Protesters begin the short march to the Federal Building from Civic Center Plaza.
On a hot afternoon last Sunday, March 15th, 250 San Diegans rallied and marched – and called on the US government to act on the climate change crisis.
About 150 demonstrators had gathered by 2 pm at the San Diego Civic Center Plaza, as the band the Swamp Critters encouraged them through song to come out and protest. Organized by a loose coalition that involved OB’s People’s Food Store Cooperative and the OB Green Store, as well as the Sierra Club, 350.org, and a couple of Democratic clubs – from Pt Loma and La Jolla, the protest was part of a series the coalition plans leading up to next November.
Lots of OBceans were present in the crowd. Folks from the Green Store and People’s Food, with remnants of OBGO also there.
After a few speakers, the group pushed out of the Plaza, down 3rd Avenue and Broadway, taking the short walk in the streets to the Federal Building. A few police cars escorted the peaceful march the few blocks that then gathered for a second rally.
Marchers head down 3rd Avenue for Broadway.
Once in the shade of the massive Federal Building, another band welcomed the crowd. A dozen people got up and danced to the music of Captain Viejo before a few more speakers thanked and exhorted those present to continue the struggle.
Dancers gyrate to the music of Capt Viejo.
Richard Berrera, head of the San Diego Labor Council, expresses solidarity with the climate change mobilizers.
Dave Engle of 350.org spoke as did Richard Berrera – head of the San Diego Labor Council – both offering solidarity with the protesters.
The demands of the protest centered on calling on the US Federal government to enact a World War II type of crisis response to deal with the worsening climate changes.
Near the end of the event, Nancy Cassidy – CEO of People’s Food – and her co-organizer and husband, Derek, with a short announcement at the mike, marched over to the front of the Federal Building and taped the demands of the coalition to the glass door of the red-bricked edifice.
Derek and Nancy Cassidy tape the list of demands to the door of the Federal Building.
Protest organizers plan on future mobilizations, the next on June 14th, one in September and the fourth in November. The crowd was asked to attend the next one but for each person to bring one more.
The Demands of the Climate Mobilization Coalition.
Except for the OB Rag/SDFP reporters and someone from the Times of San Diego, there were no visible press at this event – and certainly no television cameras appeared. This has got to change.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
What do you call 34 YEARS of FAILED attempts at achieving enough climate action to SAVE THE PLANET EARTH?
Victory!
Now bring on the war crime trials!
To reduce greenhouse gases 100% by 2025 we would have to all hold our breath.
What an outstanding march! San Diego leads the way!
To take the Pledge to Mobilize go to TheClimateMobilization.org
The Pledge has the same demands that the Marchers posted on the Federal building, but includes the commitments to support political candidates and elected leaders who have also endorsed these demands, and to spread the truth of climate change, and the Pledge itself, to others.
You guys are an inspiration! Images of this landmark protest are being shared around the world. Paul Gilding, the author of The Great Disruption and the former head of Greenpeace, tweeted out an image of the protest to his many followers. Gilding is one of the leading advocates of a WWII-scale climate mobilization. See his website and twitter feed here: http://paulgilding.com/