Shut It Down: Protestors Demand Obama Kill Keystone Pipeline

Thousands pack Washington’s National Mall to hold president to climate change pledge

Lip service? Not this time, Mr. President. Organizers of the “Forward on Climate” event in Washington on Sunday held President Barack Obama to his inaugural pledge to slow climate change. It turned out to be the biggest climate rally in U.S. history, organizers claim, with an estimated 35.000 people from 30 states. The protestors also called for Obama to reject the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline proposal, which environmentalists say will do nothing to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and could devastate minority communities through which the pipeline would be constructed. Proponents of the project say it would create jobs and push America toward independence from foreign oil. And it appears to be popular among the general public – a new Harris Interactive poll showed 69 percent of respondents support the pipeline, with only 17 percent opposing it. Still, Sunday’s protest was historic. Other organizing groups included the Hip-Hop Caucus. Celebrities Rosario Dawson and Evangeline Lilly also attended. (Reuters)

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