MCC joins nation wide protest, upholds the cause of Arctic 30
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 16, 2013 :
Manipur Cycle Club (MCC) today joined Greenpeace India in a nationwide protest for 30 hours in 30 cities across the globe, appealing for the release of of the 30 people arrested for protesting against oil drilling in the Arctic.
While Greenpeace India began 30-hour protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi to show solidarity with the 30 people who have been arrested in Russia for peacefully protesting against oil drilling in the Arctic region, Manipur Cycle Club(MCC) joins the nationwide protest in the premise of the historical Kangla.
Members of MCC, students, NGO activists participated in the solemn protest.
Thirty protests were planned in 30 different cities across India today for this cause.
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The 30 hours are significant of the fight that the Arctic 30 have been putting up to stop oil drilling in the Arctic.
On 18 September 2013, 28 activists from Greenpeace including one videographer and one photographer were arrested by the Russian authorities when they tried to peacefully climb the oil rig owned by the oil company Gazprom in the Arctic.
They are charged disproportionately with Piracy and Hooliganism and may face a jail term of maximum seven years.
Currently, they are imprisoned at Murmansk, Russia.
The Arctic 30 are about to complete two months in the prison by next week.
The response from India has been phenomenal in support of the Arctic 30.More than 27750 people from India have already sent a letter to the Russian ambassador to India demanding release of the Arctic 30.Also, almost 40 members of the Parliament have endorsed their support.
Almost 100 civil society members and 30 prominent scientists from India have also appealed to the Russian ambassador to free the Arctic 30 .