***the BIG one*** Sea of People Mass Rally
New York, NY
April 14, 2007 12:00PM to 03:00PM
Event Description:What is SEA OF PEOPLE? - visit www.seaofpeople.org for more info -
New York City's coastal location makes it particularly vulnerable to rising sea
levels that will result from unabated warming. A ten-foot change could result from significant melting of the Antarctic and Greenland ice shelves over the course of this century. Such a rise would greatly reconfigure the map of our city, sinking much of lower Manhattan beneath the water.
The SEA OF PEOPLE project combines the dynamics of a mass rally with the expressive power of an interactive artistic installation. A noon rally at Battery Park (main lawn) will kick off the event. Then, thousands of participants, ideally dressed in blue, will stretch north in two columns along the projected eastern and western 10-foot waterlines that may one day redefine lower Manhattan under the ten-foot sea level rise scenario. Creating, in essence, a Sea of People!
We hope for this line to stretch a mile or more, winding up both sides of downtown Manhattan to create a visual and symbolic statement that our elected representatives can't possibly ignore!
SEA OF PEOPLE INSTRUCTIONS:
Leave your home, wearing blue, as much blue as you can handle -- blue shirts, blue socks, blue underwear, blue shoes, blue pants, blue hats! Remember, the Sea Of People line is yours, so feel to put your stamp on it--GO NUTS! We've heard through the grapevine that Papa Smurf and the Blue Man Group (or at least impersonators) will be making guest appearances! Others plan on coming dressed in blue speedos, complete with beach balls and umbrellas; there may even be some mermaids! And of course, please feel free to bring BANNERS, NOISEMAKERS, AND ALL YOUR FRIENDS!
Join us at Battery Park on the main lawn at 12 Noon on Saturday, April 14. DIRECTIONS: The Battery is accessible from State Street and Battery Place. It is adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal (SUBWAY: 4/5 to Bowling Green, R/W to Whitehall Street, 1 to South Ferry. BUS: M1, M6, M15 to South Ferry)
This is what we'll have waiting for you at Battery Park:
-Special Guest Bill McKibben (Founder/Organizer of National Step It Up 2007 Campaign)
-Reverend Billy & the Stop Shopping Choir
-Short addresses from New York City's young climate activists as well as representatives from New York City's advocate, business, faith and science communities, including Crystal Madiera (Youth Activist, Global Kids), Avery Hairston (Youth Activist, relightNY), James Wang, PhD (Climate Scientist, Environmental Defense), Kizzy Guzman (Environmental Justice Advocate, WEACT), Eric Goldstein (Director, NRDC NY Environment Program) Bryan Maitland (Youth Speaker, High School For Environmental Studies), Paul de Vries, PhD (National Creation Care Leader, New York Divinity School), Tiffany Cordero (Youth Speaker, M.S. 332 University Neighborhood Middle School), Zak Sawyer (Youth Speaker, theweeklyplanet.org), Bruce Kahn, PhD (Green Financial Advisor, Smith Barney Citigroup), and Rico Bautista (Youth Speaker, Uprose).
After the rally, the Sea Of People will flow at high tide--this is where you come in! The crowd will be divided into two groups or "waves" -- a line of red flags will determine which wave you will be a part of (the wave closer to the rally stage will be the second wave). Led by marching bands, the first wave will leave, with part of the wave heading east and part of the wave heading west. Eastern and western exits to the park will be marked by large green and blue banners respectively. Once the first wave has reached the midpoint of the "sea line" on both the eastern and western lines, the second wave will begin to flow. Be sure to listen to cues from the MC to know when you should start heading out, and don't be afraid to grab a volunteer (look for people dressed as "buoys" -- with red fabric/sashes attached to their shirts) and ask for help!
The route of the Sea Of People lines can be viewed on this map:
www.communitywalk.com/seaofpeople
While the lines are forming, we'll be following (as closely as possible) the projected eastern and western 10-foot waterlines that may one day redefine lower Manhattan under the ten-foot sea level rise scenario. Again, look out for our "buoy-ed" volunteers, who will be marking the line path. Please keep in mind that all regular traffic laws need to be followed -- we will be forming the lines along sidewalks, participants will not be able to block intersections and when moving into line formation, we will need to assemble no wider than 3-people abreast.
We will need everyone's patience while we form the Sea Of People, but of course, we encourage you to make all the noise (sing, shout, chant, step it up!) you can to ensure that the Sea Of People is seen and heard. Remember: we are asking congress to Step It Up!: Cut US Carbon Emissions 80% By 2050!!! Once everyone is in place, giant waves (yes, THE WAVE) will be sent down the line in both directions. Smile for the cameras and have fun!
Location:
MAIN LAWN at Battery Park, New York, NY 10004
Directions:
SUBWAY:
R/W to Whitehall Street, 4/5 to Bowling Green, 1 to South Ferry
BUS: M1, M6, M15 to South Ferry
Attachments From Host:
Listening to the speakers. The littlest one gets the best view.
People were asked to wear blue.
Fish banners led the line up the east side following the rally.
The Stop Shopping Choir reminded people of hour our habits of over-consumption promote environmental catastrophe!
A sense of fun underscores important points on halting the rising high-tide lines in coastal cities!
3-deep as far as the eye could could see up and down Pearl Street!
Fish banners led the line up the east side following the rally.
The Stop Shopping Choir reminded people of hour our habits of over-consumption promote environmental catastrophe!
A sense of fun underscores important points on halting the rising high-tide lines in coastal cities!
3-deep as far as the eye could could see up and down Pearl Street!
Banner: Cut CO2 by 80% by 2050
end of the east wave in front of the South St. Seaport
Banner: Cut CO2 by 80% by 2050
end of the east wave in front of the South St. Seaport
Step It Up 2007 sign at the Sea of People event in Battery Park, Manhattan.
The large crowd at the Sea of People event in Battery Park.
Dr. James Wang explains the state of the scientific consensus around global warming at the Sea of People event.
Bill McKibben addresses the crowd at the Sea of People event.
Congressman Anthony D. Weiner, NY 9th District
Congressman Anthony D. Weiner, NY 9th District
Congressman Anthony Weiner
Congressman Anthony Weiner
Eric Goldstein, NRDC NY Environmental Program
Bill McKibben, Founder Organizer of National Step It Up 2007
Pearl Street marchers
Huggies!
Splashers!
Neptunas!
Future Sea
Huggies!
Splashers!
Neptunas!
Future Sea
My favorite sign from the rally!
Sea of People rally underway at Battery Park.
Activists from all walks joined hands creating a Sea of People to show how Manhattan's financial district would be reshaped by a 10 foot rise in sea level.
Activists from all walks joined hands, creating a Sea of People to show how Manhattan's financial district could be reshaped by a 10-foot-rise in sea level.
Polar Bears and whales came together at the Sea of People do protest their endangered habitats.
The Sea of People marches across Wall Street.
Less Planes, More Trains.
Activists from all walks joined hands, creating a Sea of People to show how Manhattan's financial district could be reshaped by a 10-foot-rise in sea level.
Polar Bears and whales came together at the Sea of People do protest their endangered habitats.
The Sea of People marches across Wall Street.
Less Planes, More Trains.
pictured:
Harry J. Bubbins, Director friendsofbrookpark.org
Tzeporah Berman, Founder of forestethics.org
Bill Mc Kibben, lead organizer of Step It Up and the author of "The End of
Nature", professor Middlebury College
Questions? Email the Host
Event Announcements
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS - April 5!
05 Apr 19:21
We still need A LOT OF DAY-OF VOLUNTEERS to make the Sea Of People a reality!!! Here's how you can volunteer --
training sessions begin this weekend:
All volunteers will need to attend a 2-hour training session/orientation at Battery Park (MEET in front of CASTLE CLINTON and LOOK FOR "Sea Of People Volunteers" sign)
3 training sessions available:
Sat. April 7, 10am-12pm
Sat. April 7, 2pm-4pm
Thurs. April 12, 6-8pm
To sign up to volunteer, e-mail volunteers@seaofpeople.org and indicate the volunteer group you would like to be a part of as well as the volunteer training session you can attend. (You may also just come join us at a volunteer session, but RSVP if possible). If you are absolutely unable to make it to any of the sessions, but would still like to volunteer, please e-mail volunteers@seaofpeople.org and we'll tell you what to do.
