[act-ma] Roll Against Coal - bike ride to Salem

[Bikes Not Bombs]

Join us for a bike ride from Boston to a rally in Salem, to help shut  
down the coal plant that is Massachusetts' 3rd largest source of  
carbon pollution, and put Massachusetts on a path towards 100%  
renewable energy!

Full info at http://bikesnotbombs.org/rollagainstcoal

RSVP at:  http://members.greenpeace.org/event/view/3972/


WHY?
The Salem Harbor Coal Plant has negative impacts on people and  
environment. Salem Harbor is Massachusetts' third largest contributor  
of carbon emissions, and damages local ecosystems through waste  
discharge into the air and the Atlantic. There are 100,000 people who  
live within 3 miles of this plant, and these people are directly  
impacted by the plant. In 2001 The Harvard School of Public Health  
preformed a study that estimated that Salem Harbor and its sister  
plant, Brayton Point, cause 159 premature deaths, 43,000 asthma  
attacks and upper respiratory irritation in 300,000 people across New  
England. Governor Patrick has expressed interest in shutting down the  
Salem Harbor Coal Plant, but the people of Massachusetts need to make  
this issue a priority for the governor.

The Roll Against Coal will show Boston's solidarity with community  
groups in Salem (SAFE - Salem Alliance for the Environment and  
Healthlink) that have been laboring for more than a decade to shut  
down this obsolete and dirty plant. Building ties between  
organizations in Salem and Boston will be tremendously helpful in the  
fight to shut down Salem Harbor. An immediate result from the ride  
will be increased media attention to this issue.


WHO?
--> Greenpeace Boston  is the lead organizer, and is currently  
campaigning against coal and for green jobs/energy. Shutting down  
Salem Harbor is a powerful first step to making a clean energy future  
a reality for MA.
--> Students for a Just and Stable Future  is a student led volunteer  
network. One of SJSF's primary goals is to take on dirty energy, and  
in MA, students are campaigning for 100% clean electricity in 10 years.
--> Bikes Not Bombs  (BNB) uses bicycles in local youth programs and  
international development work, as a tool for environmental  
sustainability and social justice. BNB is co-sponsoring the Roll  
Against Coal.
--> Salem Alliance for the Environment and Healthlink  are Salem  
environmental organizations that have been campaigning to shut down  
this plant, and will be organizing the rally to be joined by the Roll  
Against Coal.
--> You!  You can join the ride or rally to help Massachusetts take  
the next step towards clean energy!


THE RIDE
On October 13th at 9:30 am, activists will meet at Seven Hills Park  
(behind Davis Square Station in Somerville). A light breakfast will  
be provided, cyclists will be briefed by campaigners and bike rally  
leaders, and at 10:00 am will begin riding towards Salem. Along the  
way, cyclists will stop at designated rest stops to maintain group  
formation, and meet with press. At 1:00 the cyclists will meet with  
local Salem activists for a rally in Salem Square. After the rally  
cyclists will return to Boston via the ferry and commuter rail (bikes  
are allowed on both).

Each cyclist is responsible for his/her bike, and is required to wear  
a helmet. Each cyclist should also bring snacks and water. Greenpeace  
will provide "Quit Coal" campaign t-shirts, flags to attach to bikes,  
and light snacks/water. Greenpeace has also designed a banner reading  
"Roll Against Coal" that will be displayed at the Salem Rally.  
Greenpeace will ensure that there is a mechanic, bike rally leader,  
and safety car to provide support to the cyclists.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED!
If you have experience riding in a group, either in Bikes Not Bombs  
teaching programs or otherwise, let us know. We're looking to sign up  
experienced riders to lead and marshal the group.

CONTACT
Arik Grier - arik at bikesnotbombs.org - 617-522-0222 x100

David Lands - dlands at greenpeace.org

Elsa Sebastian - elsa_sebastian at hotmail.com - 907-738-8879



-------------
Arik Grier
Outreach Coordinator, Office Manager
Bikes Not Bombs
www.bikesnotbombs.org
617-522-0222 x100

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