Environment/Food/Health

Standing Rock update: Chemical weapons and rubber bullets at Backwater Bridge again

On the 18th of January, as all eyes turned towards the Inauguration and related protests, police again fired chemical weapons and "less lethal" projectiles at water protectors at Backwater Bridge. This bridge has been barricaded for months and police have more than one used a great deal of violence there. One water protector said Standing Rock "looks like a war zone right now."

Update Jan 19: Linda Black Elk reports one water protector run down by police snowmobile, "unresponsive on scene. Transported to ER pray for her."

Photo by Rionchama

Rex Tillerson confirmation hearing draws T-Rex themed protest and repeated disruption

On the 11th of January, former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson began his confirmation hearings as Trump's Secretary of State before Congress. Protesters dressed as T-Rex dinosaurs backed by a crowd from 350.org marched to the hearing site from Capitol Hill Exxon. Inside the Dirksen Building, other protesters repeatedly disrupted the proceedings.

Video of the T-Rex themed march from Capitol Hill Exxon to the Dirksen Builidng

Marching from Capitol Hill Exxon to the site of former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson's confirmation hearing as Trump's Secretary of State

Standing Rock update: police fire at water protectors with "less lethal" rounds-again

On the 27th of December, about 50 unarmed water protectors approached the barricaded bridge on Highway 1806, possibly checking reports that the police were taking down the razor wire and other barricades. The barricades were still there-and police opened fire with "less lethal" munitions, also pursuing the water protectors. They were then reported to be pursuing the water protectors but apparently couild not catch them in the snow or were to drive them off rather than capture them.

WWI-style barricades are still up, contrary to earlier report police were removing them. Ruth Hopkins photo

Video: 2016 in activism-chaos, catastrophe, and resistance

Video highlights of the past year in progressive activism. Resistance to Donald Trump, to the Dakota Access Pipeline, and to police murder are the three main themes of the past year. Now we must prepare for the battle to come on the 20th of January, and the war against racism and white supremacy that will follow.

Video-2016 in review

Environmental groups call Trump's climate denying Cabinet picks "arsonists running the fire department"

On the 20th of December, 350.org and several other environmental groups gathered in front of the GSA office at 1800 F st. Trump's transition team is being permitted to use that Federal building. The pro-Earth groups were there to denounce such Trump appointments of people like climate denier Scott Pruitt as as head of the EPA and Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State.

Video from the protest at Trump's transition team office incuding the arsonist/fire department remark about Pruitt

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