Resources
Security Culture: Building Relationships Founded on Trust and Care
An illustrated zine with tips for building resiliency in the face of state and corporate repression. Credit for the illustrations goes to Kourtney Dunning; learn more about them on p. 28. Here is a version formatted for printing in booklet form.
To Those Choosing to Risk Arrest
Reflections by Victoria Drain, Kira Kelley, and Timothy Cominghay on settlement offers, going to trial, and what it means to support a movement.
A Quick Guide to Bail Funds
A resource outlining some of the legal, financial, and practical considerations involved in establishing a bail fund. Prepared for Climate Defense Project by Zora Navarre and Yiman Wang of the NYU Earth Rights Advocacy Clinic.
Preparing to Testify As An Expert
A basic guide to testifying at a criminal trial for those considering serving as an expert witness.
Jury Nullification: What It Is (And Isn’t)
A concise overview of the history, political uses, and procedural mechanics of jury nullification. Prepared for Climate Defense Project by Harvard Law School student Grant Pace.
University Divestment Complaints
CDP-assisted, student-led complaints that ask state attorneys general to use their charitable oversight and enforcement powers to curb fossil fuel investments by universities, which, the complaints allege, violate legal duties to the public and to students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY (2023)
POMONA COLLEGE (2023)
TUFTS UNIVERSITY (2023)
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (2023)
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (2023)
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS (2023)
DUKE UNIVERSITY (2022)
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY (2022)
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY (2022)
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY (2022)
YALE UNIVERSITY (2022)
STANFORD UNIVERSITY (2022)
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (2022)
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (2021)
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO (2021)
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN (2021)
HARVARD UNIVERSITY (2021)
BOSTON COLLEGE (2020)
Legal Resource Guide for Climate Activists
A guide to protesting, arrest, and the legal process for Bay Area climate strikers. Find a similar guide here tailored to New York, prepared for Extinction Rebellion’s NYC chapter.
Principles of Climate Civil Resistance
A document summarizing the legal basis for resistance to the fossil fuel system. A PDF version of the Principles is available here. CDP’s update about the Principles can be found here.
Climate Necessity Defense Case Guide
A list of all attempted climate necessity defenses with details on the cases and outcomes. Contact CDP for related case documents.
Political Necessity Defense Jurisdiction Guide
A chart describing the law of necessity in all 50 states and federal courts, with political necessity precedent and resources for further research.
Comic Explaining the Climate Necessity Defense (courtesy of Graphic Advocacy Project)
A fun visual illustration of the purpose and use of the climate necessity defense. Many thanks to the Graphic Advocacy Project!