ELIZABETH MAY JOINS FAST, ENDORSEMENTS ROLL IN FOR HUNGRY FOR CLIMATE LEADERSHIP
As fasters enter their fifth day endorsements roll in from a wide range of supporters including Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org writes: "Climate change is preeminently a moral issue, and this fast is a noble response to that challenge; let us hope that it will move the Canadian government, since they are in a key position in this fight."
Author and filmmaker Bonnie Sher Klein has endorsed the fast as has Ronald Wright the author of ‘A Short History of Progress’. Michael Byers has added his support and Judy Rebick urges her contacts to pledge on-line support. Mardi Tindal, the former moderator of the United Church of Canada has pledged on-line with this message:
“This action demonstrates personal responsibility – and calls on our political leaders to help us take responsibility as Canadians together - to meet the defining moral challenge of our generation.”
Singer-songwiter Raffi has offered the use of his song ‘Cool It’. “
The endorsing organizations include a wide range and include Lead Now, Ottawa Raging Grannies, and Physicians for Global Survival. The Sierra Club, Council of Canadians, and Canadian Voice of Women for Peace are endorsers.
NDP MPs Megan Leslie and Linda Duncan stopped by on day four to lend their support to the fasters.
Fasters are holding their banner reading ‘Hungry for Climate Leadership’ and ‘Hungry for Climate Justice’ on the walkway on Parliament Hill from 9 – 6 daily until October 2nd, the International Day of Nonviolence.
John Bennett of the Sierra Club will visit the Fasters at 11:30 today and at 12:15 MP Elizabeth May, Green Party leader, will visit. May is joining the fast this week.
“Right now Canadian economic policy is based on growing the fossil fuel infrastructure and exports as fast as possible. But burning fossil fuels is rapidly making our planet uninhabitable, with some scientists saying that fewer than one billion people will be able to live on the planet by 2100” said faster and retired teacher Rita Bijons.
“ No one would intentionally do this to our children. We need to face the fact that’s what we are doing. We are creating the conditions for mass suffering which is morally reprehensible. We need economic policy that is based in a healthy alternative: growing the renewable energy sector as fast as possible. All new public investments in energy must go into conservation and renewables which are proven job-creators” said Lyn Adamson, Co-Chair of Canadian Voice of Women for Peace.
“My country will be one-third under water if we do not act” Bangladeshi-Canadian, and 67 year old retiree Dewan Afzal.
“One of the immediate effects is the drought we have had this summer that is resulting in high food prices and will bring about increasing hunger in our world. We want to express our concern in a way that can bring pressure for political action. This has led us to the steps of the seat of our government” Sylvia, One of the activist members.
Raffi link to Cool It: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqGp_Bd0tsE