The International Day of Peace, faith, social justice, and environmental leaders, as well as concerned citizens throughout Chattanooga, converged on Coolidge Park Walker Pavilion Friday to attend a rally organized by a coalition of groups including Sierra Club, Grace Episcopal Church, Pilgrim Church, and UTC Ecological Decisions for a Global Environment to show support for spreading active nonviolence to end war, poverty, injustice, and the climate crisis.
“God endowed us with creation, and our mission is to keep and protect it. We speak out today in support of action to end war, poverty, injustice, and the climate crisis and we must do everything in our power to stop them,” said David Stanislawski of Grace Episcopal Church.
"War, poverty, inequality, and climate change are all connected,” said Anne Curtis, of Campaign Nonviolence. “Disadvantaged populations contribute the least to climate change but suffer the most, and their lack of hope too often leads to conflict.”
“The overwhelming judgment of science is that we need to act on climate,” said Barbara Kelly of Cherokee Sierra Club. “We need to act now to protect our health, our economy, and future generations. Come add your voice, for each matters.”
Speakers at Friday’s event included Mr. Stanislawski, Sara Neumann and Taylor Lyon (UTC, Ecological Decisions for Global Environment); Terry and Kathleen Stulce (Pilgrim Church); Mel and Eleanor Cooper (Campaign Nonviolence); Marcus Patrick Ellsworth and Bill Reynolds (Sierra Club).
Across the United States, thousands of organizations and citizens joined their voices in over 220 demonstrations and education Campaign for Nonviolence events occurring from Sept. 21-28. Last Sunday, over 300,000 marchers from all walks of life took part in the People's Climate March in New York to call for climate action.
In addition to Sierra Club, Grace Episcopal Church, Pilgrim Church, and UTC Ecological Decisions for a Global Environment, other groups supporting the event include Climate Chattanooga - Healthy Energy for Everyone and members of the United Universalist Church and Quaker Meeting Church.