Quantcast
Environmental News for a Healthier Planet and Life

20+ Arrested Protesting Keystone XL at Philly Federal Building

Laura Beans
Mar. 10, 2014 04:55PM EST Energy

Today, protesters in Philadelphia, PA, targeted the corrupt process that produced the U.S. State Department’s final analysis claiming the Keystone XL pipeline would not cause any “significant” climate damage.

Protesters block entrance to the Federal Building in Philadelphia, PA. Photo credit: Earth Quaker Action Team

The formal public comment period on the pipeline decision came to a close Friday, so today Keystone XL opponents turned from words to actions, saying “No” to the pipeline by putting their bodies on the line.

In front of the Federal Building activists brought brooms, to "sweep out" the corruption of the State Department's Final Environmental Impact Statement, underwritten by a firm with close ties to TransCanada and the oil industry.

Activists use brooms to symbolize the act of "sweeping out corruption." Photo credit: Earth Quaker Action Team

"A few years ago I realized that all the things I do to secure my children's future—from bringing them to the doctor for annual checkups to helping them with their homework—won't mean anything if the climate they inherit is destroyed," said Eileen Flanagan, Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT) board member and mother of two. "I'm willing to risk being arrested to show President Obama that this issue is this important."

As the time draws closer for President Obama to decide whether or not to allow the pipeline that would carry 830,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta, Canada, to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast, hundreds of thousands of Americans have already opposed the pipeline in multiple ways—and the movement is growing.

Protesters at the Federal Building in Philadelphia, PA. Photo credit: Earth Quaker Action Team

“We’re in a deep hole with the climate,” said Jonathan Lipman with 350 Philadelphia. “The President says he wants to help us climb out. But approving this pipeline would just dig the hole deeper. If we are serious about changing course on climate change, we must start reducing oil consumption and oil production now.”

President Obama ran on a promise of “ending the tyranny of oil.” Today’s protestors reminded him that he would betray both his campaign promise and his commitment to battling climate change if he caves to Big Oil and approves the pipeline.

Eileen Flanagan of EQAT is arrested at the Federal Building. Photo credit: Earth Quaker Action Team

Organizations represented at today's action includes, EQAT, 350 Philadelphia, Sierra Club Pa, Food & Water Watch, Be the Change. 

Visit EcoWatch’s KEYSTONE XL page for more related news on this topic.

energy keystone xl featured news

EcoWatch Daily Newsletter

coronavirus

Coronavirus Comes for Louisiana's Cancer Alley

Health + Wellness
The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana has been converted to a 1,000-bed field hospital for coronavirus patients to alleviate stress on local hospitals. Chris Graythen / Getty Images

An area in Louisiana whose predominantly black and brown residents are hard-hit by health problems from industry overdevelopment is experiencing one of the highest death rates from coronavirus of any county in the United States.

Read More Show Less
louisiana cancer health covid-19 pandemic coronavirus
coronavirus

The Immune System's Fight Against the Coronavirus

Health + Wellness
A woman lies in bed with the flu. marka/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

A central player in the fight against the novel coronavirus is our immune system. It protects us against the invader and can even be helpful for its therapy. But sometimes it can turn against us.

Read More Show Less
immune system health viruses pandemic covid19 coronavirus
Sponsored
plants

Delicate Flowers Have Remarkable Ability to Recover From Injury, Scientists Find

Science
Several flower species, including the orchid, can recover quickly from severe injury, scientists have found. cunfek / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Calling someone a delicate flower may not sting like it used to, according to new research. Scientists have found that many delicate flowers are actually remarkably hearty and able to bounce back from severe injury.

Read More Show Less
plants science biodiversity
greenhouse gases

Airlines Push to Loosen Carbon Restrictions Amid Pandemic

Business
A Boeing 727 flies over approach lights with a trail of black-smoke from the engines on April 9, 2018. aviation-images.com / Universal Images Group via Getty Images

With global air travel at a near standstill, the airline industry is looking to rewrite the rules it agreed to tackle global emissions. The Guardian reports that the airline is billing it as a matter of survival, while environmental activists are accusing the industry of trying to dodge their obligations.

Read More Show Less
coronavirus transportation paris agreement greenhouse gases climate emergency
2020 election

Voting During a Pandemic

Politics
A National Guard member works on election day at a polling location on April 7, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin. Andy Manis / Getty Images.

ByJulia Baumel

The outbreak of COVID-19 across the U.S. has touched every facet of our society, and our democracy has been no exception.

Read More Show Less
coronavirus voting politics pandemic democracy 2020 election