This is what democracy looks like!

“If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike. Give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.” Chief Joseph

On November 6, 2011, people from all across the country, from all different backgrounds, came together to protest the Keystone Pipeline XL. There were over 12,000 people surrounding the White House, locking arms, standing together, to protect mother earth. It was a learning and emotional experience. 

It was a learning experience, I knew a great deal about the science of the tar sands project and its impact. But the biggest lesson I learned was that of civil disobedience and protesting. As a 19 year old, I read a great deal about protests and movements, but to actually take part in one, was incredible. Just a few months ago very few Americans new about the Tar Sands Pipeline. The actions of Bill McKibben and friends in August protesting and getting arrested in front of the White House, started the momentum. I remember when Bill was arrested, he said not to feel sympathy for him, but rather he was lonely sitting in the jail. In a short time more than 1200 people were arrested. The call was made, more people were needed, more action needed to be taken, and as a result a 12,000 people reminded President Obama, that we would end the tyranny of oil.

There were a multitude of speakers, from Naomi Klein, and Bill McKibben,  to NASA scientist James Hansen, and actor Mark Ruffalo to civil rights activist Dick Gregory. (Plus there were a few more) Each speaker brought a unique perspective to the protest, and motivated the crowd even more.

Originally, the creators of the event didn’t know if enough people would show up to encircle the White House. We did have enough, at some sections people were 3-4 lines deep. There were chants, songs and a sense of a true movement being born and coming to life.

It was an emotional experience for a couple of reasons. First, to see so many people of different colors, different gender, different religions all coming together for one reason was moving. Second, the aftermath of the protest brought great joy. The main street media covered the protest, and Chris Hayes from MSNBC dedicated a half hour of his show to the protest. I had just taken part in something that had changed our country’s direction. The President heard our message, he delayed the decision on the Keystone Pipeline for 15 months until after the election. In fifteen months, if another decision is to be made we will return to Washington to protest the pipeline again. We will make it bigger, and we will fight just as hard, because this is truly what democracy looks like.