Another huge group of more than 100 people put themselves on the line and got arrested in front of the White House today.
This whole action has ben remarkably well organized. The recruiters have brought people in from all over North America, day after day. The trainers have efficiently and effectively prepared them to participate in each day’s peaceful protest. The media people have done a great job of attracting attention from the mainstream press, and Bill McKibben has been a powerful spokesman, both in his own statements and in television and radio debates with pipeline supporters.
Because of the organization, this action has progressed in a smooth and effective way. Of course, it is the dedication and depth of feeling of the participants that has provided the essential motive force that has been directed by the organizers. There hasn’t been a civil disobedience action like this in the American environmental movement in a long time. The depth of support is evidence for how concerned people are about this pipeline, about the oil sands generally, and about climate change.
I met Joseph Romm at the protest today. Previously, I reviewed one of his books.
He also has a great blog.
The protest has been quite effective in raising awareness among people I have been speaking with. It is known about and respected, It has raised my awareness including spawning me to some action including less use of car and participation in a Moving Planet day event on Sept. 24 on Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver organized under the 350.org umbrella.
I think the most important responses will take the form of more energetic political engagement, rather than actions intended to reduce one’s personal environmental impact. We need systemic level change, not voluntary action undertaken by a tiny subset of the population. That said, taking action personally can be important for maintaining credibility.