Speaking out for the future

As people gathered in New York City to participate in the largest climate march in history, the Forest City 350 group chose to demonstrate in Rockford in order to bring awareness to the UN Emergency Climate meeting in our hometown.

While we didn't get the media coverage we had hoped for, we did have an amazing line-up of interesting and empassioned speakers. Despite many other events happening locally, we had a good audience.

Special thanks to:

Emcee Jim Roberts
Ron Holm for great music
Christopher Sims for his poem that gets better and better
Stanley Campbell for his kickoff
Jessie & Randy Mermel for their work with the youth, the banners and the closing
Diane Lawe for the altar and representing the elders
Bob & Mary Sargent of the NAACP for their words & great collaboration
Harlan Johnson for his CEO skit even though he lost his voice - and for getting a great line-up for his skit!
Senator Steve Stadelman for his inspiring speech
Lou Johnson for hand-outs
Kids Ban the Bag for presenting their work
Luna Picot for her sharing of beautiful earth poems
Milca, Ketura, and Debora St. Fleurose of Roots & Wings for their powerful speech about local foods and climate change
Earle Rowe for filming the event
Rick Kurtz, Jamie Johannsen, and Jessie Crow Mermel for photographing the event.