Dear Tar Sands truth-tellers,

We are so excited to see that cities around the world are mobilising for an international day of action against the Tar Sands this month!

It couldn’t come at a better time as the UK government has apparently given in to Canada’s attempts to stop an important piece of European climate legislation going through parliament, which could see Tar Sands banned from Europe.

1.    International ‘Stop the Tar Sands’ day

2.   UK bends to Canada’s bullying

3.   Tar-iffic Triathlon!

Love and resistance,

Emily, Sue and Jess

1.  International ‘Stop the Tar Sands’ day

There is an incredible array of marches, protests, critical masses, subverted sports and installations being planned for Saturday, June 18^th, as international ‘Stop the Tar Sands’ day hits cities all over Europe and North America. If you are in London, join us at the Canadian High Commission at noon, with sombre messages and flowers as we mark the sacrifice of life that has already taken place for Tar Sands extraction. Bring banners, cameras, flowers and messages, and prepare to create a giant petition to the UK government. Entertaining speakers, music and a game of oily volleyball will follow.

In other parts of the UK you can team up with your local People & Planet group who have some ‘Tarred and Feathered’ shenanigans planned. Find out more here and contact [email protected] to get involved.

You can also attend a screening of Dirty Oil at the Barbican Theatre in Plymouth, organised by the Co-op.

2. UK bends to Canada’s bullying!

If you have been following us lately you may know that Canada has been on an all-out offensive to try and stop European legislation from going ahead which would effectively ban Tar Sands imports into Europe, known as the Fuel Quality Directive. Some good news is that today a resolution was passed in the European Parliament which stated that the EU should not bow to this pressure. Although the EU is currently in trade talks with Canada, MEPs have expressed commitment to addressing the concerns we all have with emissions and environmental destruction from the Tar Sands.

Unfortunately the UK government has been much more swayed by  Canada’s Tar Sands PR and is now standing in the way of the Fuel Quality Directive.

At our protest on June 18^th people will sign onto a creative petition to Norman Baker, Transport Minister, urging the UK not to bow down to crude Canadian lobbying. We will hand-deliver the petition to the Department for Transport at lunchtime on Monday 20^th June.

Let us know if you can come along by emailing [email protected]

3. Tar-iffic Triathlon

To raise some much-needed funds to help the UK Tar Sands Network keep doing what we do, the amazing Ellie Smith is going to be doing a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and a 10km run. Incredible!  So if you fancy helping us out and egging Ellie on, take a look at her Facebook page and sponsor her.