Swinging into political action in Utah
About 150 people are gathered in front of the Utah State Capital Building, swinging into action for climate change. 350.org and several other organizations are represented as the Utah Lindy Exchange plays swing music and dances with other people who are concerned about the climate change crisis.
“We only have one earth. We only have one chance to protect it,” says Sara Ma, West High School student and one of the teen organizers of the demonstration.
Utah Lindy Exchange began by teaching some lindy steps. Then they led people in a line dance called the Shim Sham Shimmy. About 50 people danced in front of the capitol building led by Jill Sundberg of the Utah Lindy Exchange.
Miss USA Utah Jamie Lynn Crandall hoped that people will recognize that there are those who are worried about climate change.
During this day about 180 countries are involved in climate change demonstrations, but the United States was under represented according to Ryan Pleune, one of the organizers.
“If I wait until I’m old enough to actually have my voice heard, it’ll be too late,” says Sierra Adler, West High School student and teen organizer.
The Swing into Action event continued to the City and County Building in Washington Square.
Pleune praised local government actions like the Idle Free campaign, the Clear the Air Challenge and the expanding of bike lanes.
“As you take small steps, they start to exponentially grow,” said Pleune.
To demonstrate the exponential growth, Jill Sundberg of the Utah Lindy Exchange started a snowball dance. One couple began the dance. When Sundberg said, “Snowball,” that couple split and grabbed two other people. As the dance went on the number of dancers grew exponentially.
Kevin Uno, one of the petitioners on the original petition that began this movement in Utah asked the crowd what they were going to do to address climate change.
“Ask your government to take action and address climate change,” said Uno. “I’m doing this because I’m the father of a five-month-old son. I’m a scientist, and I care about Utah.”
After a birthday dance featuring Pleune, the group continued to the Main Library singing songs. They met up with the dove of peace which flew to the top of the library stairs at the Imagine Peacefest.
This article was originally published at examiner.com. Links updated Jan. 2017.
“We only have one earth. We only have one chance to protect it,” says Sara Ma, West High School student and one of the teen organizers of the demonstration.
Utah Lindy Exchange began by teaching some lindy steps. Then they led people in a line dance called the Shim Sham Shimmy. About 50 people danced in front of the capitol building led by Jill Sundberg of the Utah Lindy Exchange.
Miss USA Utah Jamie Lynn Crandall hoped that people will recognize that there are those who are worried about climate change.
During this day about 180 countries are involved in climate change demonstrations, but the United States was under represented according to Ryan Pleune, one of the organizers.
“If I wait until I’m old enough to actually have my voice heard, it’ll be too late,” says Sierra Adler, West High School student and teen organizer.
The Swing into Action event continued to the City and County Building in Washington Square.
Pleune praised local government actions like the Idle Free campaign, the Clear the Air Challenge and the expanding of bike lanes.
“As you take small steps, they start to exponentially grow,” said Pleune.
To demonstrate the exponential growth, Jill Sundberg of the Utah Lindy Exchange started a snowball dance. One couple began the dance. When Sundberg said, “Snowball,” that couple split and grabbed two other people. As the dance went on the number of dancers grew exponentially.
Kevin Uno, one of the petitioners on the original petition that began this movement in Utah asked the crowd what they were going to do to address climate change.
“Ask your government to take action and address climate change,” said Uno. “I’m doing this because I’m the father of a five-month-old son. I’m a scientist, and I care about Utah.”
After a birthday dance featuring Pleune, the group continued to the Main Library singing songs. They met up with the dove of peace which flew to the top of the library stairs at the Imagine Peacefest.
This article was originally published at examiner.com. Links updated Jan. 2017.