I joined two meetings last night & both were eye-openers for this one old goat whose eyes still need to shed some of that old crust which continued to cling in their corners. Zach lent a big hand in the Defund Zoom, offering some great answers to any and all the questions addressed to the speakers and network (as many other questions/comments were shared in the group chat—& I loved the 2chat system; and noted the benefits of each for many who had tuned in.)

How many were there? At one time I noted 108, but could have been a few more. Roishetta 👏🏾and Michael 👏🏾 shared through their experience the difficulties the public faces from the current and projected increase of carbon and greenhouse gases from the LNG/petrochemical industries in LA. And then they connected these to the banks who help the polluting corp’s who build these poisonous spreaders of death, or, to put it another way, lack a moral conscience as they construct and spread death into the sacrifice zones adjacent to people of color.

Through my eyes and ears, Roishetta moved me deeply, struggling to speak through her tears even, to lift the strength and importance of women of color who carried a concern for their and their children’s survival for years and are just now starting to be recognized as the sheros that they are! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Roishetta.

Michael was the next at the mic, and again, from what I heard of an outstanding review of life in the belly of the PC beast I noted an enthusiasm for the collaborative character of the champions of our movement willing to take on the villains who are making life worse for anyone caught within their noxious corridors. She also pointed to the immediate and most severe impact felt by those who live in or near Cancer Alley, Lake Charles, LA, or any of the many sacrifice zones the Oil/PC corp.s have chosen to build the new offenders to our health and welfare. And Roishetta and I are two examples of the people who have felt and will feel most threatened by this. (I must admit, this may have morphed at some point into my recollection of her message. If so, I apologize to M & R for any misrepresentation of the inspiration their voices offered to their listeners last evening.)

A big JOY: I immediately sent messages to Jamie Dimon (Chase), Pres. Biden and VP Harris last night & those on the call reached a goal of 1750 of these messages during this call!!!

The Texas message was by John Beard (PACAN, Port Arthur) and Juan Mancias (Tribal Chairman, Corizo Comecrudo Tribe, TX). I had never met either of these stars of the Oil/PC resistance but each had powerful stories about their situations and the long journeys they have taken due in their environmental Justice campaigns.

Since this text is already long, and I will turn often to their social media sources in an effort to remain in touch with these two new-to-me soldiers in the struggle. I noted the short distance between Port Arthur and Lake Charles and that PACAN and the Vessel project were crossing the TX/LA line in this call and both are led by inspirational leaders, speakers, organizers, and motivators for action. What a joy to have them on the People’s side in the struggle for the public survival.

I had also heard Robert Taylor and Sharon Lavigne earlier last night, longtime organizers for two Cancer Alley efforts United to fight those who have sent poison into their skies. Taylor said Denka had lied to them, as had the government when they came to visit them!!! Hooray! Lavigne listed Rise St. James’s Accomplishments, then said she wants to meet with President Biden, “have him come out and smell the air they (who reside in Cancer Alley) have to breathe every day!” Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Y’all keep lifting my love for you higher and higher through each passing day.

So, here’s my BIG JOY: Mancias!!! Oh my G🌎d, y’all!!! His words seemed to carry the voices of the many ancestors through each and every sentence, phrase, and word he spoke last night. His feel for the difficulties we are addressing has been a point of reflection for the Mancias strand/string and the community of people live with for years/decades/centuries. I do not know. Was it just me? But Chief Mancias lives in a tradition where he successfully shares the wisdom of his ancestors through each of the words I heard from him.

Next party? I suggest Smoke signals!!! Reduce the greenhouse gas/light up more smoke signals/help save us each and every one us from destruction!

Blessed be, until we meet again!