Local activists have organized a rally and march in downtown St. Petersburg scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow morning and centered around Williams Park.
Dubbed Rise Up Ringing for Climate, Jobs & Justice, the demonstration primarily aims to inspire action regarding the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change, including the social and financial ramifications of sea level rise. The rally will include booths by various social justice and environmental organizations, as well as talks by climate scientists and entertainment by “Earthman” Lanny Smith; a march to Beach Drive beings at 10:45, during which participants will ring bells to call attention to the urgency of climate issues a la Paul Revere.
“We are marching and ringing bells to awaken the Tampa Bay area to the impacts of the climate crisis,” said organizer Michael Whalen in a release, “and to demand leaders commit to real solutions to the climate crisis, including a new 100% clean energy economy; investments in programs that will cut carbon emissions and create millions of new family sustaining jobs; and a guarantee that all communities impacted by climate change and the transition to a new energy economy are treated with justice and equity. The ringing of bells is a traditional symbol of a soulful call to awaken with unity and hope to this important moment.”
The rally will conclude with a bell meditation and call to action at 1:30 p.m.
This article appears in Sep 6-13, 2018.
