Yesterday I was in Portland ME at a rally to oppose proposed
transport of tar sands oil products via pipeline from Alberta to Portland.
Portland police estimated 1,400 to 1,500 participants, and there are other
details in today's Boston Globe among other news outlets.
All of those people turning out in Portland to protect the
planet was deeply inspiring. I was especially moved by the Native American Pow
Wow drumming, music, and dance. A rotating team of people beat the drum
steadily throughout the day. The artwork on the ~4 foot diameter skin of the
drum, included the words, "One heartbeat. One earth. One people". This morning I woke up thinking about those
words and the sound of the drum.
In this morning's Boston Globe article, a fossil fuel
industry spokesperson complained that people in the rally are opposed to all
petroleum products. Yes. So, it seems the rally did help get the message
across.
In Washington D.C. on 2/17, there will be a next rally tooppose the Keystone XL pipeline. That rally will be many times bigger and more
impactful than yesterday's rally in Portland. Based on my experience yesterday
in Portland, the Washington D.C. rally is going to be very worthwhile.
There are some play-by-play observations in Twitter. The Boston Globe coverage is in January 27, 2013, page B6. Many photos, including those taken from helicopter can be accessed via the 350MA web site.
