2009-12-17

From Pittsburgh to Copenhagen: Actions for the Earth in Solidarity with the COP15 Protesters

On December 9th, a Consol Energy (largest BTU Coal producer in the United States) sign was partially covered with a poster that said "CLEAN" COAL = DIRTY TRICK. The poster was not removed for the remaining time that the ad was up.

On December 10th local environmental group PECAN held a vigil in the freezing weather to demand real action against climate change. A huge banner was displayed by environmentalists that read "Climate Action Now". Approximately 45 children, students, and adults alike came to speak out, despite the wind chill dropping the weather below 5 degrees. Audio/Images/Video from this event can be heard here:

Part 1: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/38040

Part 2: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/38064WELL

December 12 was called as a global day of action in resistance to the COP15 summit and in solidarity with that days mass protests. Whether these solidarity protests were large or small, militant or passive, they are an important expression of our solidarity. It is a solidarity which recognizes the interdependence of people across the planet.

In the day on December 12th, a student group and avaaz held their own vigils to bring attention to these issues once again.

On the evening of December 12th, people from multiple networks convened in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh for an unpermitted march in solidarity with those marching in Copenhagen. A banner was dropped on the side of Forbes Ave- a main road- that read "CAPITALISM ISN'T GREEN (A) (E)". The group of activists including environmentalists, anarchists, and others then marched on the streets carrying black flags and banners reading "Our Climate is not for Sale" and "Govt is War, Anarchy=Peace". Those who marched shouted chants like "System Change not Climate Change!" and "Who's streets? Our streets!".

The response from the public was extremely positive. Protesters where met with honks and cheers from the passing cars and a maintenance worker from a local university aided in blocking the street for the protesters. Eventually, the march was met by police forces who showed a display of lights and noise and eventually forced the protesters onto the sidewalk with their cars. No arrests or detentions occurred. We were more fortunate in this way than so many suffering police and state brutality and repression right now in Copenhagen.

There were also reports of damage later in the evening of December 12th to an establishment of Kentucky Fried Chicken- notorious factory farmers, environmental polluters, and animal abusers.

December 18th will be the final Pittsburgh action where members from various groups and backgrounds will meet in front of PNC Bank downtown to educate people about climate change and how to do their part. Protesters will stand with signs alongside "Billionaires for Climate Change" who will also hold signs showing their true colors.For more info on this bank's green-washing ideas: http://greenapple.ca/blog/2009/10/29/green-wall-or-green-wash/

Around the world we see people's desire to dramatically reduce emissions in the face of government and corporate opposition to real change. The continued roadblocks created by corporations who worry about reduced profits and offer false solutions that will do little but increase the flow of wealth of public money to private interests. The market is not the solution. Meanwhile, those in the global south who have contributed least to the problem are now facing the effects and simultaneously being asked to accept fundamentally unfair agreements that institutionalize the right of countries such as ours to pollute at greater levels.

Thankfully, the global movement for climate justice is also in Copenhagen, where tens of thousands of people are participating in a wide range of protests and direct actions. They are there to resist corporate influence on the proceedings, pressure for more systemic change in society, and demand equitable agreements between countries. In response, as Pittsburghers are no doubt aware from our experience during the G20, Denmarks government and police are engaged in a massive campaign of disinformation and repression.

Source: http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=2009cop15-solidarity