Saturday, January 14, 2012

Take Action in DC!

Spring semester is underway, and EcoAction will have a ton of great events for you this semester! Stay tuned for posts about our spring programming and about eco-friendly back-to-school tips. 

Until then, there are a few exciting opportunities for environmental activism here in DC in the coming weeks. Before the workload gets too heavy, try to get out into the city and attend a rally or protest about a green issue that matters to you. 

First, a crucial rally around the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. We've been covering this since the summer, and we've had a Georgetown presence at the arrests in August and September, and also at the rally at the White House in November. For more information on the pipeline issue, check out this great overview from Friends of the Earth, or go to 350.org (the Tar Sands Action group, organized by Bill McKibben, is now part of McKibben's organization 350.org). 

The next demonstration is on Monday, January 23 - the day that Congress returns to business. McKibben and the great people at 350.org are taking a stand against the big money behind the pipeline, especially the excessive influence of the American Petroleum Institute. McKibben notes that "the 234 Congresspeople who voted to expedite Keystone had taken $42 million in dirty energy money." The demonstration will start on Capitol Hill at 3:00 PM and then move to the headquarters of the American Petroleum Institute. Sign up here

(Also, take just a few seconds to send a message to Obama, declaring your opposition to Keystone XL!) 


Second, there are two great opportunities coming up to get involved with OccupyDC. Although these events aren't specifically focused on environmental issues, environmentalism is a crucial component of Occupy's mission. 

On Tuesday, January 17, Congress reconvenes, and there will be a day-long rally called Occupy Congress. Demonstrators will meet at 9 AM on Capitol Hill, and there will be trainings, general assemblies, teach-ins, and more, leading up to a rally at 6 PM. Check out the website and the event schedule. There's also a Facebook event


 

On Sunday, January 29, at 3:00 PM, the first general assembly for DC students involved with Occupy will take place in McPherson Square. We'll outline our functions and capabilities in the Occupy movement and unite as students. More information on the Facebook event. Also, join the Georgetown Occupy Facebook group for updates about an upcoming meeting of GU Occupy here on campus. 

And one last thing - write for the blog! Email gu.ecoaction@gmail.com or madelinecollins0@gmail.com if you're interested in contributing to Renewable Energy Turns Me On. You can write on any subject, or post artwork or photographs! If you have an interest, this is your forum for speaking out on the environmental issues that matter to you. 

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