Latest news with #RusselNorman
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
A Dawn Service To Commemorate The Bombing Of The Rainbow Warrior In Auckland
'You can't sink a rainbow.' The iconic Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior will sail into Auckland today to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the original Rainbow Warrior on 10 July 1985. A dawn ceremony of remembrance will be hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei on board the Rainbow Warrior from 7am on 10 July 2025 at Halsey Street Wharf in the Viaduct. Speakers include: Russel Norman, Greenpeace Aotearoa executive directorTui Warmenhoven, Ngati Porou, Greenpeace Aotearoa board chair Sharon Hawke, Ngāti Whātua ŌrākeiCarmen Gravatt, Greenpeace International programme director Stephanie Mills, former Greenpeace nuclear campaigner The Rainbow Warrior comes fresh from confronting bottom trawlers off the East Coast of New Zealand on the Chatham Rise, a biodiversity hotspot under threat from the destructive fishing practice of bottom trawling. Activists from the Rainbow Warrior painted the words Ocean Killer on a Talley's bottom trawling vessel and then again on a Sealord vessel. In response to the painting in June. Russel Norman says, 'The Rainbow Warrior's return to Aotearoa comes at a pivotal moment as the fight to protect our planet's fragile life-support systems has never been more urgent. 'On a planetary scale, climate change, ecosystem collapse, and accelerating species extinction pose an existential threat to us all, while here in Aotearoa, our Government is waging an all-out war on nature. 'As we remember the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior and the murder of Fernando Pereira onboard that night 40 years ago, it's important to remember why the French Government committed such an extreme act of violence. 'They targeted our ship because Greenpeace and the campaign to stop nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific were so effective. We posed a threat to the French Government's military programme and colonial power in the Pacific. 'And it's critical to remember that they failed to stop us. They failed to intimidate us, and they failed to silence us. 'We showed that you can't sink a rainbow. We showed that courage is contagious. Greenpeace only grew stronger and continued the successful campaign against nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific. 'That lesson is important because now, forty years on, we are just as effective, and it is the fossil fuel industry and the billionaire oligarchs who try to stop us. This time, not with bombs but with armies of lawyers and legal attacks of the kind that right now could threaten the very existence of Greenpeace in the US and beyond. 'But just like in 1985 when the French bombed our ship, now too in 2025, we are showing that we can not be intimidated, we will not back down, and we will not be silenced. 'The Rainbow Warrior has sailed ever since as a symbol of resistance in action. And we cannot be silenced because we are a movement of people committed to peace and to protecting Earth's ability to sustain life, protecting the blue oceans, the forests and the life we share this planet with,' says Norman. Following the anniversary, the Rainbow Warrior will be open to the public for tours and talks with the crew on the weekends of 12 July and 19th July. A multi-billion-dollar US-based oil pipeline company, Energy Transfer, has brought two back-to-back SLAPP suits against Greenpeace International and Greenpeace in the US, after Greenpeace US showed solidarity with the 2016 peaceful Indigenous-led protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The first case was dismissed, but the Greenpeace organisations continue to defend against the second case, which is ongoing after a North Dakota jury recently awarded over 660 million USD in damages to the pipeline giant.
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
A Dawn Service To Commemorate The Bombing Of The Rainbow Warrior In Auckland
"You can't sink a rainbow." The iconic Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior will sail into Auckland today to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the original Rainbow Warrior on 10 July 1985. A dawn ceremony of remembrance will be hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei on board the Rainbow Warrior from 7am on 10 July 2025 at Halsey Street Wharf in the Viaduct. Speakers include: Russel Norman, Greenpeace Aotearoa executive directorTui Warmenhoven, Ngati Porou, Greenpeace Aotearoa board chair Sharon Hawke, Ngāti Whātua ŌrākeiCarmen Gravatt, Greenpeace International programme director Stephanie Mills, former Greenpeace nuclear campaigner The Rainbow Warrior comes fresh from confronting bottom trawlers off the East Coast of New Zealand on the Chatham Rise, a biodiversity hotspot under threat from the destructive fishing practice of bottom trawling. Activists from the Rainbow Warrior painted the words Ocean Killer on a Talley's bottom trawling vessel and then again on a Sealord vessel. In response to the painting in June. Russel Norman says,"The Rainbow Warrior's return to Aotearoa comes at a pivotal moment as the fight to protect our planet's fragile life-support systems has never been more urgent. "On a planetary scale, climate change, ecosystem collapse, and accelerating species extinction pose an existential threat to us all, while here in Aotearoa, our Government is waging an all-out war on nature. "As we remember the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior and the murder of Fernando Pereira onboard that night 40 years ago, it's important to remember why the French Government committed such an extreme act of violence. "They targeted our ship because Greenpeace and the campaign to stop nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific were so effective. We posed a threat to the French Government's military programme and colonial power in the Pacific. "And it's critical to remember that they failed to stop us. They failed to intimidate us, and they failed to silence us. "We showed that you can't sink a rainbow. We showed that courage is contagious. Greenpeace only grew stronger and continued the successful campaign against nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific. "That lesson is important because now, forty years on, we are just as effective, and it is the fossil fuel industry and the billionaire oligarchs who try to stop us. This time, not with bombs but with armies of lawyers and legal attacks of the kind that right now could threaten the very existence of Greenpeace in the US and beyond. "But just like in 1985 when the French bombed our ship, now too in 2025, we are showing that we can not be intimidated, we will not back down, and we will not be silenced. "The Rainbow Warrior has sailed ever since as a symbol of resistance in action. And we cannot be silenced because we are a movement of people committed to peace and to protecting Earth's ability to sustain life, protecting the blue oceans, the forests and the life we share this planet with," says Norman. Following the anniversary, the Rainbow Warrior will be open to the public for tours and talks with the crew on the weekends of 12 July and 19th July. A multi-billion-dollar US-based oil pipeline company, Energy Transfer, has brought two back-to-back SLAPP suits against Greenpeace International and Greenpeace in the US, after Greenpeace US showed solidarity with the 2016 peaceful Indigenous-led protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The first case was dismissed, but the Greenpeace organisations continue to defend against the second case, which is ongoing after a North Dakota jury recently awarded over 660 million USD in damages to the pipeline giant.
Scoop
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Greenpeace International Begins Groundbreaking Anti-SLAPP Case To Protect Freedom Of Speech
In a landmark test case of the European Union's new legislation to protect freedom of expression and stop abusive lawsuits, Greenpeace International has overnight challenged the US oil pipeline company, Energy Transfer, in court in the Netherlands.[1] The multi-billion-dollar company brought two back-to-back SLAPP suits against Greenpeace International and Greenpeace in the US, after Greenpeace showed solidarity with the 2016 peaceful Indigenous-led protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The first case was dismissed, but the Greenpeace organisations continue to defend against the second case, which is ongoing, after a North Dakota jury recently awarded over 660 million USD in damages to the pipeline from Greenpeace International and allies were present outside the courthouse in Amsterdam for the first hearing in the case with a banner reading " ENERGY TRANSFER, WELCOME TO THE EU - WHERE FREE SPEECH IS STILL A THING". Mads Christensen, Executive Director, Greenpeace International, says:"Energy Transfer's attack on our right to protest is an attack on everyone's free speech. Greenpeace has been the target of threats, arrests and even bombs over the last 50 years and persevered. We will continue to resist all forms of intimidation and explore every option to hold Energy Transfer accountable for this attempt at abusing the justice system. This groundbreaking anti-SLAPP case against Energy Transfer in the Netherlands is just the beginning of defeating this bullying tactic being wielded by billionaires and fossil fuel giants trying to silence critics all over the world. Something absolutely vital is at stake here: people's ability to hold corporate polluters to account for the devastation they're causing." Russel Norman, Executive Director, Greenpeace Aotearoa, says:"The timing of this case is particularly poignant given that we are about to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior by agents of the French Government here in Auckland. The bombing was an act of desperation by the French Government in the face of our successful, people-powered campaign to end nuclear testing in the Pacific. "Forty years ago, we showed that we could not be intimidated. Greenpeace only grew stronger, and together with the nuclear-free Pacific movement, we put a stop to nuclear testing. Now, as Greenpeace International goes to court in Amsterdam, Energy Transfer would also like us - and all climate activists - to be afraid and to shut up - but once again, we will show that we will not be silenced."The lawsuit is an important test of the European Union's Anti-SLAPP Directive, adopted in April 2024.[2] The Directive is designed to protect journalists, activists, civil society organisations, or anyone else speaking out about matters of public concern, from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) - unfounded intimidation lawsuits brought by powerful corporations or wealthy individuals seeking to suppress public debate.[3] Since Greenpeace International is a Netherlands-based foundation and the damage caused by Energy Transfers's US SLAPP suit is occurring in the Netherlands, both Dutch and EU law apply. Amy Jacobsen, Senior Legal Counsel, Greenpeace International, says,"This case paves the way for protections from bullying lawsuits being implemented throughout Europe and beyond. The lawsuits that Energy Transfer have brought against Greenpeace International are the perfect example of the kind of abusive legal proceedings that the anti-SLAPP Directive is designed to protect against. By calling upon the EU anti-SLAPP Directive's protections, Greenpeace International refuses to allow the bullying tactics of wealthy fossil fuel corporations like Energy Transfer to compromise our fundamental free speech rights." Following a dawn ceremony on the 10 July 2025 in Auckland, the Rainbow Warrior will be open to the public for tours and talks with the crew on the weekends of 12 July and 19th July. Notes: [1] The new EU rules are aimed at addressing the growing number of abusive lawsuits against journalists, media outlets, environmental activists and human rights defenders. In February 2025, Greenpeace International initiated the first test of the European Union's anti-SLAPP Directive by filing a lawsuit in Dutch court against Energy Transfer. Greenpeace International seeks to recover all damages and costs it has suffered as a result of Energy Transfers's back-to-back, meritless lawsuits demanding hundreds of millions of dollars from Greenpeace International and the Greenpeace organisations in the US. [2] EU Member States have until 7 May 2026 at the latest to transpose the rules into their national laws, but the Dutch government has indicated that the Directive's protections can already be applied under existing Dutch legal frameworks. [3] Big Oil companies Shell, Total, and ENI have also filed SLAPPs against Greenpeace entities in recent years. Some of these cases have been successfully stopped in their tracks. This includes Greenpeace France successfully defeating TotalEnergies' SLAPP on 28 March 2024, and Greenpeace UK and Greenpeace International forcing Shell to back down from its SLAPP on 10 December 2024. Greenpeace Romania was being sued by the energy company Romgaz in 2025 - with the aim of dissolving the organisation, but their claims were withdrawn and they were forced to pay the court expenses to Greenpeace Romania. Greenpeace Italy and Greenpeace Netherlands are facing the Italian oil giant Eni in an ongoing court case in Italy.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Greenpeace Flagship Rainbow Warrior Returns For 40th Anniversary Of French Bombing In Auckland On 10 July
Press Release – Greenpeace In the 40 years since, the Rainbow Warrior has sailed on the front lines of our campaigns around the world to protect nature and promote peace. The iconic Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior will return to Aotearoa this year to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the original Rainbow Warrior at Marsden Wharf in Auckland by French government agents on 10th July 1985. Russel Norman says, 'The Rainbow Warrior's return to Aotearoa comes at a pivotal moment-when the fight to protect our planet's fragile life-support systems has never been as urgent, or more critical. 'Here in Aotearoa, the Luxon Government is waging an all-out war on nature, and on a planetary scale, climate change, ecosystem collapse, and accelerating species extinction pose an existential threat. 'As we remember the bombing and the murder of our crew member, Fernando Pereira, it's important to remember why the French Government was compelled to commit such a cowardly act of violence. 'Our ship was targeted because Greenpeace and the campaign to stop nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific were so effective. We posed a very real threat to the French Government's military programme and colonial power. 'It's also critical to remember that they failed to stop us. They failed to intimidate us, and they failed to silence us. Greenpeace only grew stronger and continued the successful campaign against nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific. 'Forty years later, it's the oil industry that's trying to stop us. This time, not with bombs but with a legal attack that threatens the existence of Greenpeace in the US and beyond. 'But just like in 1985 when the French bombed our ship, now too in 2025, we will not be intimidated, we will not back down, and we will not be silenced. 'We cannot be silenced because we are a movement of people committed to peace and to protecting Earth's ability to sustain life, protecting the blue oceans, the forests and the life we share this planet with,' says Norman. 'In the 40 years since, the Rainbow Warrior has sailed on the front lines of our campaigns around the world to protect nature and promote peace. In the fight to end oil exploration, turn the tide of plastic production, stop the destruction of ancient forests and protect the ocean, the Rainbow Warrior has been there to this day. 'Right now the Rainbow Warrior is preparing to sail through the Tasman Sea to expose the damage being done to ocean life, continuing a decades-long tradition of defending ocean health,' says Norman. This follows the Rainbow Warrior spending six weeks in the Marshall Islands where the original ship carried out Operation Exodus, in which the Greenpeace crew evacuated the people of Rongelap from their home island that had been made uninhabitable by nuclear weapons testing by the US Government. In Auckland this year, several events will be held on and around the ship to mark the anniversary, including open days with tours of the ship for the public.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Greenpeace Flagship Rainbow Warrior Returns For 40th Anniversary Of French Bombing In Auckland On 10 July
Press Release – Greenpeace In the 40 years since, the Rainbow Warrior has sailed on the front lines of our campaigns around the world to protect nature and promote peace. The iconic Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior will return to Aotearoa this year to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the original Rainbow Warrior at Marsden Wharf in Auckland by French government agents on 10th July 1985. Russel Norman says, 'The Rainbow Warrior's return to Aotearoa comes at a pivotal moment-when the fight to protect our planet's fragile life-support systems has never been as urgent, or more critical. 'Here in Aotearoa, the Luxon Government is waging an all-out war on nature, and on a planetary scale, climate change, ecosystem collapse, and accelerating species extinction pose an existential threat. 'As we remember the bombing and the murder of our crew member, Fernando Pereira, it's important to remember why the French Government was compelled to commit such a cowardly act of violence. 'Our ship was targeted because Greenpeace and the campaign to stop nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific were so effective. We posed a very real threat to the French Government's military programme and colonial power. 'It's also critical to remember that they failed to stop us. They failed to intimidate us, and they failed to silence us. Greenpeace only grew stronger and continued the successful campaign against nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific. 'Forty years later, it's the oil industry that's trying to stop us. This time, not with bombs but with a legal attack that threatens the existence of Greenpeace in the US and beyond. 'But just like in 1985 when the French bombed our ship, now too in 2025, we will not be intimidated, we will not back down, and we will not be silenced. 'We cannot be silenced because we are a movement of people committed to peace and to protecting Earth's ability to sustain life, protecting the blue oceans, the forests and the life we share this planet with,' says Norman. 'In the 40 years since, the Rainbow Warrior has sailed on the front lines of our campaigns around the world to protect nature and promote peace. In the fight to end oil exploration, turn the tide of plastic production, stop the destruction of ancient forests and protect the ocean, the Rainbow Warrior has been there to this day. 'Right now the Rainbow Warrior is preparing to sail through the Tasman Sea to expose the damage being done to ocean life, continuing a decades-long tradition of defending ocean health,' says Norman. This follows the Rainbow Warrior spending six weeks in the Marshall Islands where the original ship carried out Operation Exodus, in which the Greenpeace crew evacuated the people of Rongelap from their home island that had been made uninhabitable by nuclear weapons testing by the US Government. In Auckland this year, several events will be held on and around the ship to mark the anniversary, including open days with tours of the ship for the public.
