University of Tasmania Banner Activist on Trial

Last October, Brodie Jeavons (24 from Glenorchy) was arrested after scaling the Centenary Building, obscuring the University of Tasmania’s logo with a banner so that it read: “University of Tasmania Stop Funding Coal.”

Mr Jeavons has a Diploma of Outdoor Recreation, including many weeks of ropes training and years of experience. He was harnessed to an internal stair for his and others’ safety. The action was part of a 15 day sit-in outside the Vice Chancellor’s office to protest the university’s continuing investment in the fossil fuel industry.

Following his arrest and the end of the sit-in, the university and members of Fossil Free UTAS have been in talks about how to proceed.

“It’s our hope that the university will continue to work with us and eventually, divest from the fossil fuel industry, an industry that is causing dangerous global warming.”

“Only a few days ago, the whole planet’s average temperature rose 2.0 degrees C on xx levels, global warming is affecting us right now.”

“UTAS is a world leader in climate research. It was recently awarded a $26m grant for research – but there won’t be any ice left to study if the university keeps investing in fossil fuels.”

Brodie and his fellow students are hoping for a good outcome at trial today.

“I understand that some people would disagree with our protest methods, one year ago I would not have even considered doing something like a sit-in and a banner drop.”

“Through my study I realised that global warming is affecting thousands of Australians and millions around the world.”

“Global warming requires urgent solutions. We need our leaders, including our universities to divest from fossil fuels today.”

“The university has taught me the urgency of global warming, now it’s time it acted by taking its money out of the coal, oil and gas companies that are causing the problem.”

“If this wasn’t enough, the university is losing money by investing in the fossil fuel industry, with no end in sight to the commodities slump.”

Fossil Free UTAS
W: http://www.fossilfreeutas.com/
F: https://www.facebook.com/fossilfreeUTAS

Follow this link for a briefing on Fossil Free UTAS Campaign:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B641rmQeo8RpaFRaSDdkQUttbk0/view
Fossil Free UTAS Media Spokesperson: Brodie Jeavons