Dear Friends,
In the fight for a just and peaceful world – and now, in the fight against climate change – I’ve done a lot of uncomfortable things. Running for office, walking thousands of miles, fasting, getting arrested. None of that is in my “fun-time” category.
But what I did this week beat all else in terms of discomfort. Please check out the press release about our climate action at a Donald Trump campaign event this week.
First, an important reminder: The Iowa Utilities Board hearing on the proposed Bakken Oil Pipeline draws near, with a date of November 12 in Boone. For regular updates, visit Bakken Pipeline Resistance and/or No Bakken Here.
Trump supporters get aggressive with climate-change activists
Oct. 9, 2015
WATERLOO, IOWA – On Wednesday, October 7, a group of Iowans – several dressed as Rosie the Riveter – interrupted Donald Trump’s campaign speech at the Electric Park Ballroom with calls to “Mobilize Now!” and take “Climate Action Now!” The seven-member team was there on behalf of The Climate Mobilization, a national campaign calling on the United States to end net greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and restore a safe climate for humanity through a World War II-scale mobilization of the economy.
Trump initially endorsed the suggestion, saying, “That’s right, mobilize now.”
When demonstrators continued their call, chanting “Climate Action Now,” Trump realized he had made a mistake. “Oh, I thought they were on our side!”
Trump supporters became aggressive with the demonstrators, pushing them and grabbing and destroying their signs. Miriam Kashia, a 72-year old woman from Iowa City, was shoved from behind and nearly fell over.
As demonstrators walked toward the exit, some in the crowd became hostile. Others, however, offered heartfelt words of thanks. Kashia reported that, while she was exiting the event, “A woman held out her hands and said, ‘Thank you for doing that.’”
“We’ve been working hard to question the presidential candidates, to get them to talk about climate change,” said Ed Fallon, who organized the demonstration. “Some live in denial. Others get it. But no candidate has yet to prioritize climate for the crisis it is. No one has pledged to mobilize the full force of the U.S. economy to fight it on the scale needed.”
“We’ll continue to question candidates about climate change,” said Fallon. “But with less than four months before the Caucuses, it’s time to up the ante. For me, chanting and holding signs like we did today is uncomfortable. But climate change is causing discomfort and worse across the globe. I’m willing to step out of my comfort zone so the candidates hear – loud and clear – that climate change demands a full-scale home-front mobilization.”
Besides Kashia and Fallon, the other demonstrators were George McCloskey of Des Moines, Peter Clay of Des Moines, Shari Hrdina of Des Moines, Barbara Schlachter of Iowa City, and Kristy Medo of Iowa City.
Video Available Here
CNN: “Trump tells crowd not to get violent when protesters disrupt event”
POLITICO: “Trump heckled by climate change activists”
Contact:
Ed Fallon:
FallonForum@gmail.com
(515) 238-6404
Margaret Klein Salamon:
Margaret@TheClimateMobilization.org
(734) 476-5169
Preview YouTube video Climate Mobilization Activists Disrupt Trump Event 10/7/15