Greenpeace

It’s no surprise that people all around the country are still upset about the BP oil disaster in the Gulf. Personally, I go back and forth between sadness and anger and it’s been really hard to sit back and watch one of America’s worst environmental catastrophes and feel pretty helpless about what I can do for the people in the Gulf.

Even more frustrating are the recent reports that things are just dandy now that the oil leak has been capped. But thanks to the Arctic Sunrise, we are starting to see that the reality is much grimmer. Almost 80 percent of the oil is still there and now its threatening the fragile ecosystem and could bring the Gulf’s sperm whale population to extinction. And on top of all of this, BP is starting to drill in the much most turbulent Arctic Ocean on artificial islands. Are you kidding me!

Enough is enough with dangerous off shore drilling projects and Big Oil companies destroying our environment and heating up our climate. That's why I'm taking action with a local coalition of environmental and social organizations called the Mobilization for Climate Justice. Together we’ll be training hundreds of Bay Area folks in the philosophy and tangible skills of Non-violent Direct Action this Sunday, August 29th. And on Monday, we’re taking to the streets to send a message to Big Oil that we will not stand for their reckless drilling practices or the human toll that comes with them. You can find out more information here:
Aug 29 & 30th: Resist BP & Big Oil! Training & Action

Monday’s action is particularly significant for me because I have come to the point in my life where I am willing to risk arrest for my beliefs. I believe the time has come for action beyond words to really show my commitment to stopping the status quo of our unsustainable, unhealthy and unfair fossil fuel-based economy. I won’t be alone on Monday either — I’ll be standing side by side with fellow activists, some whom have been risking arrest for decades and some of who are new to it just like me. As I start to mentally prepare for Monday, I remember the rich history of non-violent direct action and civil disobedience that has significantly changed both politics and public opinion on some of the most pressing issues of our times. I’m looking forward to joining in this tradition and if you’re in the Bay Area, I hope you can join us as well.