Close Suncor Rally
By Kim Osborn Mullen
An inflatable elephant, Mariachi music and an engaged community were all part of the Close Suncor Action at Fairfax Park in Commerce City during the Climate Week of action on September 26.
About 120 people ranging from babies to abuelos, enjoyed festive dancing by Ballet Folklorico Raices de Mi Tierra, delicious food from Mesquite Grill and impassioned speeches by community climate activists. The event was designed to inform the community about the toxic emissions and adverse health effects from the Suncor Refinery in their community, and in turn, gather petition signatures to close the plant. The evening resulted in gathering about 80 more signatures on a petition to close Suncor.
The petition drive was spearheaded earlier this year by 350 Metro Denver member Sunni Benoit. The petition cites not only the ongoing air pollution from Suncor, but the need to transition to cleaner energy sources and support the Green New Deal.
The rally was co-sponsored by 350 Colorado and Friends of the Earth. Speakers included Sunni, Maryah Lauer, Lucy Molina, J. Gabriel Montanez Jr. and 10-year-old Frida Ramos.
Friday Defund Disaster Day of Action
Written by Miranda Glassbergen
350 groups in multiple Colorado locations organized strike week actions around defunding climate disaster. 350 Denver and allies chose the Chase Bank ATM on the 16th Street Mall to educate the shopping public how big banks are literally bankrolling climate chaos. JP Morgan Chase, in particular, is the top funder of fossil fuel projects and countless human rights injustices. Individuals and institutions can all contribute to depriving the fossil fuel industry of an essential funding stream by making smart choices about where we bank and invest. While our individual checking and savings or investments may seem like small potatoes to such a huge industry, it adds up. In September, the national 350.org announced that commitments to divest from fossil fuels now amount to an astonishing 11 trillion dollars, and that the pace of divestment is rapidly accelerating. Taking one’s money out of a dying industry that seems intent on taking the planet with it is both a smart and a moral choice. Ready to take the plunge? Pledge your intent to divest, and get lots of useful resources on 350 Colorado’s Divest-Invest page: https://350colorado.org/promoting-solutions/divest-invest.
