By Elizabeth Willoughby on
Susan Sarandon's soft and soothing voice narrates a new public service announcement urging the public’s participation in an act of peaceful civil disobedience early next month.
In an effort to bring attention to the climate crisis and the coal-fired power plants that are a contributor to global warming in the US, thousands are expected to rally at the Spirit of Justice Park and then move towards the Capitol Power Plant on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
“The American people will take a stand at Congress’ own coal-fired power plant,” says Sarandon, “a glaring symbol of coal’s hold over our government.”
A national coalition of diverse advocacy groups, Capitol Climate Action is determined to deliver a strong and clear message to the country’s new administration right up front. “The world is waiting for the Obama administration and Congress to lead the way forward on this defining issue of our time,” says Dr James Hansen, a climate scientologist. “They need to start by getting coal out of Congress.”
During the days leading up to the protest date are other planned events hosted by various groups within the coalition. Train travel from California to Washington, a “young people’s” protest expected to be 10,000 strong, CCA speakers and a lobby on Capitol Hill will precede March 2nd’s final rally at the Spirit of Justice Park at 1:00.
Like Gandhi and Martin Luther King did in the past, Sarandon asks people to take a stand on this important issue: “They were willing to stand up for what’s right, even if it meant peacefully breaking the law.”
Al Gore is apparently of the same mind. On CCA’s home page they offer this quote from Gore: “I can’t understand why there aren’t rings of young people blocking bulldozers and preventing them from constructing coal-fired power plants.”
“Civil disobedience can overcome great challenges,” says Sarandon. “And global warming is the greatest challenge of our time.”
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