It’s getting late, so for now I’m just going to post a few videos and photos from tonight’s amazing “Rally for the Planet” at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington. Speakers included: Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke); David Sligh, Conservation Director at Wild Virginia; Union Hill community members impacted by Atlantic Coast Pipeline; Jonathan Sokolow, Activist, attorney and small business owner; Montina Cole, Senior Attorney, Sustainable FERC Project, Climate & Clean Energy Program; Karenna Gore, Director of the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary; Red Terry, pipeline activist and landowner in Mountain Valley Pipeline path; and Alice Redhead, 100% Clean Energy Community Outreach Coordinator at the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter. Also check out the dancing and the most excellent karaoke singing by Del. Keam of “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey.
Again, I’ll write more tomorrow, but the bottom line is that speaker after speaker explained VERY clearly why the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Mountain Valley Pipeline make Z-E-R-O sense (actually less than zero sense) from an environmental, economic, or any other perspective. Karenna Gore’s speech was absolutely brilliant, as was Montina Cole’s (one of the best, most thorough arguments I’ve ever heard as to why these pipelines make no sense from an economic perspective). Alice Redhead delivered a superb explanation for why clean energy is the way to go. Red Terry was passionate, a bit profane, but right on point in her anger about the damage and destruction these unnecessary, boondoggle pipelines are doing and will continue to do.
In sum, this was a top-notch event – great speakers, packed house – with the only negative I’d point to as the absence of elected officials from Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, etc. Yes, your absence was VERY much noticed – and noted for future reference.
Del. Mark Keam sings Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.”
Music, Dancing
Emily Satterwhite
Sam Rasoul and Emily Satterwhite
Del. Sam Rasoul
Ella Rose
David Sligh
Jon Sokolow
Karenna Gore
Red Terry
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