In this issue:
- CALENDAR: XRPDX Meetings
- UPCOMING EVENTS: December 8, 14
- EDITOR'S NOTE: What a Year!
- TAKE ACTION: Stop The Dirty Deal!
- DONATE: We Get by with a Little Help from Our Friends
- YEAR IN REVIEW: Reports from Our Working Groups
- NEW ON THE BLOG: Open Letter to Wyden, 2022 in Review
- COALITION/MOVEMENT BUILDING: Local, National, Global
- New to Extinction Rebellion? Sign Up for an Intro Presentation
Note: Thanks for reading & sharing the final XRPDX newsletter of 2022!
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XRPDX Meetings
December 13, 6 pm: Action & Media meeting - final meeting of 2022
January 3, 6 pm: Action & Media meeting
January 10, 6 pm: Full Chapter meeting
January 12, 7 pm: Coordinating Team meeting
January 17, 6 pm: Forum #3; no XRPDX meeting
January 24, 6 pm: Action & Media meeting
January 26, 7 pm: Coordinating Team meeting
January 31, 6 pm: Action & Media meeting
Every Wednesday, 2:30 pm, Regenerative Culture working group meetings.
Please RSVP with your name and email by an hour prior to whichever meeting you want to attend, to receive zoom info.
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From June 4 action at Zenith's gates in the CEI Hub.
(Photo credit: Janet Weil)
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Upcoming Events
December 8, 6 pm: Rumble on the River Community Forum 3: "Zenith Energy and the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub in Portland,” at Multnomah Friends Meeting Hall, 4312 SE Stark Street. This is the third in a series of community-driven forums to educate and activate around the threats to public health, safety, and our environment stemming from the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub, with a focus on Zenith Energy’s oil-by-rail operations. Panelists include Micah Meskel, Portland Audubon; Susheela Jayapal, Multnomah County Commissioner; Audrey Leonard, Columbia Riverkeeper; Patricia Kullberg, retired public health MD; Cherice Bock, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon; and Isobel Whitcomb, climate activist. Moderated by Dineen O’Rourke, 350 PDX. Free. NOTE on parking: The Multnomah Friends wish to honor the requests from residents on 43rd/44th in the neighborhood north of SE Stark that Meetinghouse attendees NOT park in their area. Parking on the south side streets near Stark is fine, and cars can park up and down both sides of SE Stark. There is no Meetinghouse parking lot. Please also consider carpooling or taking the bus.
December 14, 9 am: Shut Down Zenith action outside and inside City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave to demand City Council revoke the LUCS. Wear red if possible and we'll have signage. If you can come for just a short while, that's OK, but we also need folks willing to stay awhile. For more details, email info@XRPDX.org.
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Climate Justice + Day on the River.
From October 8, 2022 flotilla with Forest Climate coalition folks.
(Photo credit: Mike Fairhurst)
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Editor's Note: What a Year!
By Janet Weil
2022 was a year of "firsts" and "agains" for Extinction Rebellion in Portland. First time to use a structured analysis process to choose our 2 main campaigns - ANCE and Scrub the Hub/Shut Down Zenith. First time to organize two peace rallies, in February and March. First time to support scientists William Livernois and Bernadette Rodgers in their direct action at Portland Business Alliance offices as part of international Scientist Rebellion. First time to have a student intern, Syl Knauss of Lewis and Clark, join our team. First time to challenge Oregon's 2 senators to walk their climate talk and oppose Manchin's dirty side deal. And first time to join our allies in a flotilla on the McKenzie River to advocate for sparing what's left of our mature/old growth forests from destructive "timber harvests."
Again, we took the City Council to task for not creating or implementing policies to live up to their promises in the 2020 Climate Emergency Declaration. Again we assembled on a rainy June day, with art, music, speeches and determination, at the gates of Zenith. Again and again, we watched Zenith's attorneys at Stoel Rives fail to overturn the City's decision to deny the Texas-based corporation its Land Use Compatibility Statement -- only to see the City reverse itself in a backroom deal 2 days before the Oregon Supreme Court would have refused the oil logistics corporation's final appeal! Again, we rallied and did outreach: at City Hall, at the Federal Buildings in downtown and Northeast Portland; in neighborhoods. Again, we stood together with our allies in the environmental justice, youth, faith and climate organizations, including at a Passover-themed protest at Chase Bank and a youth climate activist training in the fall. Finally, again, we were able to gather in person for social events, marches, hearings and our "Rumble on the River" forums, although our meetings mostly stayed on zoom.
From a media/social media standpoint, 2022 was a very mixed year. Climate issues got all too little attention in Portland's mainstream media, as homelessness/housing, crime and cost of living crises dominated the news and the midterm elections. Isabella Garcia of the Portland Mercury kept a keen eye on the Zenith struggle; here's her most recent article. Twitter was bought, and befouled, by billionaire Elon Musk; our account is now deactivated. In happier news, our Instagram and Facebook accounts are going strong, and our blog bloomed, with more genres of writing, from poetry to government testimony, and more authors than before. Blog author and poster-to-Facebook Damon DiCicco recently welcomed his son Vincent James - our first "XRPDX" baby! I look forward to editing more great blog posts in 2023, and writing a bit more myself. Big thanks to regular Media working group contributors Margaret, Diane, Lynn, Mark, annie, Damon, Michaela, Tri, Syl, and Victoria, with tech support from Wendy.
Enjoy the year-end reports from XRPDX's working groups below, and please take action on one or more items posted here! With love & rage, we build from here.
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XRPDX rebels and friends paid a visit to Senator Wyden's office.
Community voices must be heard! No Dirty Deal!
(Photo credit: Mark Darienzo)
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Stop the Dirty Deal, Once & For All!
Compiled by Janet Weil
Like a zombie, Manchin's dirty deal is back again, and this time we must stop it, once and for all! House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is rumored to try to pass it this week as an attachment to the bloated, $858 BILLION military spending bill (FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act NDAA) or another must-pass spending bill.
We stopped the dirty side deal in September, and we'll stop it again NOW.
Call your U.S. Representative, either Blumenaeur or Bonamici, at this special number so the phone calls can be tallied: (917) 791-2257. (Thanks to Greenpeace for the number and the calling script):
"Hi, my name is ____ & I’m from ____. As your constituent, I’m calling on you to vote NO on any rule that would advance Senator Manchin’s “Energy Independence and Security Act. This Dirty Deal should not be attached to any must-pass legislation. Any national permitting reform should center, not silence, frontline communities and environmental justice, and should be developed through regular committee processes."
On Monday, December 5, XRPDX and allies hand delivered an Open Letter to Senator Wyden's office. As XRPDX member Mark Darienzo reported:
"Ten activists representing several climate organizations entered the Federal Building [in NE Portland - Ed.] hoping to meet with Wyden’s staff. The security guard wanted only three people to enter but we overwhelmed him and all of us entered. We called Wyden’s office requesting a meeting with a staff member. A staff member came down. We expressed our concerns about Manchin's dirty side deal in the military spending bill and gave her a letter to pass on to Wyden. We also asked for a meeting with Wyden directly. She went back to the office to see about setting it up. However, when she came down she read a statement from Wyden that said he will not vote for the military spending bill if the dirty side deal language is included in the bill. We were very surprised and happy to hear that."
Oregon's senators have pledged to do the right thing. But let's keep up the pressure! Call your House Rep today. If the 917 number above is busy, you can reach them at the Congressional Switchboard number: 202-224-3121.
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Tabling reaches new folks. It also costs a bit of time & money.
(Photo credit: Mike Fairhurst)
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We Get by with a Little Help from Our Friends
BIG THANKS to all who have donated so far. As an all-volunteer crew with no office rent, we keep our costs down – but we do have to pay $$ for our website, zoom account, email list management and blog; for props, paper flyers, posters and banners (often highlighted in media coverage); and some non-profit admin expenses. In the coming year, we have big plans, and if we raise enough money, we will hire someone to organize recruitment and outreach to make our climate justice work more powerful and impactful. Please donate here: https://xrpdx.org/donate/. Or, mail a check to Extinction Rebellion PDX, 11918 SE Division St #105, Portland, OR 97266. Your thoughts on how to raise funds are also appreciated; email suggestions to info@xrpdx.org.
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A secret process for an undeserved LUCS for Zenith?
We don't think so!
(Photo credit: Janet Weil)
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Shut Down Zenith! Call DEQ!
By Margaret Butler
We continue to organize to shut down Zenith's air-poisoning and climate-killing operations. As we go to the City Council on December 14 to demand that they rescind the Land Use Compatibility Statement, we also are bringing our demands to the Department of Environmental Quality. Staff at the DEQ have assured XR PDX members that there will be a robust public process around Zenith’s new Air Contaminant Discharge Permit and renewal of its Air Quality Title V Permit. We need to let DEQ know that many people are concerned and oppose Zenith’s continued operation. Please call Interim Director Leah Feldon at 503-229-6408 and ask her not to grant Zenith the permits.
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From our August 2 outreach event in Pioneer Square.
(Photo credit: Janet Weil)
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ANCE (Act Now for Climate Emergency) Report
By Diane Meisenhelter
During 2022, XRPDX’s ANCE work group monitored and protested the City of Portland’s inaction on reducing GHG emissions.
Early in the year we pressured the City Council to include more funds during the City Budget process. We helped organize protests against Portland Business Alliance's attacks on the Portland Clean Energy Fund, including actions at City Hall and PBA offices, resulting in sit down arrests in conjunction with Scientist Rebellion in April. Later this fall, we organized folks to testify on preserving community control over a segment of funding in the proposed PCEF revisions.
In commemoration of 2021 Heat Dome deaths, the ANCE team, joined by allies, organized a memorial at City Hall and pushed for substantive emission reduction actions as part of the City's Climate Emergency Workplan.
Throughout the year we supported Youth vs. ODOT in their push to prevent freeway expansion. We participated in the City’s Build/Shift process for strong policies to reduce emissions in the building sector while ensuring climate justice for low-income tenants. We gave testimony on the City’s renewable fuels policy as well as advocated for enforceable fossil fuel phase out language in Phase 2 of the City Charter process.
After the City granted the LUCS to Zenith, we joined forces with the Scrub the Hub group to push the City to rescind that decision and are planning actions scheduled for December 14 and beyond. On the national level, ANCE members have worked hard to defeat the Manchin Dirty side deal.
We will be holding a zoom meeting on December 7 at 5:30 pm to look at goals for the new year. Your participation is welcome, as we look to address how to decrease local emissions in the various sectors. Write to meissun@hotmail.com for zoom link.
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A fossil fuel hub between the Willamette River and Forest Park, in a liqeufaction zone:
Scrub the CEI Hub! We demand public health & safety! June 4, 2022.
(Photo credit: Janet Weil)
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Scrub The Hub/Shut Down Zenith Report
By Margaret Butler
In March, we started planning for a coalition action at Zenith. With excellent artistic support from Patti Robrahn, we offered our community the choice of Doom or Bloom, calling on Zenith to “Cease and Desist” its operations. With an Appeals Court legal victory for us in Zenith’s battle with the City, we decided to hold off on direct action, with the hope that when the Oregon Supreme Court ruled or refused to hear the appeal, Zenith would be shut down.
Our June 4 march and rally drew over 100 people to Zenith’s facility in the rain. Speakers from XRPDX as well as Portland Youth Climate Strike, Braided River, and others gave short, inspiring speeches. Some rebels performed a satirical skit, and we all danced and sang. We promised that we would come back, which hasn’t yet happened.
As we started planning for the next action, we asked allies to give some input into our strategy. Those August meetings turned into a new coalition effort, with agreement to work together on public education and mobilization.
On November 16, XRPDX members and allies gathered in front of the Bureau of Development Services offices on SW 4th Avenue. We deployed our banners: “Rescind the Zenith LUCS, No More Backroom Deals Dan,” and “Committing Climate Crimes? Better Call Stoel Rives!!” We handed out leaflets about shutting down Climate Criminal Zenith Energy.
Then we danced to the tune of Queen's "We Will Rock You", with our own lyrics of "We Will Stop You", and Megan Trainer's All About That Base, with our own lyrics. The best part: taking the song and dance inside, to entertain and educate those inside. Having fun and raising awareness at the same time!
The new Zenith/ Critical Energy Infrastructure hub (Scrub the Hub!) coalition has hosted two educational “Rumble on the River” forums, with another on December 8 and a fourth on January 17, 2023. The mobilization to shut down Zenith and to alert the public to the dangers of the Hub is growing once more.
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Regen Team members enjoying a joke "intermission."
(Screen share: Lorene Scheer)
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Regenerative Culture Report
By Michaela McCormick
The Regenerative Culture working group, aka “Regen Team,” met weekly on Wednesday afternoons throughout the year. We planned and hosted the XRPDX Retreat on January 22 where we discussed how we work together now—what is good and what needs to change, next steps towards a strategic plan, and what matters most to us, using a pro-social practice.
For our June 4 Zenith Action, Regen took on the roles of Coordinating, Peacekeeping, Parking, Greeting, Petition and XR Contact List Sign-up, Wellness Supplies, and Clean-up. Basically everything needed for a large action with over 100 activists to go well, which it did!
The Non-Violent Direct Action Training we hosted, led by Bonnie McKinlay on July 24, was attended by 20 people and got rave reviews. We organized Affinity Groups which involved a Rapid Action Network, Outreach, Meetups, and Organizing within XR. Over the course of 2022, we presented 16 Introductory slideshows plus discussions on zoom. The Regen Team hosted a potluck picnic for XRPDX on July 14. We continued our regular practices of leading a short breakout for listening pairs and telling jokes in meetings, which have now become a part of XRPDX culture. We do an 8-minute mindfulness meditation to begin our meetings.
For more information on Regenerative Culture, please see this:
https://xrpdx.org/regenerative-culture/
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New On The XR Blog!
Open Letter to Senator Wyden:
https://xrpdx.org/coalition-letter-to-senator-wyden-no-dirty-deal/
Excerpt:
"We ask that you issue a published commitment to vote NO even if it risks a government shutdown which WILL be resolved in the short-term while the devastating impacts of this bill are the worst attacks on environmental protections in decades..."
A few of our favorite posts from 2022:
The Year in Three Book Reviews: Tri Sanger read 3 great books, then wrote about them and where you can find them. Looking for a solid read during the long winter nights? Check this out: https://xrpdx.org/?s=book+review
In 2022, XRPDX's blog had more variety of styles and authors than before. Here's a funny skit from our first office visit to Senator Wyden's office, demanding that he oppose Manchin's dirty deal: https://xrpdx.org/stop-the-dirty-deal-skit-script/ ...
... a thoughtful reflection on wildfires and resilience: https://xrpdx.org/after-the-burn-reflections-from-a-campsite/ ...
... and Wendy's song, "Why Aren't YOU a Rebel?" with lyrics and audio recording: https://xrpdx.org/why-arent-you-a-rebel/
Want to write for the blog? Send an email for guidelines to info@xrpdx.org.
Evergreen:
How To: Write a Letter to the Editor!
https://xrpdx.org/write-a-letter-to-the-editor/
If published, we'll post it to our blog (send to info@xrpdx.org).
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Movement/Coalition-Building: Extinction Rebellion Is Local, National, and Global
Compiled by Janet Weil
"It feels pretty insane to be standing here today advocating for our leaders to take the existential threat of global climate change seriously, and I know you’ve all felt that too. I know this is a huge burden to bear, and it’s one that you never asked for. It’s important to remember that we are playing the long game here, and your stamina will be the most important piece. So friends, keep fighting."
- Victoria Wingell, at OMSI Youth Climate Event, August 23, 2022
In that spirit of recognizing the hard reality of our situation, while building stamina and solidarity for the long fight ahead, here are some resources:
The English Roots of Extinction Rebellion:
https://medium.com/eco-news/a-brief-history-of-extinction-rebellion-xr-e3ceeb5c36fd
Extinction Rebellion in the United States:
https://extinctionrebellion.us/
Extinction Rebellion as a global movement:
https://rebellion.global/
What Happened at COP27? XR co-founder Clare Farrell and scientist Charlie Gardner assess the UN gathering and next steps in organizing
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New to Extinction Rebellion? Get to Know Us!
New to Extinction Rebellion? Here's your form to request an introductory presentation and discussion. Hope to see you on Zoom soon!
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Saying it as many times as we need to: Scrub the CEI Hub!
Doom or Bloom?
(Photo credit: Janet Weil)
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Spread the word!
If someone forwarded you this email, please visit https://xrpdx.org/sign-up-form/ to sign up to receive XRPDX newsletters. If you're already signed up, please forward this to someone - help us spread the word. As a reminder, here are XR US's 4 Demands and XR's 10 principles. Also be sure to follow us on social media! - Janet Weil, Editor
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