We had a great StepItUp rally on Saturday, April 14, at Pickering Square in Bangor, kicked off by Shawn Mercer and the Boondock Blues Band. The Cool Bangor Coalition's MC and primary coordinator, Leslie Dickinson, welcomed the crowd and introduced speakers. The weather was a little cold and cloudy but the rain held off, and spirits and energy were high. Bangor's Mayor Richard Greene spoke on what the city of Bangor was doing to address climate change, while UMaine climate scientist Gordon Hamilton spoke about the science of climate change and implications for Maine. Other speakers included Valerie Carter, on labor/environment alliances, and John Hanson, Executive Director of the Maine State Construction and Building Trades Council, on the need for organized labor and environmentalists to work together; ending with Rev. Mark Worth on the moral and social challenges of global warming. Fiddler Elizabeth Ellis played fiddle tunes between each speaker despite the 42 degree weather. We also read a letter from ME Congressman Michael Michaud, pledging to take action to fight global warming. Our turnout was at least 125 (another estimate is 200!) despite the lower estimates by media. Our awesome banner was made by SEED (Save Our Earth from Environmental Destruction), a group of Bangor High School Students. The rally ended with more rousing music by Shawn Mercer and his band. At 3 p.m., many people trooped over to the Penobscot Theatre (Bangor Opera House) to watch "Everything's Cool" and "An Inconvenient Truth". We got good media coverage by Channels 2 and 5 in Bangor, and prior coverage as well, including an article and op-ed in the Bangor Daily News. Thanks to all who came and participated!

(Press coverage links below)

(Press coverage links below)

On a cold day in mid-Bangor,Maine we had a band and fiddler, a big banner, tables with literature and post cards (more than 100 sent to our congressional delegation, and Pres. Bush), and displays by vendors of energy-efficient products (e.g., compact fluorescent bulbs by Home Depot, hybrid cars by Toyota & Honda). Speakers included a scientist from the University of Maine Climate Change Institute, the Mayor of Bangor, and representatives from organized labor and religion. The outdoor rally was followed by showings of the films, "Everything's Cool" and "An Inconvenient Truth" at the nearby Bangor Opera House.

Estimated crowd of 200. Band played music. Great speakers.

Estimated crowd of 200. Band played music. Great speakers.

I would like to recognize the organizing committee who worked very hard to pull this rally together in a relatively brief time period. Thanks to Lee Davis (co-chair), Ron Davis, Jim Frick, Christine Diebold, Valerie Carter, Hope Brogunier, Lucy Quimby, Jen Rowe, Libby Norton and Suzanne Kelly for their diligence and dedication. In addition, we greatly appreciate our co-sponsors: Cool Bangor Coalition, Bangor Area Citizens Organized for Responsible Development (BACORD), Maine Sierra Club, Maine Chapter of Citizens for Global Solutions, SEED, Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian-Universalist Society of Bangor, Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine, River City Cinema and Penobscot Valley Chapter of Maine Audubon.

Cheers,

Leslie Dickinson
Co-chair, StepItUp Bangor