Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The Leadership Campaign is Acting (and Camping!) Out to Fight Climate Change

Environment Massachusetts works to fight global warming through lobbying and grassroots outreach, but there are many other ways to do this, as well. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize a group of activists who are fighting to save our climate through an act of civil disobedience.

The Leadership Campaign "aims to make Mass a climate leader again by achieving 100% Clean Electricity in the next 10 years to show the world we're ready for an ambitious agreement in Copenhagen." They have brought their campaign to the steps of the State House by staging a "sleep out" on the Boston Common every Sunday night for the past several weeks. Their presence has added a powerful visual to the fight against global warming for anyone who has seen the groups of tents set up each week.

This action is not as simple as a regular camping trip. Because the Common closes to the public at 11 pm, the activists have already had two peaceful run-in with the Boston Police Department. In spite of this and the rapidly dropping temperature, the Leadership Campaign is standing their ground.

We here at Environment Massachusetts applaud the activism and goals of the Leadership Campaign, and sincerely hope their message is heard in the State House.

1 comment:

  1. Thank you Environment Massachusetts!
    We've actually had 4 run-ins with Boston Police, resulting in what may turn out to be over 300 citations. Two weeks ago was the most impressive - 140 participants were summoned out of their tents at 3AM by BPD. We were told that we have the option to leave and not receive a citation. Police waited, and repeated their offer. Not a single person left.

    Our campaign has also drawn some enviro-celebrities...Bill McKibben and Dr. James Hansen both slept out in November with us and both received citations for their trespassing.

    Our movement has just begun and we welcome any and all to join.
    www.theleadershipcampaign.org

    -Dan Abrams
    Boston & New Media Coordinator
    The Leadership Campaign

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