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Bill McKibben, Citizen of Eaarth, was released from jail in DC today and greeted by our own Jane Hamsher and Lt Dan Choi. Bill had this statement upon his release:
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Okay! So we just came out of jail, and I’m a little tired and a lot hungry. But more than that, I’m as happy as can be. To find out, as we came out the door, that people have not only been carrying on this protest in the kind of — in the face of intimidation by the Park Service, but that numbers are growing and growing and growing. People are flooding into Washington from all fifty states. That was the best news we possibly could have heard.
Then to pick up the New York Times and see that the message has gotten through on a national level: their editorial page today saying “Mr President, stop this pipeline!” This is what starts to happen when people show what the stakes are. And, we’re a long ways from winning, but we’re a little closer than we were when we went into jail! And that feels real good.
Q: Bill, is this what love looks like?
A: I guess it must be [smiles]!
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66 Comments
I wish I could be in DC to stand with these noble protesters. Thanks for this, Teddy.
what a smile!
You are welcome!
How to help if you can’t go to DC: http://www.tarsandsaction.org/
Yeah, after being “made an example,” our crew of Bill, Dan, and Jane look pretty happy. I think the worldwide response to these arrests won’t go well for Obama. He needs to say NO to this awful pipeline.
Excellent!
Thank you Bill McKibben, Teddy and all
the noble protesters.
This is what democracy looks like!
Scarecrow came out right before Bill. I think he was eating a sandwich.
Bill sent a very nice email to Dan and I saying “great to get arrested with you.” Dan, Scarecrow and I just got back from dinner. I expected they’d be exhausted and depressed. They’re ebullient and giddy. Everyone is. It feels good to do the right thing.
Thanks to everyone for being here for us. Being connected to a great group of people who are there to back you up is so very important, I can’t begin to describe.
I’m not able to be there, Jane, or I would be, but I am sooooo grateful to you for representing so nobly. Much love, my sister.
Maybe you’re seeing what love looks like….We are so proud of you all.
“I guess it must be”
We need numbers of how many people not famous people are coming in from the 50 states and how many are of normal means we need a popular face on this Green Activist is good famous people not so good unless they get arrested and refuse bail then its good.
That’s courage. That’s commitment. That’s having principles and standing up for them. We’re goddamn lucky we have people like him on our side.
Names of the oil companies behind the pipeline would be nice think consumer boycott.
Bless his heart! He looks tired, but it is good to know that he will have good friends around him.
Also, we have been waiting on news about Scarecrow…glad he also got something to eat.
What an inspiration and an example, you guys, thank you and thank you also, Teddy!
(clapping)
#proudfirebagger
X2
When activists go to jail they should all have a few soft cover books to leave behind in the jail if the other prisoners are interested so they can read them. Yes most Americans don’t read but you have nothing but time in jail and a crappy cable tv where channel choices are decided on a vote.
Hard cover books might be banned as weapons so bring soft cover books. Every gang has grown once the cops start putting them all at once in jail. Somehow I don’t think this will be the last time FDLers get behind bars.
I’m just not as impressed with pontification as I am with putting it on the line.
I’m not pointificating, if that’s what it seems.
Just reacting to this post and the comments.
Link your diary about jail to a comment Crane its on topic:)
Thank you, Bill, and everyone who went and is going to jail to stop the Tar Sands pipeline!
sure seems as if momentum against the pipeline is building – was genius to schedule the protest for two weeks, and so stoopid for the powers-that-be to start it off with unreasonable detentions. Even if that does reduce the actual number of participants, it only gins up the attention to it. Many more are now sidling up to the bandwagon as it moseys along.
Thanks to all for your hard work and putting your butts (and your freedom) on the line. Made the NYT. Great News! Keep On Truckin’.
OK. I have to admit to a bit of “Issue Fatigue” lately (probably exacerbated by my health struggles and work stress of late). Nonetheless, I have to admire the ovaries and stones on display on this one.
On the topic: I’ve been REALLY irritated lately with these ad nauseum TV spots extolling fracking and tar sands etc (e.g., I wanna SMACK those oh-so-soothing ExxonMobile dudes).
Tar sands oil extraction is completely fucking absurd.
But, hey, 30 years out, that Point Barrow Pinot might be pretty tasty…
/s
Then to pick up the New York Times and see that the message has gotten through on a national level: their editorial page today saying “Mr President, stop this pipeline!”
When was the last time the NYT took a Green or Left position on anything as the news was actually happening and not months later when it did not matter anymore?
Any of the older readers here have that information? Tipping Points are falling like snowflakes in a blizzard now after decades of Green Christmases.
And, as I posted on another thread, I still remember the joy of Hands Across America, and I’d love to see a group of like-minds surround the DC swampmeisters and pen them in. Someone suggested “Beltway Brigade”. I’m for regular DC citizens coming out to join everyone to hold hands for America against the swamp rats. :)~
My hat’s off to Bill, Jane, John, Lt. Dan, etal…! *g*
Yay! For the action and the NY Times editorial and for the guys getting out of jail.
I for one applaud the work that FDL and other environmental groups are doing to stop the pipeline, however as I look at the images of the protesters, I can’t help notice the homogeneity of the participants. This I believe has become a short coming of the environmental movement. In short environmentalism should not be the sole domain of white progressives.
The XL pipeline initial protest where from Native Americans.
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/08/ncai-condemns-keystone-xl-pipeline/
Perhaps better coordination between FDL and Indian Country today readers would have created an even higher turnout for the protest. Or perhaps coordination with National Commission on Environmental Justice would have been able to provide some support.
The point is that the environmental/peace movement needs to recognize that it has a messaging problem. The message itself very good, but to convey the importance of that message across gender and ethnic lines will be instrumental in creating a much larger and wider based movement. At some point the movement will need to be able to talk to the minority kid growing up in a downtown ghetto and explain to him why environmental conscientiousness and attitudes of peace is the most important thing for himself and the whole world. If the wars ended and moved away from capitalism and adopted a system that works within our environmental support system/consrtraints, we could then use our resources for making life better for all humans on the planet not just a select few. Eventually this message will have to be spread on a global basis and understood by all cultures.
Yeah, that E/M fracking propaganda is really swelling the coffers of Kabletown. I wonder if that’s why we haven’t seen any coverage of the TarSands 65/52/How many today?
True if Obama did not decide to jail the Protesters this story would be a minor deal even at the Lake.
The WH has not jailed anyone until Obama got in since President Wilson and as big as the Lake is I doubt we have any readers who remember his administration.
Ironcomments Yes and a link with Gulf Oil spill activists who have even more direct reason to be wary of oil damaging the environment would also be good.
Sorry my comment was for cranestation
Your concern is noted.
Here is a list of things peaceful protesters should expect if they are arrested and taken to jail. Crane-Station wrote the diary based on her experiences. Please read the comments to her diary, as they add important information.
http://my.firedoglake.com/cranestation/2011/08/21/things-to-expect-in-jail-some-notes-for-peaceful-protesters/
Exactly
Someone at the Lake Praised the Times and I agree with the comment? I never thought I’d see that day again. In a crisis situation where everything is getting flushed down the drain all points converge.
I think the situation is getting critical we are near a Tipping Point.
I’ll alert the media.
Thank you Bill Mckibben,Jane & Scarecrow…
When is the next protest….Someone ought to give those of us who aren’t sophisticated an idea how we can go about organizing protest of Senators & congress critters office.
Smiling at you, demi! How’s work? I like the good works that you do. We all try to do what we can, dontcha think? But I really like what you do, and that your son shares some of that goodness.
Two more weeks for him and then he starts HS as a senior. I’m proud of him too. We do what we can, and try not to be too pedantic or condescending. Which tends to happen from time to time in the threads. But, hey, I’m not perfect and don’t really expect anyone else to be either. Course, it would be nice. Ha!
*heh* I’m willing to set up a ‘hooch’ on the National Lawn…! I have camped out a couple times on the Capitol lawn in Honolulu, before…! I’d only need a little local logistical support…! ;-)
Obama completely misread last November’s shellacking. At least he’s pretending he did.
Jane Hamsher unite as many groups as you can to get on the street. Norske is right change will not occur until they are worried. This is so good to see you exercise our rights and make them take them away. I hope Glenn at Salon and many other blogs will talk about this activism. Squelching the right to peaceful assebly was what Obama complained about in Syria and other ME countries. What a two face ObamaCo is.
Check out this video of Winona LaDuke (HuffingtonPost.Com, May 12, 2011) which discusses the situation of indigenous people related to the US and the rates of those incarcerated, in service to the military, homeless, in poverty and ill/PTSD. Listen to her audio presentation, “Radio Interview with Winona: What’s the history between the US military and American Indians?” (July 21, 2011) which give even more detail and definitely read her book, The Militarization of Indian Country. As for Canada, you can read this primer on the situation of the aboriginal people which parallels that of those related to the US. Then, go through The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (one has not been held with respect to the US). It’s very recommended to visit and stay on reservations if you can properly arrange it to see the lack of infrastructure, how folks actually live there and the resource extraction operations going on there. Here’s a ‘Preview of “The poorest place in America” (Warning Graphic)’ (Pine Ridge, South Dakota). Be sure to avoid the radioactive and chemically poisoned areas when deciding where to study.
Jane, was it Dan Choi who asked Bill the question at the end? I was pretty sure it was his voice, but didn’t see whether he was still there.
THANK YOU
Conoco Phillips is a 50% developer/owner with TransCanada Corp. They claim to have upwards of 380,000 bpd (barrels per day) of “shippers” already “committed.” That commitment is being portrayed as essential to the project’s economic viability. Project financing is to come from the two project partners and from “banks and capital markets.”
Every day until September 3rd.
Contact http://www.tarsandsaction.org/ for info on how to get trained, how to help from afar, how to contact your ‘Critter, and how to donate.
Why doesn’t McKibben get more respect in media circles? Is it that he lacks irony and is 100 percent earnest? He’s the most lucid and passionate environmental preacher I’ve ever heard and he puts his money where his mouth is, unlike most preachers. This interview is so moving I have have half a mind to get arrested myself–but you see like most people I’m a coward.
Do what you it is in your means to do. :-)
1) FDL didn’t organize the protests, scarecrow dan and I just supported it as individuals. We had nothing nothing to do the planning. You will notice FDL is not listed on any of the websites.
2) there were indigenous people there but they didn’t get arrested. Many Canadians did not want to risk being banned from the US because of the arrest here, so they are protesting in Canada instead and helping with training and support here.
Obama = Plastic Man
Thanks for sharing the news Teddy, recommended and tweeted. I’ve already posted stories twice on my site in the last 12 hours and written to the white house. We all need to do all we can to keep the pressure on Obama. This is one decision he can’t weasel out of. Only he is the decider on this one. We want to make sure that as many eyes as possible are on him for this decision.
Thanks again Teddy
Jane and Firedogs – from everything I’ve read, First Peoples (Canada and US) are ‘scheduled’ to be the last protesters to stand on the wall –
anyone know who is scheduled the day of the MLK Dedication ? what with the POTUS being there and all it should get a lot of media ink that particular day
Thank You Teddy Partridge !
But not a peep about it on any news program, especially in my neck of the woods – not on FOX either, or CNN or MSNBC. If only everybody in America read this blog. But you guys keep convincing yourselves that the administration cares. Sorry, but he’s playin golf and fine dining with friends.
We need oil. Somebody has to step up to the plate and recognize that. Oil companies do recognize that.
To cal222 et ilk:
Step off the plate. Step down from the podium. This is the people’s podium. Let the oil barons get a taste of the prison podium, see how that suit fits. We are not going to let this pipe line go through, tar sands vs. park sands. We oppose this desecration. If the Canadian people can prevent it in their neck of the woods, and they did, how much more must we also join the chorus -
ENOUGH! ENOUGH! ENOUGH!
x2.
and
http://thereifixedit.failblog.org/2011/08/17/white-trash-repairs-he-didnt-pay-the-troll-toll/
??
oops, that was me, sorry juliania.
What will we do when the finite oil supply runs out? Somebody has to step up to the plate and recognize that. Oh! They already have! Yes, there are some good folks who actually care enough to plan ahead. Did you miss the point here?
Unfortunately if we don’t do something different and choose clean energy that makes sense pretty soon, it will not matter any more, because we will have destroyed the planet already.
You are most welcome.
Have you called the media monsters to ask why they haven’t covered the White House protests and arrests?
“ConocoPhillips Takes Half Ownership In Pipeline” (Associated Press piece published at Keloland.Com, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Jan. 22, 2008)
Michael Moore linked to story on HBO documentary Mann v. Ford about the devastation of the Ramapough Mountain Indians of New Jersey by Ford Motor Co.’s toxic pollution, and then compounded by EPA protection of Ford. Absolutely appalling and shameful and miserable.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/mann-v-ford
http://thebloodycrossroads.com/mann-v-ford/221136/
I would totally love to see more Native Americans speaking out across the board, and tarsands would seem a perfect place for it.
What happens when the oil runs out? Do we just pump & use oil mindlessly until the drop is sucked out of the planet?
And then what? Flap & twirl?
What are your solutions?
Belive me, Oil Companies – and more especially – the insanely wealthy CROOKS who run them recognize only ONE thing: MONEY. More of it for THEM, and less of it for YOU.
support them if you wish; they don’t give a sh*t about you.
Thanks to all who organized this protest, and to all who are able to participate. Thanks esp to Bill McKibben, another great American hero, who puts himself on the line. I wish that the media did pay attention to him, but I won’t hold my breath bc McKibben tells the TRUTH and sticks with FACTS.
Thanks also to our fabulous Firebaggers, esp Jane & Scarecrow, for putting their money where their mouth is, so to speak.
Keep up the good work!!! Thanks for the update, Teddy. Good reporting. Best to Lt. Dan Choi.