Mount Rushmore Protest

Greenpeace stirred up excitement in South Dakota today (July 8, 2009). The Greenpeace Actions Team deployed a 65 by 35 feet tall banner off the face of Mount Rushmore with a picture of President Obama on it. It states, "America Honors Leaders, Not Politicians. Stop Global Warming." Despite the dangerously windy conditions, the 12 climbers, successfully completed the action and was able to leave the banner up for an hour before it was taken down. This action was timed to go off just as the G-8 Summit in Italy began. The G-8 Summit is attended by eight of the most powerful leaders in the world, including the United States. As the world leaders are deciding what they will be doing about stopping runaway climate change, Greenpeace has demonstrated once again, the tenacity and resilience of the American people. We cannot stop short of making our voice heard loud and clear. Was this unnecessary? Considering that a mess of disagreements were abound at the G-8 Summit about what steps to take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it looks like Greenpeace was right on target.

The illegality of their actions are necessitated by the breaking of a higher moral law. This is one of Greenpeace's fundamental beliefs. And the higher moral law that is being compromised by the present state of affairs? The social and environmental implications of our fossil-fuel economy. I can definitely get on board with this. 

 

Will Obama be a leader and lead us to a sustainable future? Greenpeace's message is clear. Leader's belong on Mount Rushmore, and we need him to lead.

*Edit 7/9/2009: Greenpeace received a call from the Obama administration to discuss the global warming policy almost immediately after the action. This shows that the impact of an action like this should not be underestimated.