April 2022

Pro-Confederate rally at Stone Mountain (near Atlanta, GA) draws armed counterprotest

On the 30th of April, the so-called "Sons of Confederate Veterans" held a rally at Stone Mountain just outside Atlanta, GA. They had Confederate flags etc, glorifying the age of slavery. Counterprotesters ranging from the NAACP to a security contingent of armed antifascists marched into Stone Mountain Park, where a shouting match ensued. The neo-Confederates were permitted by the Park Service to fire blank cannon salutes.

Video-confronting "Sons of Confederate Veterans" at Stone Mountain 1 min 28 sec

Neo-Confederates firing a cannon salute at Stone Mountain as anti-facist protesters advance on them

Pro-Earth and Indigenous activists hold vigil for Wynn Alan Bruce

On the 29th of April, pro-Earth and Indigenous activists gathered at the Supreme Court for a vigil remembering Wynn Alan Bruce, who set himself on fire a week earlier at SCOTUS to protest climate chaos and air pollution.

Several of the activists continued the vigil through the dark night.

Vigil at the Supreme Court for Wynn Alan Bruce continued through the night

Wynn Alan Bruce sets himself on fire at Supreme Court over climate chaos

Friday, April 22nd was Earth Day. On that day, Wynn Alan Bruce, a devout Buddhist, set himself on fire in front of the Supreme Court to protest climate chaos and air polllution. He died the next day. The Washington Post "reported" this story-but with not a single mention of why Mr Bruce set himself ablaze.

Extinction Rebellion blockades Wilson Building demanding action vs Washington Gas

On the 22nd of April, Extinction Rebellion DC dropped a banner and set off smoke flares to reinforce a blockade of the Wilson Building. They were demanding that the DC Council act to prevent Washington Gas from spending $ 5 billion on new gas distribution infrastructure at a time when the world needs to be transitioning off off of fracked gas.

Video: Deploying a banner and flares at the Wilson Building against Washington Gas's $5 billion project 3min 26 sec

Photo by Extinction Rebellion DC

Commentary-View from the South: US and global politics danger-close to boiling over

In a sudden burst of activity, multiple Southern states have imposed draconian new restrictions on abortion and are going hammer and tongs after transgender kids. Books are burning, families are fleeing, and lives are at risk.

Grant Town Power Plant blockaded in W Va for burning Manchin's coal

On the 9th of April, hundreds of climate and democracy advocates descended on West Virginia's Grant Town Power Plant and blocked the main gate. Over 50 people were arrested, some of them were in lockboxes. After the arrestees where cleared, the gate remained closed, other protesters remained in front of it and the driveway remained blocked. This power plant is the sole customer of Sen Manchin's coal company.

Video: protesters hold their ground even after the lockdown is arrested 1 min 24 sec-w Extra video clips of the arrests of the hard lockdown by (C)hicago (F)ree (M)edia via Twitter

Protesters effectively blockading the Grant Town Power Plant's driveway over an hour after the hard blockade was arrested. They remained there much of the day

DC Bike Party's April "Cherry Blossom Chase" ride takes to the streets

The DC Bike Party's annual April "Cherry Blossom Chase" is often their biggest ride of the year, and this year seemed to be no exception. Due to climate change moving up the cherry blossoms bloom about ten days, once again this ride came after the cherry blossoms were mostly finished.

Video: DC Bike Party's "Cherry Blossom Chase" April ride 1 min 10 sec

DC Bike Party passing the White House

Declare Emergency blockades I-395 for the second time in one week

On the 8th of April, Declare Emergency and Scientist Rebellion returned to the site of a blockade of I-395 earlier in the week for Round II. The blockade site shuts off the route used by most Congressmen with homes in Virginia to go to work. Demands were for action against climate chaos, that the government declare a climate emergency, and that the Enbridge Line 3 and Line 5 projects be stopped forever.

Video-setting up the blockade, its effects, and cops arresting blockaders 4 min 18 sec

At least five arrests as climate protesters lock themselves to White House fence

On the 6th of April, protesters with the "Scientist rebellion locked themselves to the White House fence with chains and U-locks. Police closed all of Lafayette Square in response, in a futile attempt to block photography of their extraction efforts. After about an hour and a half, the cops cut the locks and arrested at least five people.

Video: Cops close Lafeyette Sq, arrest at least 5 in climate CD 3 min 52 sec

Declare Emergency blocks I-395 for zero drilling/mining on Federal and Indigenous land

In morning rush hour on the 4th of April, Declare Emergency blocked I-395 near Maine Ave. This is the route used by many Members of Congress to get to "work." Demands of the protest were zero concessions for drilling or mining on any Federal or Indigenous land.

Video posted to Twitter by Anthony Tilghman 5 sec warning-link is to Twitter

Still cropped from Anthony Tilghman's video of the blockade

MoCo students, indigenous caravan blockade Rt 355 over climate inaction

On the first of April, student activists backed by the MIGIZI indigenous Caravan and several Green groups blockaded MD Rt 355 in front of Montgomery College in Rockville, MD. The students are demanding that Montgomery County Public Schools entirely end their use of fossil fuels.

Video of the roadblock and ensuing arrests 3 min 25 sec