Join us for Pagan Expo 2016!

An afternoon of spring celebration with the NYC Pagan community! Expo is to include Vendors, Tarot/Psychic readers, Spring Ritual, raffle, bake sale, and fellowship. All proceeds benefit the Pagan Environmental Coalition of NYC. All ages event! 
$5 donation requested at door for fundraising.

Facebook Event Page

To get involved with the Pagan Environmental Coalition, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394153969415/

Gas Pipeline Proposed Near Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant

Hey, NY-NJ residents, did you know there’s a 30"-diameter high-pressure natural gas pipeline running under Jersey City, our waterways, and Manhattan? Despite multiple community rallies against it, Spectra Energy was given permission to build this pipeline which was completed in 2014. You can read about it in this HuffPost article from May 3, 2013: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/03/spectra-pipeline-fracking-new-york-city-activists_n_3209242.html

Of course, Spectra assures everyone that this pipeline is perfectly safe, but the company’s safety record is far from spotless, and their assurances came before the March 2014 explosion in Harlem where an 8" gas main leveled two buildings and killed 8 people (http://saneenergyproject.org/infrastructure-invasion/operational-projects/spectra-pipeline-nj-ny-expansion/). The potential devastation from the rupture of a pipe more than 3 times that diameter is terrifying. As the Sane Energy Project puts it:
“Should the pipeline or vault explode on the Manhattan side of the Hudson, the potential fire radius would encompass three historic districts, including: 10 irreplaceable Landmarked buildings; 10 schools or daycare centers; 8 playgrounds, including a large playground on the pier directly adjacent to the Sanitation Pier (the entry point of the pipeline); 13 churches or religious institutions; more than 28 art and cultural centers (including the Ground Zero Museum Workshop); the Hudson River Greenway, shoreline and West Side Highway; more than 38 restaurants; countless boutiques, hotels, businesses and residences.”

Unfortunately, Spectra Energy has received clearance from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a pipeline further upstate near Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant! How can anybody think that putting miles of potentially explosive pipeline near a nuclear reactor (and near a seismic fault) is a good idea? Apparently, Spectra thinks it’s fine. Known as the Algonquin Incremental Marketing Project, or AIM for short, the project includes a 42" high-pressure line and a new compressor station built within the Indian Point site boundary. The company hopes to have it completed and in-service in November 2016. The Westchester County Board of Legislators had meetings in late May 2014 to discuss the pros and cons of having this pipeline built in their county, and expressed their worries about it being so close to Indian Point, and public comments were received until early 2015.
http://www.spectraenergy.com/Operations/New-Projects-and-Our-Process/New-Projects-in-US/Algonquin-Incremental-Market-AIM-Project/

However, just because FERC has given their approval and Spectra has apparently started work on AIM doesn’t mean the project MUST be completed. We have the ability to change this situation and keep this dangerous pipeline from being built. Get the word out about this and help create an outcry that will stop this madness! Notify governmental representatives of your concerns, and keep the pressure on the legislators to do the right thing.

For more information on how to take action, please visit: http://sape2016.org/

Moving forward against the Port Ambrose Project......

Update!

PEC-NYC is still actively working on getting a ban on the Port Ambrose LNG project. 

We could use your help!

We have already submitted 250 signed postcards urging Cuomo to veto this project, and thanks to the funds raised at the Pagan Expo, we were able to print and purchase postage for another 250! Now, we just need your help in getting them signed and delivered to the Governor?

Do you have a group in New York State?

Do you own a store in New York State?

Do you attend gatherings, rallies, or other events at which you could gather signatures on these post cards?

If so, let us know! Email us and we'll send you a batch. They're already pre-stamped so once they're signed, they can go right into the mailbox and will be sent directly to the Governor!

Let's get this thing banned. It's great that fracking has been banned in New York State, but now let's prevent our coastline from being the launchpad to send the fracked gas abroad. 

Photos from the Pagan Expo

Thank you to all who attended our first Pagan Expo--the largest fundraiser the PEC-NYC has held, to date! We raised over $1,000 to fund our efforts over the next few months. We would like to thank all of the vendors, groups, attendees, the volunteers, and the staff at the Gay Center. It was a fantastic success! Thank you to organizer Gary Suto for spearheading this endeavor and supplying these beautiful shots!

NYC Pagan Expo! A fundraiser for the Pagan Environmental Coalition

Sunday, April 19
2:00-6:00 p.m.
The Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Center of NYC
208 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011

An afternoon of spring celebration with the NYC Pagan community! Expo is to include Vendors, Tarot/Psychic readers, Spring Ritual, new Pagan Chant competition, raffle, and fellowship. All proceeds benefit the Pagan Environmental Coalition of NYC. All ages event! 
$5 donation requested at door for fundraising.

Shaping Our Message

With the impending decision on the Port Ambrose Project breathing down the necks of NJ and NY residents, PEC-NYC came together on a bitterly cold January night to focus on shaping messages for press encounters. The session was led by Macky Alston of Auburn Theological Seminary, an institution whose mission focuses on equipping faith leaders for social justice work. It was a phenomenal experience for all!

The media training focused on several key points in building an effective media message: Defining core message, developing personal story, and illustrating key points that keep listeners and viewers engaged while also connecting it back to the core message. We also practiced how to answer tough questions and even the obnoxious questions often posed to public Pagans ("Do you worship Satan?" "Are you a Witch or a Warlock?").

The evening concluded with cake, of course! We all left in a glow, knowing our work was ever stronger. Taking time to hone message from a faith-rooted perspective is essential to getting the Good Work completed. We'd like to offer a special thank you to Macky for being with us! We feel so much more prepared to face reporters' microphones at rallies! 

P.s. have you seen our new donate button? It's live, in the upper-right corner! Help us continue to do the work that we do! 

PHENOMENAL WORK, PHENOMENAL NEWS!

It has been an extremely exciting week for PEC-NYC! Between submitting hundreds of Pagan signatures to Governor Cuomo in support of wind power to the announcement of a state-wide ban on fracking, we are ecstatic! Today, we celebrate but tomorrow, we go back to work. There are pipelines to fight, an LNG port to stop, and a wind farm to build. We would like to thank all who signed, marched, rallied, and all who donated money, goods, and time to these causes. We look forward to further solidarity. We are far from finished.

PEC-NYC THANKS YOU!!!! 

On Tuesday, December 16th, the Pagan Environmental Coalition delivered hundreds of Pagan signatures gathered at Sabbats, festivals, Circles, and other events in support of off-shore wind and in opposition to LNG port construction to Richard Kaufman at NYSERDA--the so-called "Energy Czar" to Governor Cuomo.  The transcript of the petition can be found, here. 

Arriving at NYSERDA

Packet containing hundreds of pro-wind Pagan signatures

PEC-NYC signs in at NYSERDA office

PEC-NYC leaves a message for Mr. Kaufman...along with a tome of Pagan signatures

Again, thank you to all who contributed to BOTH of these incredible successes! Don't worry....we'll be around. There is SO much work left to do!  

PEC-NYC tells Governor Cuomo personally: "DON'T FRACK NEW YORK!"

Governor Cuomo paid a rare visit to NYC last night to promote his new book: "All Things Possible: Setbacks and Success in Politics and Life."

Governor Cuomo speaking to a fracktivist at his book signing at Barnes & Noble in Union Square

And of course, PEC-NYC was there:

Hi!!! 

Anti-fracking protestors outside the Barnes & Noble

PEC-NYC had the option of attending an anti-fracking rally outside the store or purchasing books and waiting in line for a moment of conversation with the governor. We opted for the latter as we attend many rallies, but get few opportunities to speak to Governor Cuomo, directly. We waited in line for two hours, each clutching a 300-page tome. We had a plan.




We would respectfully tell the Governor:
* We oppose hydraulic fracturing in New York State.
* We are concerned for the health of our citizens.
* We are concerned about water quality.
* We are concerned about the agricultural and farming industry.
* Several of us have recently returned from Pennsylvania where we saw the effects of Fracking, first-hand.

We each developed a personal message to accompany it. Then, we slapped on our anti-fracking stickers on our shirts and coats and got in line.  We realized we weren't alone:

A fellow fracktivist hoped the Governor decorated the signature page of her copy of his book.

Aarron took a cue from our new friend:

PEC-NYC organizer Aarron Ricks

A few of us asked to have our books dedicated to, "A Frack-Free New York." This did not go over well. Neither did the decorated copies of the books. Before they even got to Governor Cuomo, the aides tossed aside any books with anti-fracking rhetoric and gave the Governor a "clean copy" to sign.

Aarron did not get the book-signature he sought.

The Governor listened to each of us share why we did not want fracking in New York State. He said to each of us, "(Your concerns) are why we don't have fracking, here." However, he was referring to the current moratorium on fracking, which could be lifted. We seek a ban. We told him so.

Will he listen? We don't know. But as organizer PEC-NYC Blue pointed out, "Though his crew was displeased, we used his book signing to speak our minds. These constituents' voices were heard!"

Governor Cuomo is notorious for keeping his appearances quiet ahead of time--mostly to avoid anti-fracking protests. We know it wasn't his favorite experience to hear from fracktivists during a quiet, promotional event. But fracking isn't just going away....neither are we until we achieve a state-wide ban.

We even got some press!

PEC-NYC in the New York Times

PEC-NYC in Capitol New York

If you would like to hear about more actions, please email us with the subject line: New York Meetings 

Thank you for reading! Have a blessed day! 

THANK YOU FROM PEC-NYC!

A belated THANK YOU to all who donated to our Indigogo campaign! With the money we raised, we were able to feed over 100 marchers, supply reusable (and BPA-free!) water bottles, snacks and supplies, and best of all...travel for 7 Pagan marchers from out of town!!!

We would like to thank:

Monique Catherine Argento
Shannon Fleischman
James Graber
Jennifer Haines
Christine Kraemer
Bernadette Montana
Nanci Moy
David Shi
And all anonymous donors!!!

We even had a little cash left over which will be used to fund the travel of PEC-NYC members and friends to Washington, D.C. on Monday, November 3rd to speak out against FERC's "rubber-stamp" policy of approving LNG ports. We want FERC to know we will not stand for LNG ports in our region, such as the proposed Port Ambrose project. If you are interested in a day-trip to D.C., please see the information and contact us directly. At the moment, we can sponsor two people to travel to D.C. from NYC.

Why march? What IS a march going to DO?

A note from an organizer for the People's Climate March....

September was the wrong month to give up coffee.

My Lughnasadh promise, in honor of the Earth's sacrifice of the harvest, was to stop drinking my coveted brew. Deforestation for coffee farms, delivery planes and trucks, packaging, to-go cups...it has to go. My timing could not have been worse. Over the last few weeks, all energy--natural and caffeinated--has been funneled directly into the Climate March. 

THIS THING IS HUGE!!! IS IT EVEN WORTH IT???

Not long ago, I was tagged with this editorial by Chris Hedges. The article is good, and important. It raises critical questions about the Climate March but also criticizes it for being too little, too late, and a huge waste of effort. Truly...what is a march of a million people in NYC really going to do to impact climate change?

Nothing...unless we make it count for something. 

What IS it for?
The climate is in crisis. World leaders need to make addressing this crisis their top priority. It is timed with the UN Summit on the Climate Crisis. This peaceful, legal March will demonstrate just how many people will be impacted by the effects of climate change--and how they will be impacted.

It's not a solution. It's a magnet for solutions.
The March may be the starring attraction, but the days surrounding it are packed with hundreds of teach-ins, lectures, and networking events. PEC-NYC has made connections with people from upstate NY all the way to Canada, with the aim of sharing tactics to address environmental problems. We may be brought together by the March, but it's really an opportunity to work together and learn from one another. We're burning a ton of carbon just making this March happen. We have a responsibility to make it count for something.
  
Fighting the "Blahs." Recently, I invited a fellow Witch group to attend a PEC-NYC function designed to raise awareness of a potential LNG port. Their leader replied, "Activism bores me...but your event sounds fun!" Activism can be boring. Other people feel the climate problem is too depressing or big to fight. Many simply don't know where to start. Fun brings people in and the PCM is becoming more like a festival than a traditional demonstration. People may show up for a good time, but will leave with practical ways to address the problems in their area. Rarely do people attend these things and then vanish. Most find their way into helping another issue. They find the tools to address the things that break their hearts, often through a method that brings them joy. 

Will the UN even notice? 
Sept 21 is a Sunday and the UN won't even be in session. The March route isn't anywhere near the UN. Will they even know we're there??? The answer is YES. Although it won't yet be in session, many delegates will already be in town and many are involved in the March, themselves. While the route doesn't pass the UN, it does go through midtown along 42nd Street. The NYPD never permits marches on 42nd...except this time!  Have you ever been in Manhattan when midtown is shut down???? Lives are ruined thoroughly disrupted...far more so than shutting down the East Side, where the UN resides. The city will feel it. Plus, we'll be marching directly past Fox News. Think about that when you're making your signs this week... 

Photo by Beth Kemler

Photos tell a story. Stories get attention. 
A million people marching will send a message. The picture on the left is from a march I attended in this past summer in DC, calling for a stop to the construction of the Cove Point liquified natural gas export station. It's not a project I've worked on directly, but I've worked on stopping the construction of a similar LNG port up here in NYC. This picture tells a story: thousands of people took the time to speak out against Cove Point LNG's construction. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT IT. For every person who did march, there are at least ten more at home unable to attend, but who stand in agreement. Photos of the Climate March will be everywhere. Even if members the UN doesn't see it on 9/21, they are sure to see images for weeks and years to come.

Infiltrators, instigators, interlopers....
People are rightfully upset that some groups with ties to natural gas or other industries contributing to climate change are squirming their way into the march, claiming to be fossil fuel alternatives when they most certainly are not. Unfortunately, this is the reality of activism. You know you're doing something right when opposition tries to subversively thwart you. It's a compliment in a weird way. It's also an opportunity to practice staying loyal to truth and not being swayed.

If we take this as an opportunity to build a movement that begins on Sept. 22, then it is worth the while. If we stop our movement on 11th Avenue, we will have failed.Every movement attracts the labels, "Too much" or "Too little"; "Not time" or "Past Due." Every time I've ever focused on an action, I've been asked if "it wouldn't be a better use of my time to direct all that energy into something else. Maybe this should have happened years ago, but it didn't. Maybe this should happen while the UN is in official session, but it's not. It's happening one week from today. We can should ourselves into oblivion, or we can either make this an opportunity to build a true, global movement. I'm routing for the latter and I hope you are, too.

We don't know if it's too late to stop climate change or even if we can minimize the effects of it. But we can't skip the opportunity to try. Human beings are fighters. We've survived as a species because we take risks, we fail, we fail again, only to get up and try once more.

If you'd like to join us, please sign up or follow our hub.

Let's do this thing. 

Courtney Weber
HPS, Novices of the Old Ways--NY
Organizer, Pagan Environmental Coalition of NYC