Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) activists are participating in several events this week, for which we are still seeking volunteers: Please join us!

Wednesday, April 20, 11 am – 3 pm:

Bike Fix & Sustainability Showcase

The University of Idaho (UI) Sustainability Center in Moscow, Idaho, is hosting Earth Fest 2016 events this week [1]. At the Spring 2016 Bike Fix and Sustainability Showcase, participants can receive free tune-ups and advice about their bicycles, while they learn about local cycling opportunities and campus and community organizations making a difference.  Meet us at the WIRT table on the UI Commons Plaza outside Einstein’s Coffee, to set-up early at 10:30 am, to distribute information and obtain pledges for the Break Free Northwest mass action in Anacortes in mid-May [2], to answer questions about WIRT campaigns, activities, and opportunities, and to interact with the university community.  WIRT will bring all of the necessary display and information supplies, to assist volunteers in successfully accommodating on-site visitors and closing by 4 pm.  Contact WIRT to pitch in!

[1] Love Your Earth: Earth Fest 2016, University of Idaho Sustainability Center

[2] Break Free: PNW, Break Free Pacific Northwest

Wednesday, April 20, 1:30 pm:

Praxis Interview of Ken Ward on Climate Justice Forum

The Wednesday, April 20, 2016 Climate Justice Forum radio program hosted by Wild Idaho Rising Tide gratefully shares an April 18 on-air interview of Climate Disobedience Center co-founder and Greenpeace USA deputy director Ken Ward, by Praxis radio show host Taylor Weech on KYRS Spokane [2].  Their conversation explores the use of direct action and civil disobedience to address catastrophic climate change, to tackle the growth machine killing our only home, and to remain human among these morally strenuous tasks.  Ken and Taylor discuss his 2013 blockade of a coal barge with a lobster boat and Jay O’Hara, other direct actions, and his April 23 Spokane presentation with Jackie Minchew, of the 2014 Delta 5 oil train blockaders, and Matt Fuller of the 2015 sHellNo! Arctic drilling protests.  Broadcast on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm PDT, live at 90.3 FM and online, the show covers continent-wide climate activism and community opposition to extreme energy projects, thanks to the generous, anonymous listener who adopted program host Helen Yost as her KRFP DJ.

[3] Praxis 173: Ken Ward, Climate Disobedience and Direct Action, Praxis Radio

Friday, April 22:

Washington State University 2016 Earth Day Fair

WIRT volunteers still needed! The Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU) Environmental Sustainability Alliance are providing great opportunities on Earth Day to show the many ways that the people of the Palouse are working to address environmental issues [4].  They cordially invite interested student and community organizations to join them at the 2016 Washington State University (WSU) Earth Day Fair on the Glenn Terrell Mall of the WSU Pullman campus, to promote sustainability and environmental awareness and involvement.  Celebrating Earth Day outdoors on Friday, April 22, the annual event from 10 am to 2:30 pm offers free stickers, t-shirts, water bottles, and other handouts and approximately 30 reserved tables for groups leading special service projects, handing out food, and teaching ways to become more eco-friendly.  Table set-up occurs between 8:30 and 10 am, and break-down from 2:30 to 3:30 pm.  The noon hour until 1 pm features an open mic for participants on the Todd Hall steps.

[4] WSU 2016 Earth Day Fair, ASWSU Environmental Sustainability Alliance

Saturday, April 23:

Earth Day Spokane 2016

Bring your family and friends to honor the beautiful Earth at the public festival hosted by Earth Day Spokane, Dome Vizion, HeadyWorks, and The Lands Council, at Spokane Riverfront Park, 507 North Howard Street in Spokane [5-7]. On Saturday, April 23, between 10 am and 4:30 pm, you can visit and support community groups and businesses at their booths, enjoy some food, listen to live music played by numerous bands, join the Procession of the Species full of animal costumes and masks at 2:30 pm, and partake in other scheduled main events.  Later, check out Earth Night from 4:30 to 9 pm with more music, visuals, dancing, and an evening documentary at 8 pm in the Headyworks Dome.  Earth Day Spokane is coordinated by all grassroots, hard-working volunteers without a big budget.  It strives to raise environmental awareness, celebrate our planet and its natural resources, and promote sustainable, healthy living for people of all walks of life.  A WIRT volunteer is assisting our outreach at this event, but the more the merrier: contact us to help!

[5] Earth Day 2016 official website, Earth Day Spokane

[6] Earth Day 2016 facebook event, Earth Day Spokane

[7] Earth Day Spokane video, Dancing Crow Media

Saturday, April 23:

Stopping Coal & Oil Trains through Civil Disobedience

A great way to celebrate Earth Day, please plan to attend and circulate the linked flyer and news of this free, public event, Stopping Coal and Oil Trains through Civil Disobedience: Stories of Courage on the Front Lines of Climate Change, hosted by Direct Action Spokane at 7 pm on Saturday, April 23, in the Lair Student Center of Spokane Community College, 1810 North Greene Street in Spokane [8, 9].  Featured speakers include Ken Ward, lobster boat blockader of a coal barge and co-founder of the Climate Disobedience Center [10, 11], Jackie Minchew, a Delta 5 oil train blockader [12], and Matt Fuller, a sHellNo! Arctic drilling ship anchor chain occupier [13].  Contact Direct Action Spokane for further information at info@directactionspokane.org or see the website directactionspokane.org.

[8] Stopping Coal and Oil Trains through Civil Disobedience, Direct Action Spokane

[9] Stopping Coal and Oil Trains through Civil Disobedience, WIRT facebook post

[10] Lobster Boat Blockade: The Action, Lobster Boat Blockade

[11] Climate Disobedience Center, Climate Disobedience Center

[12] Stand with the Delta 5, Delta 5

[13] #ShellNo Activists Have Been Attached to a Shell Arctic Vessel’s Anchor Chain in Bellingham Since Last Night, May 23, 2015 The Stranger