Tag: protest

In the Climate Fight, We are Not Alone

What Marching Alongside 75,000 Activists Reminds Us

My alarm went off bright and early on the morning of September 17. It was still dark as I pulled myself out of bed just before 5 am. I checked my phone and saw that Mason, CCANs Central Virginia Organizer, had already met up with a group of volunteer activists he had rallied together, boarded them all onto a charter bus, and was headed to the March to End Fossil Fuels in New York City. I splashed some water on my face, slipped on my comfiest tennis shoes, and made my way to College Park, MD where Masons’ bus was stopping to pick up myself, my colleague Mustafa, and a group of additional volunteers from the surrounding area. By 7:30 am, 47 CCANers were on the bus ready to make history.

As we drove I took a moment to look around at the people who had so graciously given up their Sunday to be with there with us. They came from all sorts of backgrounds, from teen activists and college students to retired community members. All there to protest for a liveable future. We all got to know each other on the way there, sharing why we chose to come, singing march chants to get excited, and of course, sharing what felt like a lifetime of coffees to make sure we were all properly caffeinated.

“I felt compelled with every fiber of my being that I needed to be there,” said Gerri Carrillo of Amelia County, Virginia.

As for me, I was there because, for the first time in a long time, climate anxiety was overriding the hope I felt about the progress we were collectively making. I turned 26 a few months ago and have been thinking about the future. I was inundated with thoughts about how climate change would affect the world I grew up in and how different it would be for my future children. I could already see it, the effects of climate change were no longer just things I read about in the news. It was happening right in front of me. Smoke from wildfires covering half the country, continuous flooding in my hometown, our fading winters. It all felt completely out of my control. It was easy to feel like I was solely responsible for a global solution. By getting on that bus that humid Sunday morning, I felt like I was taking back power over what I wanted my future to look like. When we arrived, standing there on the streets of New York City, surrounded for miles by other activists, a surge of hope rushed to my cheeks. I could see that there were thousands and thousands and thousands of people who would continue to fight with me. I was not alone.

As we marched with herds of other activists down 52nd Street, demands for a paradigm shift echoed in the air: End the era of fossil fuels.

The plan was this: thousands of us would flood the streets the weekend before the UN Climate Ambition Summit, demanding that President Biden lead the world away from fossil fuel reliance. It was time to call on Biden to take decisive executive action to halt new oil and gas leases in the United States. This 2023 March to End Fossil Fuels had the momentum to be not just a massive demonstration, but a crucial moment in Biden’s presidency. It marked the largest climate mobilization he had witnessed since taking office in 2021.

And it felt like it. More than 75,000 people protested with me, demanding big changes. The number of young people there lit a fire under my butt. The barely threes on their fathers’ shoulders, or the grade schoolers playing tag through the masses (much to their guardians’ chagrin), or the college students who joined me on the CCAN bus. If they could find the courage to keep marching, so could I. Our presence in those streets was a testament to the collective power of individuals who refuse to be bystanders in the face of an escalating climate crisis. A hopeful possibility of a universal understanding that the transition away from fossil fuels was not only necessary, but imperative for the health and well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. And we were there to make it happen.

“When the air we breathe is under attack, what do we do??” I screamed into the bullhorn Mason had so kindly given me the honor of monitoring (it was my first time using one at an event this size and I was psyched). A few hundred people shouted back, “Stand up!! Fight back!!” I continued, “When the water we drink is under attack, what do we do??” “Stand up, fight back!!”

Our message was clear, we need leaders worldwide to take meaningful climate action, now. It was a declaration that we, as citizens, were united in our determination to protect the Earth and its inhabitants. We marched for our children, our friends, the guy who cut us in line last week, our parents and siblings, the kid who used to push us on the playground, for those who could not march. That day we marched for humanity as a whole, reminded that Earth will survive climate change, but we might not. Stand up. Fight back.

Ending new drilling for gas and oil

Would be our hearts’ desire.

Deadly fossil fuels will kill us all,

Setting Mother Earth on fire!

– Frances Broaddus-Crutchfield, Midlothian, VA

We came to the end of our march path and settled in to listen to speakers such as Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, a sixteen-year-old climate leader, and even an eight-year-old activist with his mother. Hearing their speeches made me hyperaware of one thing: we were all scared – but we were all here. I was situated next to a loudspeaker, but even with my ears ringing at the end of each speech, I could hear that all of these voices echoed in part of a global chorus demanding a massive shift. We have the home team advantage in this fight, and boy do we have something to fight for. The thought of the loss we’re faced with if we do nothing is enough to make anyone shut down completely. But scared as we were, we all showed up to do something about it.

Growing up, my dad often repeated a popular Nelson Mandela quote to us, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” Continuing to push on and advocate for justice in the face of overwhelming fear. That was us, courageously pushing forward, pushing for change. The energy and determination that coursed through the crowd was a forceful reminder that the fight against climate change was a battle we could not afford to lose. This march was not an isolated event, but a catalyst for ongoing action. It was a rallying cry that reverberated through the halls of power, calling for a transformative shift in our energy policies. The momentum generated on that day will serve as a foundation for the continued battle to end our reliance on fossil fuels.

In the aftermath of the march, as we climbed back on our bus and returned to our homes and communities in the DMV area, we carried a renewed sense of purpose. We were armed with the knowledge that we were on the front lines of the largest-ever march with the primary demand of abolishing the fossil fuel industry. Our voices could have the power to effect real change. “Being there among 75,000 other ‘drops in the bucket’ felt amazing!” said Carillo. “I am not young and I am not able-bodied, but I came home thinking, ‘I’ve got work to do and for the rest of my life!’”

Even now, as I sit in my apartment in Rosslyn, VA, writing this piece, I am reminded that the battle has only just begun. A group of 30 climate protesters from Extinction Rebellion gather in the street below me, blocking traffic and chanting. “What do we want?” “Climate Justice!” “When do we want it?” “Now!” Revolution is in the air, can’t you smell it? I think I’ll wrap this up and head down to join them.

The March to End Fossil Fuels was inspiring and meaningful, but they remind me that the battle is yet to be won. Until it is – I’m standing up, and I’m fighting back. But I am not alone, and neither are you.

Are you ready to take the next step to end the era of fossil fuels? Sign the petition calling on Biden to end fossil fuels now.

Then become a CCAN Action Member and find your local team.

VA delegates and senators support "Stand with Red"

Yesterday, more than a dozen Virginia delegates and senators joined the chorus of landowners, activists, and faith communities in voicing their opposition to the proposed Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast Pipelines.
Dubbed Stand with Red day, the event sought to highlight cruel attempts by the pipeline companies, with the support of Virginia’s law enforcement agencies, to starve “Red” Terry — a mother in Roanoke County. She has been sitting in a tree on her own property with her daughter refusing to leave until the pipeline companies themselves depart the land that her family has called home for seven generations.
The event, organized by Northern Virginia-based attorney and journalist Jon Sokolow, included eleven state delegates and two senators. They all urged Governor Northam to fulfill his 2017 campaign promise to be “very cognizant” of property rights, and to demand that his Department of Environmental Quality undergo “site-specific” permitting processes.
“Let me be clear,” said Blacksburg Delegate Chris Hurst, “it should not be up to landowners, who have already had their land taken through invalid eminent domain procedures to make sure Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC does its job correctly. It should be our state agencies who lead that effort.”
Stand with Red day is not only an addition to the litany of protests against the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipelines which are seen on a regular basis, it is the culmination of years of work hammering away at Dominion, EQT, and the elected officials that do their bidding. It marks a definitive shift in Virginia’s political culture — which until recently was completely imprinted with the self-interest of Dominion, EQT, and other big polluters. Let there be no mistake about this, Virginia’s shifting political climate is due to nothing less than the countless hours and sacrifices made by activists, landowners, and whole communities to stop these pipelines in their path for the past three years.
“The word MVP should no longer be used to refer to them”, said 35th District Delegate Mark Keam as he addressed the booming crowd. “They are nothing close to what an MVP should be. The word MVP belongs to Red, her husband, and everybody else that is standing up. All of you here today are the real Most Valuable Players.”
To make a donation to the treetop rebellion resistance CLICK HERE. If you are inspired become a volunteer monitor to scrutinize every regulation that these pipelines break CLICK HERE to learn more about being trained!

atlantic coast pipeline Governor Northam mountain valley pipeline protest tree sitting Virginia

The Art of the March

Baltimore’s Creative Minds Go to Work for the People’s Climate March

The Peoples Climate March is almost here — and Baltimore is ready!
Over the past few months, CCAN and other organizations in Baltimore have been gearing up to make the most out of the upcoming mobilization in Washington D.C. by forming the Baltimore Peoples Climate Movement. We want to make sure we bring Baltimore’s message to the march, and come back home with renewed hope and inspiration to make our city a cleaner, greener, more equitable place to live.
Mark our words, the resistance will be beautiful! We have hosted a series of art builds and created an art guide based on conversations with community members and local organizations. Over the past few weeks, local artists, community members, and activists have brought the ideas and drawings in the guide to life!
Scroll down to see what’s in store for art at the Peoples Climate March. And if you’re a Baltimorean, please join up with the Baltimore contingent at the march! We’ll be meeting at 4th St NW and Madison Drive this Saturday, April 29th at 11 a.m. Join us!

Drawing of the Baltimore contingent by Valeska Populoh, an artist and cultural organizer in Baltimore and co-leader of the Baltimore Peoples Climate Movement art cluster.

Our themes, which came out of conversations with community members and local organizations, focus on 'People Power' (investing in youth, leadership development, and social justice), ‘Energy, Environment and the Economy’ (a just transition, jobs with dignity, clean energy jobs, zero waste solutions, and renewable energy) and ‘Fair Development’ (community-driven development, community land trusts, permanently affordable housing, and transit equity). — Our themes, which came out of conversations with community members and local organizations, focus on ‘People Power’ (investing in youth, leadership development, and social justice), ‘Energy, Environment and the Economy’ (a just transition, jobs with dignity, clean energy jobs, zero waste solutions, and renewable energy) and ‘Fair Development’ (community-driven development, community land trusts, permanently affordable housing, and transit equity).

High school students from Baltimore Beyond Plastic making a banner for their group, which is working to get the city to ban styrene and plastics.

Valeska Populoh, Baltimore Peoples Climate Movement art cluster co-leader, lending a hand to Billy as he makes a crab sign.

Finn looks on as his mom paints a cloud sign that reads “Build Schools Not Jails,” as he works on a sun sign that reads, “Don’t Keep Out My Light.”

Wyl Tucker, a steady contributor to our art builds, working on a row house sign that reads, “Failed Development Harms Our Communities.”

A group of local organizers and artists painting signs at a satellite art build we hosted at Maryland Environmental Health Network’s event “Fired Up and Ready to Go!” at the 2640 space.

As more people joined the Baltimore Peoples Climate Movement, we learned about ongoing campaigns and movements across the city. This knowledge motivated us to make signs that speak specifically to these issue areas so that the signs and banners can have a useful life after the march. Samuel Jordan from the Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition joined a table meeting and educated us about the movement to build the red line in Baltimore, leading to the creation of this banner.

The Peoples Climate March is an opportunity to spotlight local issues and existing campaigns on a national stage. This sign draws attention to Baltimore’s extremely high air pollution death rate.

Taylor Smith-Hams, CCAN’s Baltimore organizer and art cluster co-leader, painting a banner for the Baltimore contingent, which reads, “Baltimore United for A Just, Clean Energy & Economic Future.” Photo by Valeska Populoh.

Rebecca Mark, an organizer with Maryland Working Families and member of the Baltimore Peoples Climate Movement, painting a cloud that reads, “Close Prisons, Open Schools.”

We held our last pre-march table meeting at Black Cherry Puppet Theater this week. Members of the Baltimore Peoples Climate Movement posed for a group photo and practiced chants that Nabeehah Aziz with Communities United wrote. One chant goes, “Climate change is so outrageous! Less than $15 is poverty wages!”

These art builds would not have been possible without the generosity of Black Cherry Puppet Theater. Thank you for allowing us to use your wonderful space.

advocacy advocates art art activism artistic artistic expression Baltimore Baltimore climate civic engagement climate change creative creativity earth environment environmental justice environmental science global warming march painting people power People's climate march protest social justice

Arrests in Annapolis

Today, 13 faith leaders and western Maryland residents were arrested.
They were arrested because there is a threat looming over all our communities, as the moratorium on fracking in Maryland is set to expire this October.
They were arrested because we are at a crucial moment in Maryland history, as the Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill to ban fracking and the Maryland Senate looks to do the same.
They were arrested because this is the moment we need to stand up and send a clear message: Maryland needs a statewide fracking ban NOW.
It was immeasurably inspiring. Our activists were handcuffed, loaded into police vans, and sent to jail, where they spent hours and hours before being released. (At the time of this writing, more than 7 hours after the arrests, they haven’t been released yet).
Right now, we need to carry on the work of our friends by sending our message to the Maryland Senate. Here’s most important thing you can do right now: Call Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Tell him to support a fracking ban.
Here’s what to say: “My name is ____ and I live in ____. I support those arrested this morning protesting fracking. Please support only a total ban on fracking in Maryland, and bring the fracking ban bill up for a vote in the Senate.”
$miller-image-fracking$

Now, here are some highlights from today’s events.
The morning started with inspiring speeches from our faith leaders. Including this one, from Unitarian Universalist Reverend Terence Ellen, who connected fracking to global warming and extolled the virtue of fighting for a fracking ban:

Then, activists moved across the street to stand on the steps of the State House, all the while chanting songs and cheers about standing strong in the fight against fracking:

Finally, as Maryland legislators began filing into the State House, it was time for the arrests. The people willing to get arrested moved to the right of the steps, to block the entrance of the statehouse. Dozens of others who joined for the action stood across the street in solidarity and support.
Food & Water Watch documented the arrests:

Thirteen were arrested in total. After the arrestees were taken away, the rest of the activists continued to rally and cheer for a fracking ban.
Here’s the winner for best costume (come on, you didn’t realize there was a costume contest? There’s always a costume contest).

All of this was to send a clear message. We will not back down. We will not give up. We will keep up the fight until the Maryland General Assembly places a statewide fracking BAN and protects our public health, our water and our climate.
Now, time to keep on fighting.