CSP Coordinator Forest attended with a few others from the region in solidarity with the interconnected struggles of the pipeline resistance in Minnesota. The organizers estimated 5000 in attendance at the end rally and Forest estimates about 2000 marched, led by the First Nations. 
There was lots of chanting. “Rise up! Get down! There’s revolution in this town!”; “Hey! It’s hot in here! There’s too much carbon in the atmosphere!”; “Hey! Obama! We don’t want no pipeline drama! Hey! Barack! You talk the talk, now walk the walk!”; “Show me what Democracy looks like! This is what Democracy looks like!”; “We are unstoppable! Another world is possible!”, and many more.

Speakers were inspiring and things wrapped up with a great First Nations Hip-Hop act. The focus was on tar sands oil, but (especially in the speeches the first nations folks) the connections were made to not only to fracking and coal, but also racial discrimination, abuse of women, and all other exploitative, abusive relationships.

While the action did not feel particularly targeted, it was certainly an inspiring rally. A rousing of the rabble, a raising of energy around an important cause. A gathering and empowering of many disparate struggles of people from across the nation. Forest was glad to be there in solidarity and saw/networked with many folks he’d met before.

This is what Democracy looks like!