People Rising to Protect Our Earth and Our Rights!

Robert Kennedy Jr Being Arrested         AP Ann Heisenfelt

Yesterday, 48 activists were arrested for tying themselves to the White House gate to protest the Keystone XL Pipeline. The proposed pipeline is a "carbon bomb" that will increase carbon pollution to dangerous and potentially irreversible levels and create likely damaging spills. The people arrested include Robert Kennedy Jr and his son Conor, the executive director and president of Sierra Club (the first time in that organization's 150 years they approved of civil disobedience) Bill McGibbon of 350.org, NASA climate scientist James Hansen, Julian Bond and actress Darryl Hannah. James Hansen said the tar sands are "the dirtiest of fossil fuels" and that burning them would essentially mean "game over" to curb global warming. 

 "It's equivalent to burning coal in your automobile. We simply cannot be that stupid if we want to preserve a planet for our children and grandchildren," said Hansen.

Kudos to all arrested for preparing the way for the thousands who are converging in DC this Sunday, Feb 17 for the largest climate action in history. A Sierra bus from our area is already full, but Occupy New Platz is assessing whether another bus can be obtained if there is enough interest. Please write to Margaret Human corvasorora@yahoo.com or call 255-5727. Thanks to all who are going. You are making a difference.

  

From the UN Wire

Renewables could soon supply 80% of world's energy, Ban says

Politicians are lagging behind scientists and military leaders in sounding the alarm over climate change, and the consequences could be catastrophic, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this week. "It's time to move beyond spending enormous sums addressing the damage and to make investments that will repay themselves many times over," Ban said. "With the right enabling public policies, close to 80% of the world's energy supply could be met by renewables by mid-century. This is not utopian or science fiction. It is current fact," he added.

GOP Misogyny Continues

Twenty-two Republican Senators voted Tuesday against the Violence against Women Act (VAWA). Despite their obstructionism, the bill passed in the Senate overwhelmingly and now faces an uncertain future in the House. Please remember these 22!!

 

They are: Tim Scott, Mike Lee, Marco Rubio, Roy Blunt, Mike Lee, Ron Johnson , Mitch McConnell, Mike Johanns, Ted Cruz, Orrin Hatch, Jim Risch,  Jim Inhofe, Tom Cobun, John Thune, Rand Paul, Lindsey Graham, Pat Roberts, Jeff Sessions, John Boozman, John Cornyn, Chuck Grassley, John Barrasso and Michael Enzi 

Let's Fight Back Together!

DEFEND WOMEN'S RIGHTS!
Fight Back Against the War on Women

Thursday, March 7, 6:30PM

SUNY New Paltz

LC 100 (the biggest on campus!)

Dozens of community, labor, feminist, peace, justice, political and college
organizations are backing this Mid-Hudson regional commemoration of
International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 7. Rallies are taking place in
many U.S. towns, called nationally by Women Organized to Resist and Defend
(defendwomensrights.org).

The meeting is an answer to recent conservative attacks on women’s rights, to
which we respond: Stop Violence Against Women, Stop the War on Women’s
Rights, Defend Reproductive Justice, Full Equality for all Women Workers!

Speakers, singers, poets and videos will express these demands at the rally.
There will be plenty of information and ideas to take home and use. The
program is in formation — all speakers and endorsers will be posted soon at
http://activistnewsletter.blogspot.com/. 

The Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter is the organizer. Early endorsers include
the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation AFL-CIO, United University Professions
AFL-CIO (SUNY NP), New Paltz Women in Black, Amnesty International (local
branch), Bard College Student Labor Dialogue, Washbourne House (women
and children's shelter), Orange County Democratic Women, Ulster County
Democratic Women, Sociology Dept. (SUNY NP), Progressive Academic
Network (SUNY NP), Environmental Task Force (community/campus), NP
Climate Action Coalition, NYPIRG and OXFAM (SUNY NP chapters), Students
for a Free Palestine (SUNY NP), Move to Amend of Ulster County, Peace and
Social Progress Now, Mid-Hudson ANSWER, Haitian People’s Support Project.
——————————————————————————————————————
Attention Men: You are encouraged to attend the rally as an act of solidarity
with our demands and struggle! To volunteer for various tasks or submit an organization’s
endorsement, contact Donna Goodman atdonna0726@earthlink.net. 

To receive the Activist Newsletter
email jacdon@earthlink.net.

Happy Valentine's Day to One and All!