The Convergence for Climate Action’s Southeast gathering is happening quietly this week in the mountains near Asheville.
This is the first of what the organizers hope to be an annual event. The primary goals, according to a handout, are “to overcome feelings of isolation and helplessness by bringing people together to create a community of resistance. We hope the convergence inspires people to take action, share ideas and start organizing in their own localities and spheres of interest. (For details, you can check out their web site. For background on the issues and ways to plug into the movement, see the Nuclear Information and Resource Service’s Web site.)
The week’s schedule is packed with workshops designed to grow awareness and build organizing skills among participants, who came from as far as Florida and DC to join the gathering. Workshops included media and fundraising training, puppet building and street theater, and panel discussions on a variety of topics.
Network Director Brett Bursey chats with Mary Olson, director of Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS).
On Friday, Brett was invited to speak on a panel titled “Elders of the Movement.” He and the others on the panel talked about how and why to fight the fallout of corportate greed and environmental exploitation that is destroying our country. The panel held court in a campfire circle that included kids as young as 10 and seniors old enough to nod out during the discussion.
Event organizer Glenn Carroll, center, directs preparations for a Nagasaki remembrance Friday evening.
Vegetarian meals were eaten al fresco.
As fellow organizers, we were gratified and energized by our time at the camp. With so much work to be done and such paltry resources to do it, we take strength in knowing there are more of “us” (people who care about the health of the planet and all of its residents) than “them” (corporate and political interests that benefit from the current power structure). We just need to mobilize and harness that energy.
We look forward to next year’s gathering.
Becci Robbins
Activists Mobilize and Protest Amidst Overwhelming Police Presence
Today a massive police operation was deployed in Buncombe, Henderson, and Transylvania Counties to prevent activists from protesting a dirty power plant responsible for climate change. Dozens of uniformed and undercover cops surrounded the site of the Southeast Convergence for Climate Action as a police helicopter hovered over the site.
In addition, dozens more police were deployed at Progress Energy’s Skyland coal power plant to prevent legitimate protest against dirty energy and climate change. “This shows which side of the climate debate the government is on. They have spent tens of thousands of dollars to protect the coal industry today. Clearly if the government wanted to address climate change, they would be sending the police in to arrest the heads of Progress Energy for perpetuating the greatest threat humanity has ever faced – climate change,†an anonymous polar bear said.
In spite of the overwhelming police presence, Climate Convergence activists took a bold direct action against Bank of America over concerns regarding their investment throughout the coal cycle and their promotion of climate injustice. Although there was much speculation regarding a protest action at the Progress Energy Skyland coal-fired power plant, protestors surprised the downtown office of Bank of America.
Two activists locked down inside the main lobby and other activists blockaded the entrance to the downtown branch of Bank of America. The protest included a large, lively group of concerned citizens dressed as canaries and polar bears. Activists carried signs and banners that read: “Bank of America Stop Funding Climate Change,†“Bank of America Stop Mountaintop Removal,†“No Coal, No Nukes, No Kidding†“Bank of America Climate Criminal.â€
Police violently arrested 5 nonviolent activists at Monday’s Bank of America action, and we spent $4,000 to bail them out. Several people lent us the money, but we need to get donations to pay them back, as well as to pay further legal fees and, eventually, to fund further direct actions. To donate via PayPal please send money to risingtide@mountainrebel.net or follow this link. You can make checks payable to Rising Tide North America, and make sure to write “southeast convergence action” in the memo field. Mail checks to: Rising Tide North America, PO Box 16851, Asheville, NC 28816. Every little bit helps!