The Whistle Stop Rally
If you’re reading this you probably have heard about The People’s Climate March in NYC September 21. But did you hear about the People’s Climate Train?
At the time of this writing, there are 170 people signed up to catch a three-day Amtrak train in their respective towns as it travels from San Fransisco to New York City. By the time it arrives in New York, those people make up more than half of the riders of said train. And I’m one of them!
(Read more about the Whistle Stop Rally in Denver to welcome & send off delegates here)
Up until two weeks ago I wasn’t even sure if I would even be able to make it to New York for the march, let alone ride the train, take part in all of the workshops and group discussions, all while having the privilege of seeing the entire US country side in full harvest whizz by my side window. Who gets to do that?
However, I’ve been given a huge gift. The Center for Biological Diversity, the group organizing the train, has given me a scholarship in a sum almost equal to that of the cost for the train ticket (thanks, guys!). Without it I would definitely be unable to go. In fact, I’m still fund raising to cover the remaining costs and ensure that 350 Colorado can do more actions like this in the future.
The gratitude I have for this gift is unmeasurable. The best I can do to repay it is to represent 350 Colorado in New York at the People’s Climate March.
Why I’m really going
I could talk endlessly about the issues (fracking, tar sands, toxic mining, etc.) that affect this area of the country, but I won’t. The reason I’m going is not to bring awareness to the public about these things. That’s an ongoing battle all to itself. I’m attending the People’s Climate March because I believe in the power of people. I believe that we have the collective power to take back our country and our Earth; to rewrite the future that we choose, not one that is chosen for us by corporate power and political might. I believe the time for us to exercise our power is now. And that’s what 350 is all about: people power.
Our government only holds as much power as we are willing to give it. Should we choose to get informed, rise up and take the streets, then take back our Capitol, we will prevail. If on September 21st, 2014 the streets of New York City are filled with 200,000+ people as is estimated, it will send a message to not only our elected officials, but to our fellow Americans. That message will vibrate across all corners of this nation whether the mainstream media chooses to talk about it or not. 200,000 people can not so easily go unheard or unnoticed.
There is a growing movement rising all around us and the message is clear: we won’t let anyone, not even ourselves, destroy this Earth we call home. The expression of this power will begin to reveal itself on this momentous occasion, but it’ll be just that, a beginning.
Will this march generate policy change? I sure hope so. But more importantly, will it mark a defining moment in our history when the masses rose to demand change in how we treat our planet? Most definitely, yes.
That’s what I believe and that’s why I’ll be at the Whistle Stop Rally to take the People’s Climate Train to the People’s Climate March.
Thank you to everyone who has made this amazing journey possible. I’ll see you there.
In gratitude and solidarity,
Katie
PPS: Follow me on Twitter on the 21st for live updates!
============================================
The Denver Whistle Stop Rally
Tuesday, September 16th, 2014 6:00-7:00pm
Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver
RSVP on Facebook
Put on your favorite blue and green regalia and join us for a send-off full of fanfare, songs, speakers, marching and family fun!
