It’s Getting Hot In Here

Student activists gathered this week in Virginia to launch a 2-week global warming campaign pressuring 11^th district Representative Tom Davis to step it up.

Part of the summer Greenpeace Organizing Term and Project HotSeat, the group of 23 students are bird-dogging the congressman to push him to support global warming solutions. Project HotSeat concentrates on contested districts with history of close races or candidates who are vulnerable or could be swayed.

The gang has begun showing up wherever Davis makes a public appearance, asking pointed questions about his stance on climate change. A sea of red “Stop Global Warming” shirts and signs stalk his every move, from Homeowners Association meetings to swanky county club appearances!

When Davis is unavailable, the team is busy building alliances with the residents, small businesses and students. Just last Wednesday, with the aid of the Rolling Sunlight, a biodiesel-fueled vehicle with sliding solar panels on its roof, the group ran a “Sunlight Social” at George Mason University. The Rolling Sunlight provided the power to blast music and make smoothies for students in sweltering heat throughout the day.

These coalitions will be essential for the campaign climax: The Independence Day Celebration. This July 4^th, the campaign will peak at the Fairfax County parade and fireworks show. Davis, riding in the parade, will be met by a swell of HotSeat campaigners with signs, pinwheels and “Stop Global Warming” signs in storefront windows lining the street. The Rolling Sunlight will be providing power for a local band during the fireworks and MIGHT even be powering the local radio station covering the parade as well (Fingers crossed!).

The event should be crazy-awesome, so stay tuned and we’ll post an update with pictures/video by the 6^th. If you’re going to be in the area, we’d love your help! For more information contact Adam Conlin adamconlin@gmail.com