(Photos © J. Maus)
On Saturday, about 1,000 Portlanders joined rallies around the globe to raise awareness of climate change. The 350 Climate Action Rally was part of the 350 campaign, which bills itself as a “global grassroots campaign to stop the climate crisis.”
Not surprisingly, many people came to the rally at Pioneer Courthouse Square by bike. About 40-50 of them met beforehand and rode over en masse to show their support for the cause.
Portland resident Simon Walter-Hansen joined a few others in quiet meditation in Waterfront Park, flanked by 350 banners before riding coming to the rally. He said it was a sign of solidarity for the cause and that it made people stop and think about why they were doing it.
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A slew of speakers took the mic to cover the issue from a variety of angles. One of the speakers, a rabbi, spoke of the Biblical Flood of Noah and how Noah warned people about the impending catastrophe for 120 years before it came. “Let’s all be a Noah!” the rabbi exclaimed.
Also at the microphone on Saturday were Metro Councilor Robert Liberty and a representative from Mayor Sam Adams’ office — both were there to read proclamations vowing to fight against the evils of climate change.
Anti-CRC activists made a big impression. Their big, white banners with spray painted slogans like “CRC = Highway to Climate Hell” flew high above the crowd in several locations.
People held banners and cheered at the right times, but throughout the event, the crowd was subdued. For an “action” rally, there sure were a lot of people sitting down in front. I wondered if Portlanders are beyond simply talking about climate change and are instead ready to do something about it. Maybe it’s just me (and I admit I’m growing increasingly cynical these days), but what I hoped would be a historic event was a bit of a disappointment.
Did you attend the rally? What were your impressions?
More images from the rally in the slideshow below: