People all over Wisconsin are uniting and gathering together to fight toward one vital cause: the climate emergency. As of late, there is no shortage of extensive and damaging policies and actions being taken right now to hinder the natural resources of our sacred Earth. With events like the March Forth to Earth Day Climate Action Events, citizens of the great state of Wisconsin are able to take back and demand change from leaders and policy makers for the better of the community.
What is the March Forth to Earth Day Climate Action Month?
Starting March 4th and continuing for 8 consecutive weeks, every Friday until Earth Day (April 22nd) communities across Wisconsin are holding climate justice demonstrations. These assemblies will be held in person and virtually depending on the individual event which will be listed in advance. Each Climate Action event holds a social or environmental justice theme and guest speakers will be vocalizing concerns and offering solutions and actions citizens can take to demand change. These events are held safely distanced outdoors or will be live streamed to social media platforms for any virtual events.
March Forth to Earth Day Project Facebook Page
March Forth to Earth Day Events
The March Forth to Earth Day events are meant to call upon all leaders to do what is right and defend the Earth and the people who live in our communities. It is imperative that we work swiftly and intently to ensure that all children get to experience a save and viable future for years to come. It is in our hands to change the fate of the environmental and social justices that have been called upon in our great state.
“We demand:”
- No new expansions of fossil fuel infrastructure.
- That Enbridge remove its failing pipelines from Wisconsin and stop polluting and threatening the treaty lands of Wisconsin’s First Nations people.
- That all leaders and policymakers facilitate rapid and massive investments in all that is necessary to transition our society to clean and renewable energy sources.
To do anything less, would be a flagrant violation of treaties with sovereign nations and a total disregard for safety and wellbeing of future generations.
Stop Line 5 Enbridge Pipeline – March 4th
WHERE: Cesar Chavez Community Center 2221 Douglas Ave, Racine, WI 53402
WHEN: March 4th, NOON
From the Wisconsin DNR, “The existing Line 5 pipeline runs from Superior to the upper peninsula of Michigan through the Straits of Mackinac and lower peninsula of Michigan to Canada. Line 5 crosses through approximately 12 miles of the Bad River Reservation of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Enbridge is proposing a reroute of Line 5 around the Bad River Reservation.”
The Line 5 pipeline is owned by the Canadian company Enbridge and was built in 1953 to transport mostly tar sands oil from Superior, WI to Sarnia, Ontario. The new project being proposed will cross 185 waterways, potentially contaminating them and trespassing on the Bad River Reservation. We must protest this pipeline proposal and help protect the sacred lands and drinking water of the Bad River Nation.
What can you do? Submit comments to deny permits to the Wisconsin DNR to reroute the Line 5 Pipeline.
Submit your comments to the Wisconsin DNR here. (Don’t worry, there are sample comments to use!)
Testimony from Mike Wiggins on Line 5 –Chair, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Susan Simansky Bietila – ART as Activism
Go Solar Now – March 11th
WHERE: City Hall Annex 800 Center St, Racine, WI 53403
WHEN: March 11th, NOON
ACTION:
View City of Racine’s Solar project
Speaker: Mayor Cory Mason, Jim Fergus
“We are in a climate emergency! Burning fossil fuels is the primary cause of climate change. Join us to learn what we can do to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.”
Lac Du Flambeau’s Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl Living Arts and Cultural Center Solar project.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – March 18th
WHERE: Racine Public Library
WHEN: March 18th, NOON
ACTION: A presentation by Menominee Tribal Legislator, Rachel Fernandez speaking of the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women in the state and nation – Disappearance, murder, and human trafficking of Indigenous women and girls.
Speaker: Rachel Fernandez, Executive Director of Maeqtekuahkihkiw Metaemohsak, Inc., Woodland Women. Jingle Dancers
Care of Creation Prayer Service – March 25th
WHERE: Virtually hosted at Siena Center by the Racine Dominicans – Live Stream here
WHEN: March 25th, 1:00 PM
Siena Center is not open to the public due to COVID restrictions. Public can access the live stream at
Militarism and Climate Change – April 1st
WHERE: Monument Square – Downtown Racine, WI
WHEN: April 1st, NOON
ACTION: Speaker: Julie Enslow, Peace Action WI Speaker: Belinda Thielen, Kenosha/Racine Friends
Spring Meditation Walk and Tour – April 8th
WHERE: Eco Justice Center – 7133 Michna RD Racine, WI 53402
WHEN: April 8th, 5:00 PM
Appreciate the sights and sounds of Eco Justice Center as spring begins to bloom and reconnect with nature and Mother Earth on this Meditation Walk and Tour.
CLIMATE CRISIS & IMPACT ON THE GREAT LAKES – April 15th
WHERE: City of Racine’s Zoo Beach Pathway. Park along Michigan Blvd. or in parking lot by Lakeview Community Center on corner of Michigan Ave. and Goold St.
WHEN: April 15th, 4:00 PM
ACTION: Education & Preservation of clean water & wind power
REFLECTION:: Pastor Darren Utley
Speaker: Tom Rutkowski- Sierra Club-Wind Power as energy source
Indigenous Soil and Water Blessing – April 15th
WHERE: Racine Zoo Beach – Park along Michigan Blvd. or in parking lot by Lakeview Community Center on corner of Michigan Ave. and Goold St.
WHEN: April 15th, 6:00PM
Speakers: David and Amy Maack – Reflections by Kayla Matz
Earth Day Event – April 22nd
WHERE: 734 S. Marquette St. Garden, 734 Marquette Street 53403
WHEN: April 22nd, 5:00 PM
“Proclaim land acknowledgement ground blessing”
Impact of Pipeline projects on our Sacred Earth and disappearance, murder, and human trafficking of Indigenous women and girls.
Speaker: Pastor Danielle Linstrom, Mary Siuta.