Imprisoned Climate Activist Tom DeChristopher's Appeal Hearing Thursday

Legal Defense Team to present appeal in front of 10th District Federal Court of Appeals.

Tim DeChristopher photo courtesy: rollingstone.com

(DENVER, CO) - On Thursday May 10, 2012 the Legal Defense Team representing imprisoned climate activist, Tim DeChristopher will present oral arguments before the 10th District Federal Court of Appeals in Denver, CO (1823 Stout Street Denver, CO. 80257).

30-year old DeChristopher, who holds a BA in Economics from the University of Utah, is currently serving two years in federal prison for his 2011 conviction of the obscure Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act, as a result of his disrupting the December 2008 illegitimate sale of federal land in Southern Utah.

The appeal hearing is centered around four points of argument: 1) The evidence was legally insufficient. 2) The violation of DeChristopher's constitutional rights to present his defense requires reversal. 3) Rather than imprisoning DeChristopher for his political advocacy, the court should have dismissed the case, and 4) This court should reach the merits and grant relief.

(The full appeal and subsequent filings can be found at: http://www.peacefuluprising.org/tim-dechristopher)

Normal practices for appeal hearings under the 10th district courts mandate that the panel takes the arguments under advisement and will come to a decision a month of more after the date oral arguments are heard.

Following the appeal hearing, supporters of DeChristopher will gather at Denver's Civic Center Park at 11am (at the Greek Amphitheater) to hear from attorney Ron Yengich after he delivers oral arguments before the 10th District Federal Court of Appeals. Following Mr. Yengich's account of the appeal hearing, members of various organizations including: Peaceful Uprising, Co-FORCE, Greenpeace and 350.org have organized a "speak out" rally to show support and solidarity for Tim DeChristopher, and to make sure his voice and message is continued to be heard.