ACe line 5 rally & petition! August 19, Madison (MORE...)
Report from Chelsea, 350MKE member:
Saturday, August 19th, 2023 saw beautiful sunny weather in Madison in time for a farmer’s market rally organized by Action on Climate Emergency (ACE). It was so cool to see youths and elders across the state teaming up to gain attention and public participation to sign a petition urging Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to shut down Enbridge’s Line 5, an intrusive tar sands oil pipeline that has been trespassing on Bad River Reservation since their 1977 treaty agreement expired in 2013. The pipeline has spilled 33 times losing 1.1 million gallons in 55 years since 1968. Michigan pipeline safety and advisory board agrees that there should be no oil transported where the pipeline will still stay after the proposed “reroute” off the reservation, and if it should spill it could cost $6.3 billion and priceless damage to ecosystems.
A group of about 70 people, from high school students to lifelong activists (one of whom calls herself Bad Ass Grandma), came together to collect signatures, to chant and hold infographics and signs telling the DNR to shut down the pipeline. Protesters were from ACE, a group uniting high schoolers around the state and country; 350 Milwaukee & 350 Wisconsin, a global climate group aimed at stopping fossil fuel projects, halting fossil fuel finance, and powering campaigns for energy justice; Wisconsin Conservation Voters, advocates for sound environmental laws and policies, holding elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and electing pro-conservation candidates; and other groups in the community that recognize the moment we are honored to fight for. My favorite moment from the rally came when we were chanting to condemn Exxon, Shell, and BP oil to Hell and farmers market patrons smiled and chanted along with us!
After gaining as many signatures as we could in 3 hours, we marched around the capitol, then ended with a press conference outside the DNR’s office. This was a very rewarding day as we got hundreds of signatures to present to the WI DNR. Each person who signed participated in democracy. It’s our right as people on this planet to have a say on the pollution that’s being emitted and decisions being made on our behalf. No government agent is exempt from putting people’s health and the health of the planet above everything else.
I spoke to many of the activists who showed up and everyone was very clear on why we were there: climate change can’t wait and Wisconsin has to shut down Line 5. Some protesters were shy, some were outgoing, and some were off-and-on. Anyone can participate in actions like this one. Climate Justice is a matter of speaking truth to power: we are in a climate emergency and are holding government agencies accountable. The demonstration was safe, friendly, and warm-hearted. ACE provided water and snacks, sunscreen, signs, and chant scripts. They provided transportation to Madison from Milwaukee, and ordered pizza for everyone for after the rally. Every youth ACE member at the press conference was eloquent in their demands that their watersheds, environment, and their futures be prioritized by natural resource agencies contracting with Enbridge.
One of my biggest takeaways from their speeches was this: If Line 5 doesn’t get shut down, we will blame Enbridge when it spills again. But that spilled oil, the medical bills, and the blood of the dead will be on the hands of those at Wisconsin DNR who ignored our demands.
There’s still time to sign the Wisconsin DNR Petition here!
There was so much to feel good about at the end of the day on Saturday, but the biggest one is seeing how many people truly support the mission of having a sustainable future. Signing the petition makes a difference, calling your leaders makes a difference, and since they have been neglecting their duties of hosting public comment sessions on their fossil fuel projects, allowing fossil fuel companies to go 10 years violating treaties, and appealing no-brainer court decisions, this is the way we can hold them accountable. Shutting down this one pipeline will take agreements between Wisconsin, Michigan, the United States, Canada, and the sovereign Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Climate action takes united action and combining forces with groups like ACE and 350 will ensure we have a future. If you know of Canadian and Michigan climate organizations to contact, let us know! To join the movement in Wisconsin visit:
acespace.org/#join-us
350Milwaukee
350.org/get-involved
Chelsea
Saturday, August 19th, 2023 saw beautiful sunny weather in Madison in time for a farmer’s market rally organized by Action on Climate Emergency (ACE). It was so cool to see youths and elders across the state teaming up to gain attention and public participation to sign a petition urging Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to shut down Enbridge’s Line 5, an intrusive tar sands oil pipeline that has been trespassing on Bad River Reservation since their 1977 treaty agreement expired in 2013. The pipeline has spilled 33 times losing 1.1 million gallons in 55 years since 1968. Michigan pipeline safety and advisory board agrees that there should be no oil transported where the pipeline will still stay after the proposed “reroute” off the reservation, and if it should spill it could cost $6.3 billion and priceless damage to ecosystems.
A group of about 70 people, from high school students to lifelong activists (one of whom calls herself Bad Ass Grandma), came together to collect signatures, to chant and hold infographics and signs telling the DNR to shut down the pipeline. Protesters were from ACE, a group uniting high schoolers around the state and country; 350 Milwaukee & 350 Wisconsin, a global climate group aimed at stopping fossil fuel projects, halting fossil fuel finance, and powering campaigns for energy justice; Wisconsin Conservation Voters, advocates for sound environmental laws and policies, holding elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and electing pro-conservation candidates; and other groups in the community that recognize the moment we are honored to fight for. My favorite moment from the rally came when we were chanting to condemn Exxon, Shell, and BP oil to Hell and farmers market patrons smiled and chanted along with us!
After gaining as many signatures as we could in 3 hours, we marched around the capitol, then ended with a press conference outside the DNR’s office. This was a very rewarding day as we got hundreds of signatures to present to the WI DNR. Each person who signed participated in democracy. It’s our right as people on this planet to have a say on the pollution that’s being emitted and decisions being made on our behalf. No government agent is exempt from putting people’s health and the health of the planet above everything else.
I spoke to many of the activists who showed up and everyone was very clear on why we were there: climate change can’t wait and Wisconsin has to shut down Line 5. Some protesters were shy, some were outgoing, and some were off-and-on. Anyone can participate in actions like this one. Climate Justice is a matter of speaking truth to power: we are in a climate emergency and are holding government agencies accountable. The demonstration was safe, friendly, and warm-hearted. ACE provided water and snacks, sunscreen, signs, and chant scripts. They provided transportation to Madison from Milwaukee, and ordered pizza for everyone for after the rally. Every youth ACE member at the press conference was eloquent in their demands that their watersheds, environment, and their futures be prioritized by natural resource agencies contracting with Enbridge.
One of my biggest takeaways from their speeches was this: If Line 5 doesn’t get shut down, we will blame Enbridge when it spills again. But that spilled oil, the medical bills, and the blood of the dead will be on the hands of those at Wisconsin DNR who ignored our demands.
There’s still time to sign the Wisconsin DNR Petition here!
There was so much to feel good about at the end of the day on Saturday, but the biggest one is seeing how many people truly support the mission of having a sustainable future. Signing the petition makes a difference, calling your leaders makes a difference, and since they have been neglecting their duties of hosting public comment sessions on their fossil fuel projects, allowing fossil fuel companies to go 10 years violating treaties, and appealing no-brainer court decisions, this is the way we can hold them accountable. Shutting down this one pipeline will take agreements between Wisconsin, Michigan, the United States, Canada, and the sovereign Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Climate action takes united action and combining forces with groups like ACE and 350 will ensure we have a future. If you know of Canadian and Michigan climate organizations to contact, let us know! To join the movement in Wisconsin visit:
acespace.org/#join-us
350Milwaukee
350.org/get-involved
Chelsea
Nearly 200 people at the market signed the petition. ACE is planning to present the petition to the DNR on September 15 and is aiming for 500+ signatures.
So if you haven't signed yet, would you add your name and help them hit that number?
It only takes a minute!
So if you haven't signed yet, would you add your name and help them hit that number?
It only takes a minute!
News Coverage
From Channel 3000+ - Activists Call for Line 5 shut downRead the Channel 3000 article here.
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From WKOW - Activists pressure DNR to shut down Wisconsin oil pipeline |
Video from the event
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end the era of fossil fuels! june 9, chicago & Madison (MORE...)
Right now, we are in a critical moment of escalation. In September of this year UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is calling for a global climate accountability summit in New York City where the explicit “ticket to entry” will be tangible action to keep fossil fuels in the ground.
This is a key opportunity to pressure Biden to take bold climate action and stop sacrificing frontline, Black, Indigenous and people of the global majority to the greed of Big Oil & Gas.
Starting this June and leading up to September, we will be taking action with national and international partners to make it clear that siding with Big Oil is a political liability for Biden.
A key piece of this escalation arc will be distributed actions June 8 - 11th 2023. During this time local groups will be taking bold, creative, and disruptive actions to lift up their local fights against oil and gas developments.
JOIN US! Our fight for climate justice is connected, and Biden is one target we have in common.
This is a key opportunity to pressure Biden to take bold climate action and stop sacrificing frontline, Black, Indigenous and people of the global majority to the greed of Big Oil & Gas.
Starting this June and leading up to September, we will be taking action with national and international partners to make it clear that siding with Big Oil is a political liability for Biden.
A key piece of this escalation arc will be distributed actions June 8 - 11th 2023. During this time local groups will be taking bold, creative, and disruptive actions to lift up their local fights against oil and gas developments.
JOIN US! Our fight for climate justice is connected, and Biden is one target we have in common.
There were 60+ events scheduled across the U.S.
End the Era of Fossil Fuels | June 8 - 11th 2023 Distributed Actions
End the Era of Fossil Fuels | June 8 - 11th 2023 Distributed Actions
The rally began at the Kluczynski building with a kickoff rally. We then marched to Chase Tower where speakers noted the role of big banks in financing fossil fuel companies. Then we marched to the Aon Center - the HQ of People's Gas (People's Gas is a subsidiary of WEC which also owns We Energies!).
At the rallies and marching along Chicago's street we were accompanied by the Windy City Ramblers in a New Orleans Style funeral procession bringing a lot of attention and dancing to the march! |
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End Fossil Fuel Infrastructure - Wisconsin Capitol, Friday, June 9, 2023
Have you seen the video of our AMAZING action last Friday? The event brought together talented musicians, artists, and passionate activists to protect the Great Lakes from a looming environmental catastrophe with Line 5. Thank you to the singers, the banner holders, the artists, the speakers, and everyone else who made this event happen. |