[Vision2020] McKibben Jailed: Fifty Arrested At White House Protesting Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline

[Ted Moffett]

http://www.tarsandsaction.org/fifty-more-americans-arrested-at-white-house-on-day-2-of-sit-in-over-oil-pipeline/

Fifty More Americans Arrested At White House on Day 2 of Sit-in Over
Oil Pipeline
News — admin @ 1:40 pm

For immediate release
August 21, 2011

Fifty More Americans Arrested At White House on Day 2 of Sit-in Over
Oil Pipeline

WASHINGTON  - Fifty more Americans were arrested this morning at the
White House as fifty of their fellow protestors were held in jail in
an attempt to “deter future participants” (1) from participating in an
ongoing sit-in at the White House to push President Obama to deny the
permit for a massive new tar sands oil pipeline.

Writer and environmentalist Bill McKibben, who is spearheading the
protests, sent a message from jail last night, “The only thing we need
is more company. We don’t need your sympathy, we need more company.”

This morning’s sit-in featured participants from as far away as
Montana and North Dakota to risk arrest defending their air, water and
climate. A group of doctors from Chesapeake Physicians for Social
Responsibility wore their white lab coats as they stood at the White
House fence waiting to be arrested.

The ongoing protests have helped turn fight over the proposed Keystone
XL pipeline into President Obama’s most important environmental
decision before the 2012 election. Many of the participants in the
sit-in this morning wore “Obama 2008” buttons as a statement that they
want back the candidate who promise to take on climate change and help
end our dependence on fossil fuels.

McKibben was amongst those arrested yesterday, along with the
co-founder of NRDC and former White House official Gus Speth, gay
rights activist Lt. Dan Choi, author and activist Mike Tidwell,
Firedoglake founder Jane Hamsher, and many others.

“Saturday’s arrests and overnight jailings are already lighting a
fire,” said Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action
Network, who was also arrested Saturday. “More people are now
inspired, determined, and committed to join. On Monday alone over 20
DC-area doctors, lawyers and students will be going to jail to chant,
sing, and stop the pipeline. They’ll be joining Nebraska ranchers and
others nationwide. Word is spreading.”

Harriet Korim Arnoldi, a folk musician from Cape Cod, was arrested
today and she celebrated her 65th birthday in handcuffs.
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Vision2020 Post: Ted Moffett