On Saturday, October 12th, 2024, members of the climate community showed up at the Grand Rapids Climate March at Calder Plaza. The sunny October day was matched with marchers' bright energy!
To recap, here’s how it all went down:
Calder Plaza was lined with organization tables and tents with excellent information - thanks to everyone who tabled! Including several of our member organizations.
Kicking off the rally, coalition co-chair Janet Zahn spoke about the importance of local power, as it applies to local elections and to local climate goals (we were joined by several elected officials and candidates)
Ned Andree of the Community Collaboration on Climate Change (C4) spoke about climate justice and engagement of the BIPOC community as climate justice activists
Sergio Cira-Reyes of the Urban Core Collective spoke about energy justice, the utilities and the MIchigan Public Service Commission (MPSC)
Denise Keele (Michigan Climate Action Network) brought it all together by connecting the dots between local, state and national as well as outlining compelling climate change events/statistics
Then, we marched! Led by chant leaders, the group wound through downtown, past Rosa Parks and DeVos Place before returning to Calder Plaza
This is what democracy looks like:
(Photo Credit: Kristen Norman)
Here is a one-pager with recognitions and some of the most important actions you can take in this movement right now, including a) signing a petition to city leaders and b) consulting our Climate Voter Resources ahead of the November 5th elections!
See our Instagram account for more photos from the march, both professional (thank you Kristen Norman Photography and Function Presents!) and amateur.
Thanks to everyone involved in making this event possible.
Thank you again to our Grand Rapids Climate March sponsors: Elders Helpers, Kennari Consulting, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Urban Core Collective, Meanwhile Bar, and Fountain Street Church. And to our collaborators: Community Collaboration on Climate Change (C4), Urban Core Collective (UCC), and Michigan Climate Action Network (MiCAN).
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