Crossposted from Funding Our Future, the Campus Progress blog promoting policy that provides economic opportunities for our generation.
On their first day back to work after an eventful summer, Senators were greeted by 40 climate activists eager to demonstrate what clean energy jobs look like. Smack in the middle of the Hart Senate Office building the 40 activists built miniature windmills and made mechanical noises until interrupted by the Capitol Police. At that point, a 50 ft banner dropped demanding that the Senators “Get to Work” for “Green Jobs Now”. This protest was organized by a coalition of climate organizations including the Energy Action Coalition, Avaaz.org, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and Campus Progress.
“As the Senate reconvenes today, too many Americans are out of work and getting sick from our current dirty energy systems. We must act now,” said Pete Griffin, Campaign Director for Energy Action Coalition. “This historic youth movement fighting for jobs and clean energy is getting larger every day and the action, or inaction, of the Senators walking through those doors today will influence how young people mobilize next year as 36 of them make bids for reelection.”
Mirroring the upsurge in climate organizing happening throughout the nation, this action launched a new season of inside-the-beltway activity around climate legislation. The Senate is set to discuss a climate bill around the end of the month and they can be sure to be greeted by young people in hard hats demanding that they stick to the science and keep the world’s most vulnerable nations in mind.
“We can’t wait any longer,” said Kim Huynh with the Avaaz Climate Action Factory. “The world’s leading climate scientists have said we have only a few years to act, and meaningful action is going to require global participation. World leaders are meeting in Denmark in December to craft an international climate-change agreement, and the outcome hinges on whether the U.S. Senate will pass climate legislation this fall.”
Getting a climate bill passed before Copenhagen is possibly our last chance to prove to the international community that we are serious about tackling the climate crisis, but it can’t just be any bill. The proposal that passed the house this spring falls short of what scientists are saying is necessary and don’t do enough to invest in clean energy jobs and innovation. We still have time to improve on it in the Senate, but it will take many more voices from constituents throughout the nation demanding an end to the nigthmarish climate crisis and more investments in clean energy jobs.
Our two banner droppers were detained by the Capitol police and one of them was arrested. She could use your help to pay for he legal fees, would you help a fellow climate organizer out? Please donate to support this amazing volunteer.
Wind energy is awesome because it’s green and it creates jobs. What more could we ask for? Check out these awe-inspiring images of the Wilderado Wind Farm: http://tiny.cc/EnV3O
any pics of the banners themselves? even before shots before they were dropped?
Wait, I’m confused. I was linked to this article from an article saying that Bloomfield, NJ activist Ted Glick was arrested for dropping a banner back in September, and was going to be sentenced soon.
That’s right, Amanda. Ted is the one dropping those banners at the very end of the video. HE was convicted by a jury on May 13 and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 6th.
Here is the request just sent out by Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network for which Ted works:
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First, please write a respectful but firm snail-mail letter to Judge Frederick H. Weisberg telling him why you think Ted should not go to jail. The judge’s address is below. Just type something up, print it and mail it off. Explain why only a suspended sentence is fair, especially given all the real injustices out there on global warming. There is reason to believe that that a large number of thoughtful, well-reasoned letters to the judge could bring leniency.
Second, take action right now to help create a world where global warming is no longer such a threat and people like Ted won’t have to drop banners and get arrested in the first place! Sign the “Windmills, Not Oil Spills” petition to stop new offshore drilling in America and promote clean energy alternatives instead: http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org/WindNotOil
Thanks for your support, your activism, and your prayers as CCAN fights to keep a morally innocent staff member out of jail during this time of great global crisis.
Sincerely,
Mike Tidwell
Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
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Here’s the judge’s address:
Judge Frederick H. Weisberg
DC Superior Court
500 Indiana Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20001
**Please keep in mind**
The letters should be respectful. Suggested topics include:
• If you personally know Ted and have shared experiences with him, tell the judge;
• Describe the urgency of the climate issue and the need to pressure our government to take action on it;
• Give your views on what would be a justice-based approach by the legal system toward nonviolent actions of the kind Ted took part in.
Please let other people know about this campaign. And it would be helpful if you could send us a copy of your letter to Judge Weisberg, or if you could let us know that you have sent a letter. You can email Ted at ted@chesapeakeclimate.org, or you could send by regular mail to Ted’s attention at CCAN, P.O. Box 11138, Takoma Park, Md. 20912.