April Action Night – Earth Day is a Protest!

The following is a post by Alex Silva, Climate Communications & Media Assistant at 350PDX.

Earth Day is a Protest!

April’s Action Night started out just like any other–there was socializing, food, and some talk about that afternoon’s rally at City Hall where hundreds protested a Hearing Officer’s decision to approve Portland General Electric’s plan to clearcut 5 acres of Forest Park to install powerlines.

Speakers included  350PDX’s Forest Climate Director Brenna Bell and Kenneth Kreusher– a criminal defense and civil rights attorney who has been practicing for 20 years. Kenneth’s involvement in direct action and protest are what led him to law school. The Oregon Justice Resource Center fights for immigration rights, civil rights, women, the wrongfully convicted and more.

Earth Day and Civil Disobedience

This month’s Action Night focused on Earth Month as an ongoing protest. Brenna emphasized that Earth Day has always been built on justice. It is not just another holiday to be monetized. Because of Earth Day, we have policies such as the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. The first Earth Day involved 20 million people–10% of the US population at the time. Given the current political climate, we wanted to share how we can keep ourselves safe and informed about current events revolving around climate justice.

With that, Kenneth Kreusher gave some insight and important advice for those of us in protest and advocacy spaces. He stated, “We are at a moment right now where some of the forces that be…are trying to radically change society.” Protesters and advocacy groups are facing a lot of pressure and uncertainty with the law. He stressed that we may be made to feel uncertain about what can be done safely, however that uncertainty is intentional. We must not comply with rules that are not even in place yet. “Uncertainty is the point…so people will be fearful and comply in advance.”

Kreusher also made it clear that the current state of prosecutions has not changed dramatically–yet. However, for those who do not have citizenship status or whose status is rather complicated, and for those who have engaged in Gaza solidarity work, the current state of prosecutions has changed and those advocates must be more careful and take deeper consideration in how they engage in advocacy. With that, Kreusher reiterated the importance of your right to remain silent. If approached by law enforcement, never engage in conversation, simply state, “Sorry, I can’t talk right now” then walk away/shut the door/hang up. If they don’t let you walk away, invoke your right to remain silent and ask to see your lawyer. Do not give consent to a search. Clearly state that you “do not consent to a search”. Outside of the words, “Sorry, I can’t talk right now”, “I have the right to remain silent and call a lawyer” and “I do not consent to a search”, never say anything else. Even the simplest of statements can lead to a case against you.

Direct Action Personality

The night concluded with a survey to determine what our individual direct action personality types are! Once determined, we gathered into groups of the same direct action type and discussed forms of action within that type.

Banksies:

• A Banksy acts behind the scenes to display messages to the community far and wide. Banksies might:
  • create the signs used by protestors
  • write chants for rallies
  • build puppets to make a statement

Community-Builders:

• Community-builders lovingly gather folks, build trust, and care for the community. Community-Builders might:
  • host pot-lucks
  • hold book clubs
  • share food, love, and knowledge

Strategic Escalators:

• Strategic Escalators are at the forefront and jump into action when duty calls. Strategic Escalators might:
  • participate in the human blockades
  • protest on the streets
  • shout chants loud and proud

Overall, we came to understand that resistance requires momentum and intersectionality in each of these categories. The strategic escalators need the help of artists and community-builders. The artists must understand the community in which they are sending a message. And the community-builders need members of every category to strengthen their communities. Brenna reminded us that “as we escalate our resistance, we must escalate our knowledge.” None of us should act alone. We must build our knowledge and resilience together. 

As the night came to a close, we learned that the Portland City Council voted unanimously (12-0) to grant the appeal to stop Portland General Electric’s plan to cut down 5 acres of Forest Park. 

This Earth Day, let us remain motivated to fight for the climate and for our neighbors on the margins.