“I want to speak freely without fear that my words will be deemed too political, and harm the organization of which I am so proud.”, David Suzuki  wrote in an open letter of April 13, 2012.David Suzuki says that threats to the David Suzuki Foundation’s charitable status were made in an attempt to silence it."I am keenly aware that some governments, industries and special interest groups are working hard to silence us. They use threats to the Foundation’s charitable status in attempts to mute its powerful voice on issues that matter deeply to you and many other Canadians."This bullying demonstrates how important it is to speak out."In many countries, the charity status is important for NGOs, also because it may allow them to receive tax exemptions, which, for example, can make giving to an organisation more attractive for potential donors. David Suzuki's decision to resign from the organisation he co-founded and loves in order to be able to openly address important - and by such often political - issues is a sign and, maybe, a warning. Especially in a difficult political climate, such a system can be used to silence opposition.

You can read the petition here.