PledgeBank Everywhere
I’ll do it, but only if you’ll help

Pledge “Drax29legalfund”

"I will contribute £20 to the legal costs of the 'Drax 29' but only if 49 other people will do the same."

— Shaun Chamberlin (contact)

Deadline to sign up by: 31^st August 2009
78 people signed up (29 over target)

Country: United Kingdom

More details
Last summer 29 people stopped a train containing 1,000 tonnes of coal on its way to Drax power station in Yorkshire.

They stopped the train with a red flag on a stretch of track which only went to Drax, following standard railway safety rules, boarded it, and began shovelling the coal onto the line, in protest at the deaths already being caused by climate change.

Burning coal is the biggest cause of climate change, and Drax is the biggest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK.

All 29 were arrested and are charged with 'Obstructing the railway', possibly facing up to 2 years in prison. Their trial started in Leeds Crown Court on Monday 29 June 2009.

Please read their deeply inspiring closing statement from the courtroom:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/20...

After doing so, I felt compelled to contribute to supporting them. They have put themselves and their families on the line for those who have no voice. If I can lessen the financial burden it seems the very least I can do to show my support and admiration.

Please join the pledge and encourage your friends to do the same. Of course, if the 'Drax 29' are found "not guilty" and have no legal costs to pay, this pledge will be cancelled.

Comments on this pledge

• For more information and regular updates on the Drax 29's court case, go to: http://tiny.cc/drax
  Shaun Chamberlin, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Is someone going to let us know where to send the money? x
  Iris Andrews, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• @ Iris
  The creator of the pledge gets to chase us all up by email after the required minimum number of pledges is achieved.
  In the meantime you can pay early by following the link Shaun's given in his comment above
  steve d, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• I'm pledging £29. From my children and me, thank you.
  Ruth Jarman, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Also pledging £29, one pound for each of the Drax29
  Paul Graham Morris, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• My first reaction on reading the article today in The Guardian was "surely we must help to fund these peoples' court costs, otherwise we ARE truly apathetic about the whole thing". Thank you Shaun for kicking this off!
  Alan Johnson, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Thanks for getting this going Shaun. As the piece in the Guardian said the Drax29 really are 'the conscience of the nation' aren't they?
  Richard Barnett, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Do the crime, pay the fine.
  Angry Steve, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• That judge's decision gets my vote as the most morally bankrupt decision this decade.
  Ben Brangwyn, 8 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• A handful of people have contacted me saying that they signed the pledge but did not receive the email with details on how to pay. In most cases this can be found in your email junk folder, but alternatively it is copied below:
  
  --
  Hello all,
  
  Big thanks for signing our successful pledge, from me and from the Drax 29.
  
  As we now have more than 50 signatories it's donation time (with big thanks to those who already donated ahead of time). Needless to say, no money should come to me.
  
  I have donated following the instructions on the Drax 29's website (http://tiny.cc/drax) and you should do the same. They have supplied bank details so you should be able to organise a direct transfer from your bank account. Details below:
  
  Midlands Conservation Club
  Sort Code 30-98-00
  Account number 02911400
  
  Along with a number of our signatories I have actually donated £29 as a symbolic gesture for the 29 activists, but of course feel free to donate the £20 you have committed to. Also, don't forget to tick the box on PledgeBank to confirm that you have fulfilled your pledge.
  
  Any problems or queries please feel free to contact me through my website at: www.darkoptimism.org
  Shaun Chamberlin, 6 months ago. Abusive? Report it!
• Like all such actions,those who actioned can only but smile and those who actioned against,never have.
  Andrew Webster, 6 months ago. Abusive? Report it!