NIRS–and some 800 other organizations–are going all out this weekend to build support for the September 21, 2014 People’s Climate March in New York City. It’s a coordinated effort, so don’t be surprised if you see multiple March appeals in your inbox, on your Facebook page, in your Twitter feed, and maybe even flyers at your local coffee shop.
This holds promise of being a historic, transformative occasion: one of those rare events that can literally upend the political landscape, much like the 1963 March on Washington did for civil rights; the November 1969 March on Washington did against the Vietnam War; and the 1982 New York City march for a nuclear freeze that a few years later led to the first serious nuclear arms reductions ever.
But it will only be that kind of game-changing, rule-changing event if we all participate; if we all make a commitment to be there if at all possible, and to support the event if we can’t.
From NIRS’ perspective, we fully expect this to be the largest Climate March in history. We also believe it can be the largest anti-nuclear power outpouring in decades–but that depends on you.
Below is a letter we sent to our members today. If you’re not a NIRS member, or maybe just missed it in your inbox, we hope you’ll take a moment to read it now–and think about how you can help organize and mobilize for this event. And then do it.
The People’s Climate March is one month away, but you can start it now!
Join the growing Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free Contingent!
And help spread the word in the all-out mobilizing campaign August 21-23.
August 21, 2014
Dear Friends,
The historic People’s Climate March is just one month away–September 21, 2014. And NIRS and all the other groups supporting this massive event have launched an all-out mobilizing campaign starting now.
This weekend, we ask every organization–and every individual–supporting the Nuclear Free-Carbon-Free Contingent to help get the word out about this event. Send an e-mail–or just forward this one–to everyone on your lists. Put up a notice on your websites and blogs; post on Facebook/Twitter or any other social media sites you use. Send a letter to the editor of your local paper about why you’re going to the march, or just to raise awareness of it (we’ve made this easy for you, see details below).
The March Starts Now
We’re not waiting until September 21–we’re kicking off the march now! We’re creating a photo gallery of marchers to visually tell everyone why we’re marching. And if you absolutely can’t come to New York City on September 21, this is a perfect way for you to stand and be counted.
It’s easy. Just download and print one of the signs we have posted on our new The March Starts Now page (or make a sign of your own), and then take a selfie of you holding the sign, or get a partner or friend to take the photo and then take one of him/her too. Group shots encouraged too. Then send the photos to nirs@nirs.org and we’ll post them in the photo gallery. Get started here.
Sign Up for the March
If you’re coming to the march, but haven’t yet signed up on the People’s Climate March website, please do so now using this special url, which indicates your sign-up is coming through the Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free Contingent: http://peoplesclimate.org/march?r=nukefree. The reason to sign up is so march organizers can have a better sense of how many people to expect–this is important for logistical and planning purposes.
We encourage you to sign up for the Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free Contingent as well, for the same reasons. Plus, it will help us keep those of you we know are coming better informed about the Contingent’s plans, especially any last-minute changes. You can sign up for the Contingent here.
National Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free Activist Meeting
Besides the march on Sunday, September 21, NIRS is sponsoring a national meeting of activists all afternoon on Saturday, September 20. We’re still working on exact time and location, but it will be in an accessible location in New York City. The purpose of the meeting will be to strengthen grassroots networks to be able to better organize and prepare for the many upcoming regional and state battles we all will be facing when the EPA’s Clean Power Plan rule goes into effect next year. These battles will be critical for the future of nuclear power–we can close dirty, dangerous and uneconomic nuclear reactors and end talk of a nuclear “renaissance” for good, or face potentially decades of stagnation of renewable energy and energy efficiency in favor of dirty energy. The stakes are that high–but these are battles we can win. Please join us at this important meeting. We will keep you informed about time and location.
Some March updates
The march route has been set, you can see the route map on to the right. The march will kick off at 11:30 am on September 21; contingents will be assembling north of Columbus Circle. We will inform you of the assembly point and time for the Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free Contingent as soon as it is confirmed.
There are numerous useful resources on the Contingent website, including flyers for downloading; organizing and mobilizing guides; information on transportation to NYC; background reading and much more.
The site is updated daily and will be through September 21.
125 organizations from across the world have now endorsed the Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free Contingent, and new endorsements arrive daily. If your organization has not yet endorsed the Contingent, please send your name, organization name, city, state and country (if outside the U.S.) to us at nirs@nirs.org.
More than 1400 individuals have also signed a statement in support of the Contingent. You can add your name here.
Letters to the Editor
We have provided a sample letter for you to send to your local news outlets. You’ll be able to choose which paper(s) it will be sent to. Then, edit the letter to reflect your own views and concerns (especially local ones), and your letter will automatically be sent to your local media. Research continues to show that letters to the editor remain among the highest-read portions of newspapers (including online ones). It’s a great way to spread the word and we’ve made it as easy as possible for you. Get started here, it will only take you a few moments.
Facebook/Twitter and other social media posts
Here are a few sample posts you can use on your social media pages to help spread the word:
In one month, September 21, the largest climate march in history. Join us. http://peoplesclimate.org/march?r=nukefree #peoplesclimate
#ActonClimate: Build a Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free energy system. We start September 21. http://peoplesclimate.org/march?r=nukefree #peoplesclimate
Join me at the largest climate march in history. I’ll be with the Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free Contingent in NYC on September 21. Full information here: http://www.nirs.org/climatemarch/climatemarchhome.htm
Friends, help spread the word about the Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free Contingent to the People’s Climate March in NYC on September 21. http://www.nirs.org/climatemarch/climatemarchhome.htm
Don’t forget to Comment to EPA!
Finally, if you have not yet sent in your comments on the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, please so do now here. Many people have not yet done so, and in this case, every single comment matters. The nuclear industry is mounting a major lobbying effort to increase support for nuclear power in the plan–our united and large call to remove all nuclear support for the plan is the only thing that will stop them.
The Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free Contingent to the People’s Climate March is one of the most exciting and meaningful events I’ve been part of in my nearly 30 years at NIRS. It’s just amazing to see the enthusiasm and spirit growing the way it is. This will a momentous weekend. I really do hope you’ll join me, all the NIRS staff, and people from all over the country in New York City on September 21.
Thanks so much for all you do,
Michael Mariotte
President
Nuclear Information and Resource Service
www.nirs.org
nirs@nirs.org
Michael Mariotte
August 21, 2014
Permalink: https://www.nirs.org/2014/08/21/were-going-all-out-for-the-climate-march/
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