In the midst of ongoing climate catastrophes (the deadly tornado outbreak through the mid-South and Midwest most likely fueled by climate change being just the latest example), I must find hope amid despair. I’m finding it right now in OccupyBiden.
Here's the description from the website: “From Christmas Day, December 25th, to New Year’s Day, January 1, people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds will be participating in an outdoors Climate Justice Occupation within a mile of President Biden’s house in Wilmington, DE. We will be calling upon him to show true climate leadership by pledging to:
• Issue an Executive Order declaring a climate emergency; and, accordingly,
• Mandate that all federal government agencies oppose any new fossil fuel projects
"Join with us for part of a day, for a full day, for several days or for the full week by signing up here. https://forms.gle/Y9wVYVjNCM6GCKnF9. For more info: [email protected].
"It is because we are in a climate emergency that we are taking this action during the most important holiday season of the year, and braving the elements in doing so. Repeated, persistent and strong nonviolent action by organized people is an absolutely essential component of bringing about the changes urgently needed.
"While taking action on climate, we will stand in solidarity with the many other justice fights being waged on related issues. We stand in opposition to voter suppression and to all forms of racism/white supremacy. We work to build a truly just and democratic society grounded in respect and care for every culture, being and ecosystem. We support the rights of women to control their own bodies and health care decisions and affordable health care for all. We support immigrant rights and the right to organize and unionize on the job. We support peace and shifting money out of the military budget to human and environmental needs. We support the right to nonviolent protest and protections for whistleblowers.
"We will take action together during this week on the basis of these four principles:
• We will create a vision and culture with the next seven generations as priority
• We will use all nonviolent means to make this happen
• We welcome everyone, including our own selves, for learning, listening and challenging ingrained attitudes that limit our collective strength
• We realize we are part of a system that must change; therefore no individual or community is to be blamed or shamed
"While this event is about demanding climate action in the face of woeful inaction by our government, we also call on our community to take this opportunity to work with others from all aspects of our social, environmental and political scene and in this way strengthen and enrich our movement for the people.”
Hot meals will be served by the amazing Seeds of Peace collective (but bring your own snacks); phones and laptops can be charged by the solar-powered Sun Bus; there’ll be holiday caroling with clever climate lyrics; we’ll be showing dozens of climate action videos on a loop; participating orgs will be tabling and leading discussions; and except for one day, the highs will be in the mid-40s to mid-50s – I guess you could call that a pleasant climate change impact, though of course a terrible sign for the long haul, as historic highs for that week have been 41-42 degrees.
Some folks will be sleeping on-site to make it a 24/7 occupation, while others will stay in motels or do day trips from nearby areas. Above is the set up of the big tent.
Be sure to sign up at the link above to get the whole info packet. You will need to show proof of vaccination upon arrival and we’re all masking up, even though it’s outdoors, in an effort to outwit Omicron.
Please join us, or donate to help defray costs!