Sierra Club
Among the People's Climate Movement events held around the country this month was a petition-signing event at a Communications Workers of America (CWA) union hall in Minneapolis, chosen to symbolize the potential for economic justice in the EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan (CPP). Fortuituosly, a group of local peace protestors was demonstrating nearby, so the Sierra Club and People's Climate Movement activists coordinated efforts with the protestors to act in solidarity in support of the Clean Power Plan.
This #PeoplesClimate event brought together Minnesota groups working towards a just Clean Power Plan for the state. Activists from local faith communities, student groups, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the Barista Guild of America (BGA) all spoke to the economic and racial justice implications of the CPP.
Membership from local community groups and organizations shared relevant climate and social justice stories with the over 70 attendees. Below, third from left, U.S. Representative Keith Ellison -- the first African-American to be elected to Congress from Minnesota -- at the event.
A number of organizations including the Sierra Club tabled at the event. Partnering with the Club were the BGA, SEIU, Eureka Recycling, Community Power, Minnesota Public Interest Research Group, MN 350, and the Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition.
Minnesota's Just Community Solar Coalition discussed installation of community solar gardens in keeping with their Community Solar Values Statement.
Representatives from the BlueGreen Alliance highlighted their work across the Twin Cities in support of a just economic transition and creating jobs in the renewable energy sector.
More than 70 signatures were collected for a just Clean Power Plan petition. Organizers are continuing to collect signatures for the petition, to be sent to Governor Dayton or the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Nicaraguan-born musician Carlos Lumbi, above at right, now a Minnesota resident who creates social-justice-inspired artworks, performed for the activists. Sierra Club organizer Karen Monihan, above at center, spoke to the importance of his work. "The civil rights movement and other social justice movements used music and art to nurture and feed the soul," she said. "Carlos and his partner [above at left] nurtured and fed our souls at this event."
Above, that's Beyond Coal campaign organizer Alexis Boxer with Monahan, who gives a big shout-out to Boxer for tabling for at the event and working towards greater diversity within the climate movement.