The Cry of the Xcluded and the Botshabelo Unemployed Movement (BUM) wishes to express its unwavering support for the fishing communities engaged in a critical legal battle against Shell at the Supreme Court of Appeals in Bloemfontein. This solidarity reaffirms our commitment to environmental justice, community empowerment, and the protection of livelihoods.
We will be picketing with fishing communities whose lives are in immediate peril due to the health of our oceans and waterways. These communities are facing a formidable adversary in their urgent quest for justice. Shell’s actions will not only jeopardise the delicate ecosystems upon which these communities depend but will also undermine their fundamental rights to a clean and healthy environment.
At the heart of our support lies a recognition of the interconnectedness of struggles against environmental degradation and economic disenfranchisement. We understand that the exploitation of natural resources often goes hand in hand with the exploitation of marginalized communities, exacerbating cycles of poverty and ecological devastation.
By supporting the fishing communities, we signal our defiance against corporate interests that prioritize profit over people and the planet. We refuse to stand idly by as multinational corporations trample upon community rights and desecrate our shared environment for short-term gain.
Furthermore, Cry X and BUM are not just offering words of support. We are actively pledging to amplify their voices, mobilize resources, and galvanize public support to ensure that justice prevails in the courtroom. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with these communities, advocating for their right to a dignified livelihood and a healthy environment free from corporate exploitation.
Lastly, we are calling upon all like-minded organizations, civil society, and concerned citizens to unite with us in solidarity with the fishing communities in their fight against Shell. Together, we can send a resounding message that no corporation is above the law and that the rights of communities and the environment must be upheld and protected at all costs. Join us tomorrow, 17 May, outside the Supreme Court of Appeals from 8:30 AM.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Mooketsi Diba, Botshabelo Unemployed Movement: 073 217 9686
Kenny Phaoane, Botshabelo Unemployed Movement: 073 621 7616
