Happy New Year everyone!
In the spirit of new starts and resolutions, we are excited to announce a name change for our campaign: Divest Appalachian. Since our group’s inception in 2013, we have used Fossil Free App State to publicly identify ourselves as a campaign determined to win fossil fuel divestment at Appalachian State University. Over the last year, however, we have done a lot of growing, participated in many trainings, changed leadership, strengthened our political analysis, and have become even more dedicated than ever to build power as students to make this change a reality. We intend to move into this new year, new semester, and new political climate with a name that we hope folks will come to associate with the bold and inclusive actions Divest Appalachian will be taking this semester to divest App State’s holdings from the fossil fuel industry and reinvest in a Just Transition towards renewable energy and an economy that works for all people. Join us in our first action of the semester on January 23rd as we Resist and Reject Trump's climate denial and call on App State to do the same by divesting! About the action: As we get closer to the start of a new semester, the political climate around us has many people feeling fearful and hopeless, and for good reason. Just this year in North Carolina alone, we’ve seen the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline, the devastation of Hurricane Matthews, a horrendous drought with corresponding forest fires, the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, House Bill 2, McRory’s power grab, and a newly elected Republican NC House and Senate. There is so much at stake for the people of color, women, youth, queer, trans, undocumented, low-income, and religious minorities of North Carolina, the South, and this country. With just 9 days until Donald Trump is inaugurated as President, we are also faced with a presidential cabinet overflowing with industry conflict of interest, ruthless businessmen bigotry, xenophobia, Islamophobia, transphobia, white supremacy climate denial, and patriarchal figureheads. This crisis, friends, is about survival. So what is it that we can do as students, faculty, and community members can do? There are many actions to take, of course. But one thing is clear to our campaign: no longer can we stand for Appalachian State University (just ranked #1 for sustainability by AASHE) to profit of holdings in the an extractive industry that exploits both people and the planet, contributing to many modes of environmental racism and injustice. We call on you, students, faculty, and community members, to join Divest Appalachian in a National Day of Action for fossil fuel divestment on January 23rd. Let’s show the administration that we Resist and Reject Trump’s climate denial, and demand that they do the same! We will be walking out of our classes at 11 am on January 23rd to demonstrate the moral leadership we desperately need. We hope you will join us. Look out for student blog posts about why they are choosing to take action on January 23rd! We also want to plug an event taking place later in the day from 4-6 pm: The Peaceful People’s Parade! As part of the NC Statewide Day of Action for Climate Justice and a national movement of grassroots organizing to hold those in power accountable to protect our planet, communities, and people, the Parade calls on everyone to come together to harness our collective power in celebration of love, art, strength, and community! RSVP at their Facebook event to see more details. Come to the walkout, and then join the parade a little later to make the whole day one of bold action!
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AuthorA committed group of students calling on our university to divest from the fossil fuel industry and invest in the futures of us all. Archives
April 2017
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