This weekend three Swarthmore MJ alums went to the second Extreme Energy Summit in Minnesota. We were able to reconnect with activists from Central Appalachia whose organizing originally inspired Swarthmore MJ to take action. We are especially remembering Larry Gibson today, who has inspired countless young people to stand up for a more just world. We were also grateful to meet frontline organizers from all across the country who are fighting extreme energy in their communities. We heard from Indigenous leaders fighting against uranium mining and pipelines, just the latest battle in a centuries-long fight for sovereignty and treaty rights. We were reminded of ongoing struggles in the Gulf against refineries, climate impacts, and the BP oil spill. Fights to protect family farms from fracking, to stop 13 pipeline proposals all in the same region, to stand up against the first US tar sands mine in Utah, and more. Not only that, we heard from people creating their own solutions in resilience. From a permaculture blockade to community-owned solar projects, communities are taking their health into their own hands through resistance and creativity. We were reminded that fossil fuel divestment is a fledgling movement and we have so much to learn from the communities who have been waging this struggle for decades. We are so grateful to the activists who have spent their lives paving the way for this movement. Thank you.
Posted on: Tue, 10 Sep 2013 16:07:09 +0000
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