Hundreds marched to the statehouse from a local Sugaring-shack at the edge of town to demand action from our leaders. US Senator Bernie Sanders addressed the crowd, as did State Senate President Peter Shumlin. Both men pledged to enact strong laws that will cut carbon 80% by 2050. Earlier in the day local business owners addressed the economic impacts of climate change in Vermont.

We walked from Morris Farm to the Montpelier state house. Bernie Sanders spoke with a few other political figures. It was great to be on the steps of the Vermont house Stepping it UP, helping to cut carbons 80 percent by 2050!

Starting at a favorite childhood spot... Morse Farm, we started our trek to the State House with junk percussion instruments in hand. During the 2-3 mile journey, we chanted a call and response of "Stop!" and "Global Warming" with a percussive beat behind. Only being able to walk two people abreast, we walked along the busy County Road constantly being honked at by enthusiastic supporters. We covered a great distance of the road and had participants from every age group. Once we reached the State House, we were joined by Sen. Sanders and Rep. Shumlin who highly supported our movement and were joined in spirit by Rep. Welch who was out of country at the time. Being the future generation of America, we were overjoyed at the support of our community and all other supporters of Step It Up that we've seen today. THANK YOU!!!!

Our party of four started its' "Step
It Up 2007" event at Montpelier High School. We began by getting on a shuttle to Morse Farm on the County Road. We looked forward to gathering with others of like mind in promoting the most vital issue of our times.
Our enthusiasm was quickly challenged upon our arrival at Morse Farm. Organizers at the site requested signatures from particpants on
two counts: 1) send a message to Washington, D.C. that global warming
issues are a priority and demand immediate attention, and 2) agree to
walk 3 miles to the Vermont State House
from the Morse Farm in a safe fashion.
The second signature (which members
of our party refused to signed) was
problematic for the following reasons:
(a) the organizers of the march were
very militant. 1/2 of the marchers were treated with total disrepect. Please
understand that participants included
parents pushing stollers and people
over the age of 55. This split the marchers into two distinct groups: the survirors and those who could not keep up. Those assigned to keeping the marchers in line, were militant and
VERY abusive. Survival of the Fittest was the game, and if you could not\
keep up, you were admonished and ridiculed. This abuse was done under the name of "safety". Please note that the writer of this report grew up in Montpelier, and knows the County Road requires safety on foot. That is NOT
the issue. It is sad that citizens of our country and the great State of Vermont are subject to such tyranny
and control. Oh yes, it is done under
the guise of "protection". There is
a greater principle at stake. Need
I say more? Two members of our party\ of four were guests from the Commonwealth of Masssachusetts. It
was a great embarassment to have our friends witness such tyranny. As one
who has worked for a battered women's shelter,I cringe.
On a positive note, the speeches at
the Vermont State House sent a clear
message to Washington, that our State
intends to lead the nation on the most
important issue facing planet.
Please value our "Raging Nannies"
by allowing their voices to be heard
loud and clear. As citizens, they
should have been heard before the
speakers and not as an "add-on".

I just wanted to write in to say what a positive experience I thought the Montpelier Step It Up Event was. What fun! And I really appreciated the safety. I was walking with a child in a stroller and I felt it was really important that the walk be effective and SAFE. That said, I was so pleased with the impact the event had on our legislators in attendence. I hope Congress feels the heat from the day as well. I am still hearing positive feedback on the day in the office and have truly been inspired. Thank you!

Step it up, Montpelier! Saturday was so much fun, it made me proud to be a resident of this fabulous capitol city. I could not disagree more with the previous post about the organization of the parade! Considering what they were up against (2 lane road with no shoulder or sidewalk) I thought the folks in charge did a great job managing the situation, which at times was challenging. I never heard anyone complain about the pace or the direction - in fact we were all remarking how smooth and fun it was! I felt inspired and proud to be a part of such a great event...and especially enjoyed hearing from our own Bernie Sanders about what he's doin to save the planet! Keep it UP!

I would have to agree with Ms. Brauer above that although the intent of the
people in charge of "guiding" the marchers
down county rd was one of safety .They came off as gestapo like in thier delivery.
I think they could have been nicer in thier approach Rather than shouting orders to the marchers.
In all fairness most of this abuse came from what I decerned as the leader
of this group. She not only was abusive
to the marchers she was abusive to her
own volunteers. She turned what could
have been a pleasant experience into
a march from hell. [/rant]
I was happy when she got into a car
and apparently rode the rest of the march out. The experience at the state
house was great and relaxing.
They incorporated the group picture
and the Raging Grannies singing at the same time.This made it impossible to see or even hear the Raging Grannies.Insulting to them at the very least.These women are some of the pioneers of the anti-war movement in this country .Perhaps the organizers of the step it up .org are not educated in this fact, otherwise they would have
been a little more respectful.

great