More than Just a March

The Women’s March for Human Rights.  The Tax Day March.  The March for Science.  All have been tremendously successful at demonstrating the depth of concern about the direction of the country and particularly the current Administration’s policies.  But many of these marches have been conceived spontaneously, not arising from a clear, multi-pronged plan for change.  So what comes after marching?

Folks at the environmental movement are thinking longer term.  April 29 is the March for Climate, Jobs and Justice, in Washington, D.C., and with sister marches around the country.

But this is more than a March.  As the environmental group 350.org puts it, “we’re calling this the People’s Climate Mobilization instead of just a March. We see April 29th as the culmination of our work to fight Trump during the first 100 days of his administration and the launch pad for a larger, nationwide movement to fight fossil fuels at the local level.”

Human Rights activists should be out in force on April 29, given the clear connections between human rights and climate change.  We know in the US that climate change effects will fall hardest on poor and marginalized individuals, with significant human rights implications.

It’s also clear that the environmental activists are on to something.  These gatherings are not just Marches, however much satisfaction we can take in their size and success:  each of these events is a mobilization, a building block in a broad movement that continues to gather strength.  

So don’t just March.  

For the world, for our children, for ourselves, our task is to March, Mobilize, and Build a Movement.