GAIN Statement on “How to Blow Up a Pipeline”
The film “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” a screen adaption of Eco-Marxist Andreas Malm’s book of the same title, was released today, Friday, April 7. The movie and book argue that “divestment and marches aren’t enough” and that the climate movement must “learn to disrupt business as usual.” The film’s leadership have also made several concerning comments. The film editor said that if people did act on sabotaging oil and gas infrastructure, he hoped they would “be targeted about what exactly they’re sabotaging and how they frame the action.” The film’s co-writer said, “property destruction is not really violence because you’re not hurting people in the literal act.” The filmmakers made the shocking decision to show the audience how to blow up a pipeline.
Below is a statement that can be attributed to me, Craig Stevens, spokesman for the GAIN Coalition and former senior advisor to U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman:
“The film ‘How to Blow up a Pipeline’ glorifies the dangerous and criminal act of ecoterrorism. The filmmakers’ decision to show, in detail, how to destroy these types of infrastructure is irresponsible and could lead to serious harm. Make no mistake, oil and natural gas are the lifeblood of our modern economy and way of life. In fact, no movie could be made without oil and gas – including this one. We couldn’t drive; heat our homes; or power our schools, businesses, hospitals, or homes without it. Attempting to damage a pipeline is a senseless act of illegal violence that will end with fleeting moments of fame and years in prison. We hope that individuals’ common sense outweighs the sensationalism of Hollywood’s latest attack on the American people.”
