#breakfree2016

Our water is poisoned because of mines. Our air is polluted because of coal-fired power plants. Our fish is disappearing because of hydropower dams. Our students and workers are falling asleep after breathing in exhausts during morning commutes. Our children and adults are losing green space to connect with Nature. We are facing food insecurity for the sake of development.

What can we do to make the world a better place? I usually hear adults say youth is the future of the country, but I disagree. Youth is here and youth is now. We can tackle the problem and be part of the solution towards a just and ecological-respected society. What can we actually do?

Break Free PNW in Anacortes, WA

ANACORTES, WASHINGTON, USA -- May 13 - May 15, 2016.

On Friday evening, May 13, 2016, a blockade encampment was set up on the train tracks leading to the oil refineries in Anacortes. The blockade lasted over 36 hours on the train tracks as part of the Break Free actions happening around the world. 

Throughout the weekend, thousands of people converged in Anacortes, WA, as part of the global climate mobilization Break Free. Many risked arrest by engaging in peaceful civil disobedience to highlight the moral urgency of immediate action to combat climate change. Anacortes is home to two fossil fuel refineries owned by Shell and Tesoro. These refineries are the largest unaddressed source of carbon pollution in the Northwest and they refine 47% of all the gas and diesel used in the region. Break Free Pacific Northwest events will continue throughout the weekend.

Break Free 2016 is a week of coordinated direct actions that target the most dangerous fossil fuel projects, in an effort to keep coal, oil and gas in the ground and accelerate a just transition to 100% renewable energy. Thousands of people all over the planet are putting their bodies on the line to send a message to polluters and politicians that we need to break free from fossil fuels now.