Written by Jordan Lenoir
This Friday at Pritchard Park from 12-2 pm, Karen Willie and the rest of Th!rd Act invites those passionate about climate change and the prevention of fossil fuels to a protest gathering to fight for a cleaner climate!
This week on Newshour with Patryk Battle, Karen Willie, the communications advisor of Th!rd Act, was brought on to speak on the purposes of this protest and what desired reality Th!rd Act is working toward in the Asheville community.
One of several missions at Th!rd Act is to gain the attention of banks that fund fossil fuels. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and Chase Bank were highlighted by Th!rd Act as major supporters of fossil fuels by putting a combined 15 billion dollars toward the use of them. To display their disapproval of these banks’ funding, Th!rd Act organized a march through Pritchard park and over to Wells Fargo (which is located across the street). Th!rd Act welcomes people of all ages to march, protest and enjoy the other entertainment aspects of this event which include: street theater, music, special speakers, and special guest Brass Your Heart, an Asheville music group.
Willie reminded listeners who might be attending this event to bring lots of water and dress appropriately for the weather. Willie added that Pritchard park is shaded with lots of trees, but event goers should still consider bringing umbrellas for shade.
Willie reveals that Th!rd Act’s goal with this protest is to redirect these banks’ funding toward “wind and solar alternative energies that are clean and do not put carbon dioxide into our atmosphere…” Willie also shares that these alternatives are “actually cheaper [in the long run] than using fossil fuels.” Th!rd Act has hope for smaller community solar energy to come into effect through their work.
Th!rd Act is a community of elders determined to turn around climate change and push toward more environmentally safe alternatives to fossil fuels. Th!rd Act was started by Bill McKibben through his spread of climate change awareness. Through his work and passion, citizens joined him in his journey of a better climate by starting Th!rd Act. Th!rd Act conducts several events including protests, campaigns, and volunteering throughout the different communities they are embedded in.
For more visit Th!rd Act