Tim Dechristopher

Categories

Bus. Social Responsibility

Bioethics

Agriculture/Farming

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Accountability

environmentalism

Economic Justice

Culture Jamming

Cultural Commentary

organizing

Sustainability

Tim DeChristopher is the University of Utah economics student who disrupted the fraudulent BLM oil and gas auction in December 2008.  At the end of the Bush administration, this auction of land bordering Arches and Canyonlands National Parks was the last giveaway to the oil industry.  With no money to his name, Tim registered as Bidder #70 and outbid the oil companies as an act of civil disobedience to protest an illegal auction.  Since then Tim has continued to speak out about the need for serious action in the face of the loss of our democracy, the destruction of our wilderness and most importantly, the massive threat to our future from climate change.

In the wake of the BLM auction, Tim helped to form the group Peaceful Uprising to train, support, and defend those who commit nonviolent direct action for climate justice.  Peaceful Uprising targets destructive corporations and works for the political change necessary for a livable future.  They are helping others through the personal transformation from helpless consumers to empowered citizen activists.

In February 2009, new Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar invalidated almost the entire auction on the grounds that the BLM was not following its own rules.  Most of the lease parcels Tim won are now protected from drilling.  Despite the government’s reversal, Tim was indicted in April on two federal felonies for his civil disobedience.  The US Attorney’s Office has successfully limited his defense and prevented Tim from arguing that his actions were justified in light of the illegality of the auction and threats of climate change.  At this point, it is unclear if the jury will be allowed to hear all the facts of the case.

Tim spends much of his free time gardening, studying alternative economics, and visualizing the end of corporate personhood.

Please visit bidder70.org for more information on Tim's case.

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For booking availability and press inquiries:
Please contact Tim DeChristopher's speaker agents at the Evil Twin Booking Agency.

email: Liz Cole and Scott Beibin [ info (at) eviltwinbooking (dot) com ]
+1.215.473.0308 | eviltwinbooking.com

Evil Twin Booking Agency p.o. box 30726 philadelphia pa 19104 usa

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