Dear friends here's our latest news on the oil saga in Algarve.

The view that we at ASMAA have taken from this legal battle, is that the justice system in Portugal is extremely politicised. We are left with the opinion that laws were passed in the Portuguese parliament, with the sole purpose of protecting vast financial and/or political interests, instead of the greater good – be it the public or nature. But this is just our opinion based on our own experiences.

Looking back, here are three salient points that we take with us:

Read the full article here: http://asmaa-algarve.org/en/news/what-s-new/asmaa-takes-a-close-look-at-the-portuguese-legal-system-and-asmaa-s-anti-oil-fight

THE COST TO ANYONE THAT WANTS TO FIGHT THE SYSTEM

Keep in mind that ASMAA’s anti-oil exploration legal battle in Algarve cost more than 100,000€ over a period of 3 years, even with all the Pro-Bono work that we received.

The reality is that to fight the establishment and individuals responsible for certain government portfolios - and that have access to unlimited public (tax payers) money to promote their interests and/or the financial/business interests that keeps them in power, needs people with courage, ethics and determination. Unfortunately they are in short supply in Portugal.

Currently, there’s still a fight against two active fracking contracts in the center of Portugal, against Australis who want to frack the areas of Bajouca and Aljubarrota, and we can’t leave out the lithium and other minerals open-pit mining risks neither.

The warning we leave here, is that if you want to fight to protect our country for the greater good of all and planet, anyone involved, anyone that cares about our country, needs to budget and find vast amounts of money, needs to find good experts that are not in conflict of interest situations, needs to have the commitment and energy needed to be at the pit face 24 hours out of 24 hours 7 days a week for as long as needed.

Not an easy situation, but this is the reality.

But above all, we need ethical political representatives in government. With elections around the corner, choose wisely. You have to ask yourself, if the available representatives will look after the greater good of all and nature, or will they be looking after their own personal interests?

There’s no doubt that ASMAA succeeded in what we set-up to do, but the success came with a heavy price tag. We still have unpaid legal as well as other related anti-oil campaign bills of 31,314.50€ and 7,165.88€ left to pay.
 

HELP US BY DONATING NOW
DONATE 25€ | 50€ | 100€ or any amount you feel is just

You can donate directly via PayPal (including credit card payments) using email info@asmaa-algarve.org

or directly to Paypal via our website: http://asmaa-algarve.org/en/donate

Or via Bank Transfer (EFT)
BANK: SANTANDER TOTTA
ASMAA Algarve Surf and Marine Activities Association
IBAN: PT50 0018 0008 02686698020 51

USE REF: LEGAL to help with legal fees outstanding

or REF: ANTI OIL CAMPAIGN to help with other campaign costs

Thank you to all that has enabled us to STOP the drilling in Algarve during the past 9 years. We are grateful.

Laurinda Seabra
ASMAA CEO