In protest against the war on natural resources, mainly oil and minerals, carried out by powerful countries in the most vulnerable territories, a worldwide day of protest has been organised for 18 June 2012.
The action will take place at “Shell” petrol stations, the company of hydrocarbons to which gas resources in Ireland were assigned by the last prominent government – at the same time people most in need saw their help reduced.
The war in search of natural resources is nothing new; it started many years ago. The consequences do not seem to have been taken into account. In Africa, for example, the search for natural resources by western countries has caused millions of exiles, rapes and assassinations.
One of the most recent examples on the African continent has been in Somalia, where the United Kingdom, with the excuse of a military intervention to build a stable future, has already begun digging in search of oil.
Due to its location on the map – being the horn of Africa – together with reports that rank it the second most important country of unexploited oil reserves in the north of Eastern Africa, makes it an attractive territory for unscrupulous powers.
Other countries on the continent such as Libya, Uganda, Nigeria or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have not had better luck and have also lived – and continue living – through conflicts for the possession of their resources.
As if that wasn’t enough, the expropriations of powerful countries towards the weak remain in the hands of a few: some 2000 people are estimated to die in the United Kingdom due to the shortage of fuel.
These conflicts make the price of the oil continually rise and many English families have found themselves in situations of having to choose between food or warmth.
All this leads to this global protest on 18 June and here in London, it will take place at the Shell Centre, London SE1 7NA, from 12pm to 3pm. More information: Indymedia.
(Translated by Susan Seccombe – Email: ess.translations [@] gmail.com) – Photos: Pixabay