Global Climate Strike report: #StrikeWithUs & shut it down

Before the global climate strike week of action, I told you that 198 methods was built for this.

Every petition you signed online, every Trump official we forced to resign, every action we took at FERC, at a bank, at a Governor’s office in NY or NC, it’s been in preparation for this kind of moment.

Now, as the global week of action comes to a close with more than 7 MILLION participants world wide, and major actions all over the US, I want to say THANK YOU; And I want to remind you that this is the beginning of the fight we were built for, not the end.

So as you check out the amazing stories, photos and videos below, I hope you’ll agree that it is worth it to build a community dedicated to the support of non violent direct action for the climate – and chip in what you can to support us.

September 20, around the world, #Strike with us.

Friday September 20 we followed the lead of global youth and took to the streets as part of the largest coordinated international action on climate change, ever. There were more than 1000 events in the US alone, and a record 4 million+ people participated in the strikes.

Check out an album of photos from around the world here. Or check out the wrap up video from partners at 350.org for an overview:

September 23 #ShutDownDC

On the Monday after the climate strikes, we began a series of escalations – as called for by global youth leaders. While Greta Thunberg delivered her “How Dare You” speech to the United Nations, we joined more than 2000 people in 24 affinity groups to shut down traffic into capitol hill and K street Washington DC – the metaphorical intersection of fossil-funded climate denial and inaction.

I was part of an affinity group that locked down in two cars to shut down a major bridge into Capitol Hill, and the key Trump Administration agencies. Across town, activists locked themselves to a sailboat to symbolize rising sea levels, while others formed a roving dance party to generate joy and collective spirit in the face of the climate crisis. More than 30 activists were arrested as part of the action, with black, brown and young participants especially targeted.

Check out photos and videos from the action here, or watch this video from partners at Unicorn Riot for an overview:

Activists were back in the Streets of DC by Friday for a march through downtown DC. This time, we focused on a section of Northwest DC where the Trump administration’s corrupt relationship with corporations and polluters is most clear – with stops at the EPA and Trump Hotel, as well as fossil-fuel-financiers Blackrock and Wells Fargo. Our march specifically called for Trump’s impeachment, and an end to fossil fuel fascism. While at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, Congress continued its formal impeachment investigation of Trump’s corrupt polluter regime. Read more about it here.

Calling out NC Gov Roy Cooper’s Climate Hypocrisy.

You remember North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper as the Democrat who promised climate action, but instead approved the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and colluded with Duke energy to mess with our communities and climate. Cooper is a leading example of the climate hypocrisy in the Democratic party.

So when Cooper showed up to claim credit as a climate hero by introducing a so-called Clean Energy Plan at a meeting of the NC Climate Change Interagency Council, we showed up to disrupt with old friends from the state.

The action was the next step in ongoing escalation to focus attention on frontline climate justice issues neglected by the Cooper Administration: Duke Energy’s fracked gas infrastructure development–including the ACP and MVP–and the increase in forest destruction being driven by Enviva.  

Check out some news coverage of the disruption and the plan here, or check out this quick video from partners Friends of the Earth of the disruption:

Shut Down New England’s last coal plant #bucketbyBucket

The Merrimack Generating Station in Bow, NH, is the last big coal fired power plant in New England with no shut down date. It has polluted the air, water, and climate in New Hampshire for decades, but it still manages to steal millions of dollars in taxpayer in subsidies every year to keep running. So on Saturday, Sept. 28, we joined more than 300 activists from across new England to take matters into our own hands to stop climate chaos.

Nearly 70 people, including me, were arrested trying to enter the plant with shovels and buckets in hand. We were prepared to remove coal from the burn pile #BucketByBucket to literally pull fuel from the fires of climate change. Unfortunately, a large police presence including a helicopter, Drone surveillance and state police in riot gear prevented us from reaching the coal and we were arrested just a few hundred yards from our goal.

The demonstration was peaceful, prayerful, and powerful. And we will be back to shut down Merrimack for good. In the meantime, check out all the photos and videos at the website, or watch the epic livestream from our partners at 350 NH below.