September 2015

Beginning on the 14th of September, Catholic Climate Movement has been fasting on water only in McPherson Square to raise awareness of climate change. This fast will run until the Pope's visit to DC. Pope Francis has himself issued statements condemning human-caused climate change. Fasters at McPherson Square and at FERC both are fasting on water-only until the Pope's visit and are coordinating their efforts.

Video interview with one of the fasters in McPherson Square

Video interviews with two participants on the 7th day of an 18 day water-only fast at the offices of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, also known as FERC. The fast is demanding and end to all issuance of permits for fossul fuel extraction by FERC. That includes gas fracking, pipelines, export facilities, all of it. FERC has responded with a gag order forbidding their staffers from talking to the activists out front.

Video-two interviews with fasters outside FERC

On the 9th of September, the DC Bike Party took to the streets. Hundreds of riders filled streets with dense and festive traffic from Dupont Circle to and over Memorial Bridge, then back into DC. There were a couple tense moments as the ride neared it's end on H st NE involving cops and a minor crash on the streetcar tracks but no injuries or determined police aggression.

Video highlights of 1st half DC Bike Party to 1960's music from the sound bike

The University of Washington has employed the multinational construction firm Skanska to build an underground vivisection laboratory for them. Underground it will be out of sight and armored against attack. The global No New Animal Lab campaign is mounting a pressure campaign to force Skanska to drop their contract and halt contruction of this torture chamber. On September 9, they showed up in front of Skanska's offices in Rosslyn, Virginia with signs and bullhorns for a noisy and graphic protest.

Video highlights of the Skanska office demo

On the 8th of September, anti-fracking activists arrived in front of the offices of FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) for a two week fast and sidewalk occupation that will last until the Pope's visit to Washington DC on September 24. Activists from Beyond Extreme Emergy are demanding that not one more permit be approved for a fracking well, a gas export facility, a pipeline, or any other fracking related project. This is the 4th time FERC has found itself facing daily protests over fracking and gas export. Yes, we have "a situation" at FERC!