April 3, 2007—Local Groups Join Nationwide Call to Action on Global Warming
April 14th rally in downtown Portland one of over 1,000 National Day of Climate Action events
PORTLAND, Ore.—April 3, 2007—On Saturday, April 14th, 2007, a rally will be held in downtown Portland as part of the National Day of Climate Action. 3,000-5,000 people are expected to participate. The rally will call on Oregon’s legislators and citizens to take action on global warming, one of the most challenging issues currently facing Oregonians and the nation. This event is part of over a thousand planned events scheduled to occur nationally on April 14th, and will be a part of the most widespread community action to date addressing this issue.
The Face it. We are the Solution to Global Warming rally will feature speakers representing faith, political, environmental, social justice, and youth leaders, as well as music from local artists. In addition to being able to join thousands of others in a pledge to measure and reduce their global warming footprint, participants at the rally will have the opportunity to record video messages about global warming to be delivered to Oregon policy makers.
The rally will culminate with a group of people walking to Salem to hand deliver messages provided by people at the rally. The group will be staying overnight at various churches and with other community groups along the way with small events to take place each night. The group will arrive in Salem on Tuesday, April 17th, at the steps of the Oregon Legislature to deliver and read the messages.
The National Day of Climate Action was initiated by “Step It Up 2007,” a grassroots movement organized online through word of mouth, email outreach, and the online community.
WHO: Organizers include: Oregon Environmental Council, Green Empowerment, and UU Community for Earth of the First Unitarian Church.
Sponsoring organizations: Living Earth, Physicians for Social Responsibility -Oregon Chapter, Oregon Interfaith Power and Light – a program of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, and Level Online Strategy.
Speakers scheduled to appear: Portland City Councilman Erik Sten; Martin Tull -National Outreach Coordinator, Northwest Earth Institute; Rev. Katherine Jesch - National Director of Environmental Ministry for UU Ministry for Earth; and Jefferson Smith - The Bus Project.
WHAT: Face it. We are the Solution to Global Warming rally
WHEN: 1:00 – 3:00 P.M., Saturday, April 14th, 2007
WHERE: Terry Schrunk Plaza, SW 3rd and Madison, Portland, OR 97204
About the Face it Coalition
The Face it Coalition is a diverse group of individuals and organizations that have come together to mobilize action against global warming. Members hail from a wide cross-section of the non-profit, private and faith-based communities. Please visit www.faceitoregon.org for more information.
About the Oregon Environmental Council
Founded in 1968, the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with members throughout the state. We bring Oregonians together for a healthy environment. Through programs such as the Bottle Bill, curbside recycling and the creation of local watershed councils, OEC has played a leadership role in helping Oregonians be part of the solution to environmental problems. Our current programs focus on protecting kids’ health from toxic pollution, cleaning up Oregon’s rivers, slowing global warming, and building a sustainable economy. For more information, visit www.oeconline.org.
For More
Information:
Oregon Environmental Council
Jeremy Graybill, Communications Director
503-222-1963
ext. 111
###
