Call Your Senator: HB 727

The New Orleans Chapter of the Green Party is asking for your support. We've joined a coalition of groups opposing HB 727. We urge you to join the resistance. Our allies at 350neworleans.org tell you how in this message:

Right now, the Louisiana state legislature is trying to pass legislation that would add pipelines to the list of state-protected critical infrastructure and drastically increase penalties for offenses associated with civil disobedience.

This bill would directly impact water protectors fighting the Bayou Bridge Pipeline -- a crude oil pipeline being built by Energy Transfer Partners through our Atchafalaya Basin -- and would have serious, unintended consequences for Louisiana landowners, fishers and hunters.

Just last week, Louisiana’s House of Representatives passed HB 727 -- but it still needs to pass the Senate to become law.

This bill could have drastic consequences for all Louisiana citizens. There are thousands of miles of pipelines cross-cutting Louisiana’s wetlands, private property, and public waterways. Fishers and farmers cross industry pipelines on a daily basis - this bill could put them at risk of felony conviction for simple trespass. Landowners who have had property expropriated through eminent domain could unintentionally damage an pipeline on their private property and risk being felony conviction. These harsh punishments put everyday Louisianans at risk of serious, life-altering charges.

This bill could become law this week. Email or call your State Senator today and demand they protect the right to peaceably assemble and vote no HB727.

Here is a sample script for when you call your State Senator.

The responsibility of our state legislators is to protect the interests and freedoms of the people -- we must let them know that HB 727 is a threat to Louisiana residents.

Here are other ways to resist HB 727:

1. Sign up for updates from 350 New Orleans
2. Follow the L’eau Est La Vie camp on Facebook
3. Learn more about HB 727 and receive updates on the progress of the bill and reminders to call

Peace,
Neil Ranu
Chapter Secretary, Green Party of New Orleans

Green Party of New Orleans
http://www.lagreens.org/