Event Description:

Make a sign and grab your family and friends! GLOBAL WARMING BLOCK PARTY IN MARKET SQUARE
Hundreds of Seacoast residents are expected to gather in Market Square on Saturday April 14th from noon until 2pm to raise awareness about global warming. The rally, which began as a simple gathering of people concerned with climate change, has now generated so much interest and enthusiasm that part of Pleasant Street will be blocked-off to create room for participants, information tables, music, activities and speakers.

Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand will give the opening speech as the city has recently signed the Mayors Agreement on Climate Change and agreed to be part of the national Cities for Climate Protection plan. The Portsmouth City Council voted unanimously to approve the street closure. NH Speaker of the House, Terrie Norelli and Senator Martha Fuller Clark will address the crowd on current climate change legislation. Reverend Rob Stevens of St. John's Episcopal church will speak on the connection between religion and earth stewardship and Presidential candidate Denis Kucinich will speak about how his energy plan will reduce the carbon emissions responsible for global warming. Rally participants' main message is to urge Congress to cut carbon dioxide emissions 80% by 2050. The idea for the Portsmouth rally came from St. John's Stewardship of the Earth Committee which has been very active around the issue of climate change. Clean Water Action and South Church have joined St. John's in sponsoring the event and a bevy of local environmental concerns have pledged to participate with inspiring information and activities. The Alaska Coalition will have a giant "walking" polar bear on site to remind visitors of the melting ice caps and the NH Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will grace Market Square with their longboards to bring attention to our fragile coastline. Visitors will learn about a myriad of conservation techniques from purchasing bioheat to changing incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents.
Local artist Doug Desjardins will allow children and adults to cover his car in environmental messages and symbols. He will also assist children in creating environmental murals on large pieces of wood.
"I when I signed-up to organize this event, I thought we might have a few dozen people standing in front of the church downtown with signs, but over the last few weeks this whole event has just blossomed into a much larger affair. So many groups and so many people have expressed interest, we began to realize we just wouldn't be able to fit them all in that little space in front of the church. Clearly, global warming is an issue that gets people motivated," says organizer Sarah Brown of St. John's Stewardship of the Earth Committee.

All of NH's Senators and Congresspeople have been invited to attend the rally as well as all the major Presidential candidates. Given NH's first-in-the-nation primary status, chances are good that a big name might just be spotted on April 14th in Market Square.

For information on the Portsmouth event contact Sarah Brown, actionkittery@gwi.net or (207)438-9160 or Doug Bogen, dbogen@cleanwater.org or (603)430-9565

Location:
Market Square, in front of the church in downtown Portsmouth NH

Directions:
I95 to Portsmouth trafic circle take Bartlett St. to Islington St. turn left on Islington St. follow Islington St. to downtown Ports rally in middle of Market Square

One of the younger participants standing next to an endangered friend from the north.


One of the younger participants standing next to an endangered friend from the north.


Market Square in Portsmouth, NH at the height of the rally.


Market Square in Portsmouth, NH at the height of the rally.


"Market Square in Portsmouth, New Hampshire at the height of the rally."


"Market Square in Portsmouth, New Hampshire at the height of the rally."


"Market Square in Portsmouth, New Hampshire at the height of the rally."


"Market Square in Portsmouth, New Hampshire at the height of the rally."


Indigo Simms, Marissa Dupont, and Ford Simms proudly display their environmentally friendly signs.


Here is a closeup of the sign carried by Miss Indigo Simms, which portrays her disapproval for the way the president and vice president have treated environmental concerns.


There were numerous signs posted around Pleasant Street featuring statistics about carbon emissions and pollution. This sign shows where various vehicles stand in terms of carbon emissions.


Here is a shot of the mural in progress that many of the attendees participated in painting.


Here is Dennis Kucinich speaking about his global concerns.


Ford Simms stands with presidential candidate Deniis Kucinich, with a sign they can both agree with.

Event Announcements

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Rally Could Become Block Party!

26 Mar 15:23

Because so much interest has been generated amongst environmental groups here on the Seacoast we are requesting a "street closure" on Pleasant St. which would really "step-up" our event and turn it into a block party and rally and allow us to have informational tables and kids activities.
The Portsmouth City Council will consider the street closing at its next meeting April 4th.
If we do get the street closure it will turn into a much bigger event and we plan to have music and info tables.
Please spread the word to anyone who cares about the planet.

---

Rally Could Become Block Party!

26 Mar 15:23

Because so much interest has been generated amongst environmental groups here on the Seacoast we are requesting a "street closure" on Pleasant St. which would really "step-up" our event and turn it into a block party and rally and allow us to have informational tables and kids activities.
The Portsmouth City Council will consider the street closing at its next meeting April 4th.
If we do get the street closure it will turn into a much bigger event and we plan to have music and info tables.
Please spread the word to anyone who cares about the planet.

---

Rally Could Become Block Party!

26 Mar 15:23

Because so much interest has been generated amongst environmental groups here on the Seacoast we are requesting a "street closure" on Pleasant St. which would really "step-up" our event and turn it into a block party and rally and allow us to have informational tables and kids activities.
The Portsmouth City Council will consider the street closing at its next meeting April 4th.
If we do get the street closure it will turn into a much bigger event and we plan to have music and info tables.
Please spread the word to anyone who cares about the planet.