With the main march as well as a number of other civic events that were planned to accompany official negotiations at the COP21 climate conference in Paris cancelled, organizers have called on people around the world to step in and come out onto the streets for “the biggest global climate march in history” to protest “on behalf of those who can’t.” While it is somewhat understandable (though a bummer) that the 200,000 people who were expected to show their support for Grandma Earth in the streets of Paris next week won’t be able to do so, it is looking as if this blow to all things life-affirming is only spreading new and diverse spores instead of the deathly silence and fear that terrorism seeks.
There are currently 2355 events all over the globe scheduled for next weekend, November 28/29, and the number is growing by the hour. There’s an event finder here and 350.org has a map up to help you find your local events.
Find local groups around the world on the 350.org global mapThe hope is that these collective events will surpass the People’s Climate March last year, where 700,000 people showed up around the world to make their voices heard. It would certainly be a strong statement to all the violent nihilists that their destruction evokes an even stronger thirst and commitment among the citizens of the world to advocate on behalf of healing, of resilience, of creation itself.
As Emma Ruby-Sachs, the deputy director of the Paris match organizer Avaaz noted:
“The tragic attacks in Paris have made the march there impossible. Now it’s even more important for people everywhere to march on the weekend of 29 November on behalf of those who can’t, and show that we are more determined than ever to meet the challenges facing humanity with hope, not fear.”
Well, things got off to an amazing start yesterday, at the “Defend the Earth” Northern California Climate Mobilization in Oakland. About 3000-5000 people showed up to kick things off, among them a bunch of SF Kossacks. Following are some photos taken by navajo, kimoconnor and myself. This should really whet your appetite to get in on the action in your own local communities next weekend. It felt really good to be among kindreds and to see just how strong the winds are blowing in the direction of an ever deepening commitment to push ourselves and our fellow human beings on this planet into making the big meaningful changes we need.
On my way there, I had voiced my concern to my buddy Andy that perhaps not too many people would show up because everyone was too shaken up by everything. I probably said it also to not set myself up for disappointment, but that all was forgotten as soon as we got to Lake Merritt, where a solid crowd of people were already getting amped up...
Shortly after, we ran into our people…
then the march began to the beat of a drum orchestra…
This is what Daily Kos change-making looks like in the real world…
We really do have some of the most passionate activists around here...
Our South Bay folks even got to do some networking while marching, sorry for the blurry shot, I really shouldn’t shoot while walking…
The march went on through downtown Oakland…
with its beautiful backdrops…
and stopping for occasional dance parties…
as always, people were so creative in their expressions, some crafty…
some witty…
and some just very direct….
Meanwhile, navajo and Meteor Blades who were meeting us at Frank Ogawa Plaza, were not only getting some great views of the head of the march…
photo: navajobut were invited to join in at the front by their friend Penny Opal Plant and the Idle No More peops…
photo: navajoShe even captured the moment we met. I’m telling ya, those Plumbers…
photo: navajothey’re feisty ones…
photo: navajoI quickly got to catch up with Meteor Blades on the meaning of Democratic Socialism, all while the cops looked on, of course…
photo: navajobefore he moved on to impart some wisdom on Glen The Plumber…
while TLO and kimoconnor got to rest their weary bones for a bit…
after a selfie (or is it a “groupie?”)…
photo: navajowe hung out at Frank Ogawa Plaza, checking out a bunch of great speakers…
photo: navajolike this gentleman, who was speaking on behalf of the Ecuadorian rainforest…
photo: navajoand yup, their mics were all pedal-powered by Rock the Bike…
This being a bunch of SF Kossacks, we capped the almost 5 hour event with a visit to a bar…
Now, if that doesn’t want to make you get out and march, I don’t know. Here’s the info again for next week, I hope y’all will get out and beat the drums for some climate change sanity!
There are currently 2355 events all over the globe scheduled for next weekend, November 28/29, and the number is growing by the hour. There’s an event finder here and 350.org has a map up to help you find your local events.
Find local groups around the world on the 350.org global map