The “Break Free” gathering at Indigenous Day of Action
Over three dozen regional organizations participated in a three-day event last weekend to promote clean energy and the elimination of fossil fuels and their transportation as a response to climate change. Fifty-two protesters were arrested and later released.
Sharon Abreu, co-founder with Michael Hurwicz of Irthlings non-profit environmental education organization, joined the activists and protestors for the Break Free event. She reports:
“As a climate change educator since 2000, I had to attend the Break Free (from fossil fuels) event in Anacortes this past weekend.
“Break Free events took place on six continents, focusing in on areas that are currently heavily dependent on the extraction or processing of fossil fuels.
“I was very pleased to have been invited to sing (along with my partner, Mike Hurwicz) and to do my show “The Climate Monologues” at the opening of the People’s Climate Conference which took place along with the Break Free actions on Friday evening. There were several excellent presentations scheduled in the Transit Shed in Anacortes for people who didn’t want to participate in the direct actions but who wanted to learn more about the ideas and concerns behind Break Free. Topics included the need for a “Just Transition” to a sustainable renewable energy economy that provides good retraining programs and new living wage jobs for those currently working in the fossil fuel industry, and “Solutionary Rail” which sets forth a vision for how our railways can be used in ways that conserve energy rather than promote the burning of fossil fuels.
“On Saturday, Mike and I attended the Indigenous Day of Action, which included a water blessing ceremony, singing, dancing and speeches by people from several of the Coast Salish tribes. A large canoe of rowers from the Lummi Nation arrived on the beach to an enthusiastically welcoming crowd. There was a lot of positive energy and celebrating of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ rejection of the application for the proposed coal terminal at Cherry Point. It was an inspiring and enjoyable afternoon, overcast but not raining, not too warm or too cool.
“We walked three miles from the March Point Park & Ride to the beach where the three-hour event took place. A few hundred people attended. Some of us led chanting and singing along the route. After the event, many of us walked the three miles back to the Park & Ride (some rode in shuttles) and we shared a salmon dinner cooked by volunteers at the Transit Shed at the base of Commercial Avenue.
“Mike and I didn’t participate in the civil disobedience action on the railroad tracks, but we are supportive of those who put themselves on the line, peacefully and respectfully, to make a statement about the need to transition our society and economy away from their dependence on fossil fuels in order to ensure clean air and water and to respond to global climate change by significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions over the next several years.
“And by the way, rumors of protesters leaving garbage on the tracks stem from the fact that police forbade participants from removing any items from the location. BNSF/police then removed the confiscated evidence within four hours.
“Many thanks to all the volunteers and the cooks at Break Free Pacific Northwest! And of course to all those putting themselves on the line for us and for our children’s future.”
(For more info: facebook.com/breakfreepnw https://www.goskagit.com/news/break-free-event-builds-off-local-activism/article_024b80dd-122a-59fb-86ba-c1e22d44cb22.html )
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The protests that occurred in Anacortes this past weekend certainly highlighted the impact that our culture is having on the environment and the resultant consequences of climate change. The suggestion that the climate of spaceship Earth is not changing, and warming, is to embrace denial that flies in the face of obvious reality. The calving of a chunk of Anarctica the size of Rhode Island surely speaks to that reality.
However, in observing the news coverage of the events in Anacortes, there is an obvious contradiction that deflates the impact of the message. A multitude of kayaks were paddled around the refineries that were made of PLASTIC, probably fiberglas. Too, all of those plastic kayaks were transported to the area on the top of cars that were powered by fossil fuel.
What a shame that those kayaks were not, in fact, made of wood like the Lummis were likely rowing. As a society, a culture, we further contradict our concerns about such environmental issues by turning away from the technology of electric cars, or solar energy as soon as the price of gasoline drops. Too, in a different context, we all opt for the less costly goods that are made overseas rather than support American workers who would hope to make enough money to afford that electric car and support the trend away from reliance on fossil fuels.
The bottom line is that we contradict ourselves every day in so many ways that a transition to a more sustainable culture that protects spaceship Earth is almost impossible.
There would be no demonstration if not able to use what is available.
There would be no need of demonstration if the use of fossil fuels is suspended.
Remember, the majority of folks who demonstrate are already living with more conservation awareness….
responsibility is the ability to respond, each one of us can improve our enviorment by simple behavior walking, car pooling. starting a small garden, picking up litter.in the big picture the planet could do fine without us !!! how about using the awareness of those who have come before us?let us then think seven generations ahead ,when making our plans. just a thought.