QC People’s Climate Rally

It may have been a cold and rainy Saturday at Modern Woodmen Park, but that didn’t stop around 300 Quad Cities residents and organizations from joining together to demand action on climate change.

Speakers, including former Rock Island mayor Mark Schweibert and Entrepreneur/Black Hawk College student Adriana McBride, covered topics from individual actions to national policy changes while local grassroots organizations handed out information ranging from legal issues surrounding DAPL to clean water access.

The event finished out with a speech and performance by Sage Sisters of Solidarity members Regina M. Tsosie and Larry Lockwood. Overall the rally’s organizers considered the turnout a success, further proving that climate change is as much a local issue as it is a global one.

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Attendees braved rain, wind, and chilly temps to attend the rally.

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Sage Sisters of Solidarity member Regina M. Tsosie discusses issues surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline with students from Augustana College.

QC People’s Climate Rally - 5 of 12 by James Wilson on 500px.com

With the team away, Modern Woodmen Park owners granted use of the park’s covered Concourse and provided a staffed concession stand, a good thing considering the weather.

QC People’s Climate Rally - 6 of 12 by James Wilson on 500px.com

QC People’s Climate Rally - 7 of 12 by James Wilson on 500px.com

Pastor Rich Hendricks from the Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities co-organized the event and spoke on resisting political correctness on the topic of climate.

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Former Rock Island mayor Mark Schweibert spoke on the importance of actions taken on the individual level to curb climate change.

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Many attendees brought signs of their own and for those that didn’t, organizers provided a sign making table.

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Entrepreneur and Black Hawk College student Adriana McBride discusses alternative energy and waste reduction options.

QC People’s Climate Rally - 12 of 12 by James Wilson on 500px.com

Sage Sisters of Solidarity members Regina M. Tsosie and Larry Lockwood spoke about their experiences at Standing Rock and performed songs to close out the event.

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