigns, which have often resulted in widespread disruption to civil society.
She said: “Disruptive climate activism is, I would argue, the single most underfunded area in philanthropy and a tremendous opportunity.
“We are out of time for anything other than rapid, comprehensive climate action.”
The CEF includes a number of famous and wealthy people among its board.
These include Academy Award-winning film director Adam McKay and Rory Kennedy – a daughter of the assassinated senator Robert Kennedy.
The fund’s webpage claims that “gradualism has failed. But activism works”.
Additionally, they “support the organisations who tell the truth, demand transformation at emergency speed, and put everything on the line to protect humanity and the living world.”
The CEF said it had made $4 million (£3.5m) in grants to “39 brave, ultra-ambitious groups” in 2022.
READ MORE: Richard Hammond perfectly rips apart Just Stop Oil protest
A large part of its money goes to the “A22 Network” — a global coalition founded by the British organisations Just Stop Oil and Insulate Britain.
Just Stop Oil was set up in February and wants the UK government to halt all future licensing for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels.
It has featured prominently in the news in recent days and weeks, due to some of its activities.
Over the past week, the eco group has blocked roads, sprayed paint on Scotland Yard and Harrods, and chucked soup over Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers at the National Gallery in London.
The activists also forced the closure of the Dartford Crossing, after some members spent two days last week suspended in hammocks above the bridge.
DON’T MISS
Just Stop Oil vows more disruption saying ‘we’re not stopping’ [NEWS]
Two Just Stop Oil protesters held over bridge chaos [REVEAL]
Chris Packham divides fans by defending Van Gogh defacing activistnn [SPOTLIGHT]
The UK government is seeking to put an end to the disruption caused by eco activists through a new public order bill.
The bill takes aim at “criminal, disruptive and self-defeating guerrilla tactics” used by groups such as Just Stop Oil and Insulate Britain.
It seeks to introduce stiff penalties for “lock-on” protests, as well as new offences of interfering with key national infrastructure, obstructing major transport works and causing serious disruption by tunnelling.
In a briefing this week, the civil rights organisation Liberty described the public order bill as “a staggering attack on our right to protest”.
Its director, Martha Spurrier, said: “Protest is a fundamental right, not a gift from the state.
“But our right to protest continues to be attacked by a government intent on making it harder for people to stand up for the causes they believe in.”
[ad_2]
Source link
