Last week, ten of our GreenFaith Circle leaders in rural Tanzania were detained by police for three days.
Their “crime”? They had met with Rev. Fletcher Harper, our Director, when he visited them in February to learn about their courageous work opposing the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline.
Their detention was an act of harassment and intimidation.
Sign the open letter calling for a stop to this injustice.
As if it wasn't enough that these ten innocent people of faith, who live in pastoralist communities, were detained, their phones were also taken away, leaving them with no means of communication.
Why? Because they spoke out peacefully and publicly about their opposition to a fossil fuel project that has taken away their homes and the land they farm to sustain their families.
Our Circle leaders’ faith gave them the courage to say no. Because of that, they were thrown into jail.
In the face of a climate emergency, this repression of free speech is a disgrace. It needs to stop.
We have responded by supporting these courageous people of faith and securing their release.
Now, we are mounting an international effort to tell the Tanzanian government, the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), and TotalEnergies (the corporations behind the pipeline project) that we will not stand for this illegal, immoral behavior.
We must ensure those who stand faithfully and courageously for a just climate future are protected.
With faithful resolve,
Meryne Warah
Global Organizing Director
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