Chris Garrard

Campaigner, art activist and musician - for art and culture, climate justice and ethics. Co-director of @Cult_Unstained. He/they.

[Chris Garrard @TheGarrard]

The @britishmuseum is closing early due to extreme heat.

In October, it opens a new major exhibition sponsored by fossil fuel giant, BP.

#jointhedots #climate

[British Museum @britishmuseum]

Due to the Red National Severe Weather Warning, the Museum will close at 15.00 BST on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July.

Ticket bookers for permanent collection visits and special exhibitions will be notified of the closure and next steps for their booking: https://t.co/k3IE1ZSyZc

[Mona Seif @Monasosh]

The brutality of these awful regimes @AlsisiOfficial
@Keir_Starmer

We are forced to share live documentation of our mother's slow death in one final attempt to get them to recognise the urgency of our situation, reach a resolution, and save her before it is too late!
#FreeAlaa

[Chris Garrard @TheGarrard]

Some crucial context - for transparency - which Cullinan skilfully fails to mention, is that the @britishmuseum takes money from big oil (BP) and tobacco (JTI).

There’s a debate to be had about arts funding but the ethical consensus really is pretty clear on these industries…

[Chris Garrard @TheGarrard]

I presume Nick missed BP’s announcement just a few weeks ago that the company is ditching its climate goals, slashing renewables and ploughing money into new oil and gas? 🤷‍♂️

Rather than misleadingly moralising in an oped, maybe Nick could address that clear ethical conflict?

[Chris Garrard @TheGarrard]

A crucial distinction - one wilfully overlooked here by the (BP-sponsored) @britishmuseum Director Nick Cullinan - is there is opposition to *unethical* cultural sponsorship that furthers damaging fossil fuel, arms and rights violating businesses…not sponsorship in general. 🙄

[Financial Times @FT]

Think twice before attacking corporate sponsorship of the arts https://t.co/xlGwHKSIL7 | opinion

[Chris Garrard @TheGarrard]

There are challenges for arts funding but the Director of the @britishmuseum is well placed to champion the alternatives and solutions - while *actually* applying ethical standards to his sponsors and getting his own house in order…

[Chris Garrard @TheGarrard]

@ThangamDebb It’s not true that “only culture loses” - it does huge disservice to artists/workers for their labour to be used and appropriated for corporate promotion and influence by unethical firms.

Such partnerships are not philanthropy, and so they require proper ethical scrutiny.

[Chris Garrard @TheGarrard]

@ThangamDebb Sadly, Nick’s piece contains several inaccuracies and misleading claims.

And there is a crucial distinction to be made here between corporate partnerships in general - and those that explicitly endorse and further the business of major polluters like BP or weapons producers.

[Free Alaa @FreedomForAlaa]

A letter from Laila's doctor explaining the deep gravity of the situation.

Keir Starmer must call President Sisi before it's too late.

Today is Day 149 of her hunger strike. How much longer can she hold on?

[Chris Garrard @TheGarrard]

…but if the coal-mining and weapons-manufacturing conglomerate #Adani does it, that’s fine for Bob Ward… 🙃

No, #Rosebank shouldn’t be approved.

But nor should the @sciencemuseum be giving endorsement to a major fossil fuel producer in Adani.
https://t.co/t52u7xdsTJ

[Chris Garrard @TheGarrard]

Important that we don’t conflate opposition to those companies that cross an ethical red line w/ opposition to sponsorship in general.

After all, it was @BaillieGifford that could have divested and backed book festivals.

But instead, it bailed and blamed authors in FFB. 2/2

[Chris Garrard @TheGarrard]

Some important points made by @GarethRubin in the @guardian - but disagree with his take on Fossil Free Books.

Applying ethical standards to corporate sponsors is just good practice, and the sector should be responsive to concerns of stakeholders… 1/2
https://t.co/vp7bvPXmcX

[Mona Seif @Monasosh]

Bring Alaa home @Keir_Starmer

#FreeAlaa ✨️

[Josie Long @JosieLong]

I’m thinking of running as an MP so I can lose and get into the House of Lords.