A crowd estimeated to number about 5000 marched through St. Paul to the capitol yesterday to protest pipelines that travel across Minnesota. Speakers at the capitol included Bill McKibben, Sierra Club President Aaron Mair, and Ojibwe “water walker” Sharon Day.
For more information see the Minneapolis Star Tribue story which includes a short video and lots of photographs.
Thousands of protesters marched through downtown St. Paul to the State Capitol on Saturday, calling for the cancellation of the proposed Sandpiper oil pipeline that would travel near some of the state’s pristine waters.
Though an independent tally was unavailable for the Tar Sands Resistance Rally, organizers estimated that 5,000 anti-pipeline and climate change activists took part in the colorful and peaceful march, marked by dozens of national speakers and live music and dance. Police reported no arrests.
Activists such as 350.org founder Bill McKibben, Sierra Club President Aaron Mair, and Ojibwe “water walker” Sharon Day — some of whom led the long-running battle against the controversial giant Keystone pipeline — say they hope to turn Minnesota’s pipeline into the next national organizing symbol against tar sands and climate change.
“The fossil fuel industry has been winning for 200 years, but their winning streak is over,” McKibben said Saturday, calling Minnesota “ground zero” in the climate fight.
Pipeline protest draws marchers to St. Paul
This diary is short and probably breaks the diary writing rules, but I don't care because I thought the story was worth sharing, as turning out thousands of people to protest in Minnesota is very hard to do and a pretty big deal.
I only attended the event for a short time, as my younger son graduated high school this weekend and there were parties to attend and prepare for, which limits my time for writing and commenting upon a diary again today. Once again I just thought it a story worth sharing and sorry I don't have the time to give it the attention it deserves.
