Logistics

What you need to know

Thousands of people are coming from all over the country to participate in the Capitol Climate Action. You should familiarize yourself with the Action Guidelines before the event. You can also print out and keep a copy of the CCA Handbook (right-click to download the PDF). The handbook contains the Action Guidelines, a schedule of events, quick media talking points, and lots more useful information.

We are encouraging all participants in the CCA to attend a non-violence training and action briefing. These are happening all over the country, including all weekend before the event. We will have a Convergence/Organizing Center in DC open all weekend for trainings and orientations - located at The Warehouse Theater, 1021 7th St NW WDC 20001 (view map).

We regret that we are  unable to coordinate transportation and housing. If you can get yourself to Washington DC, make sure you RSVP. We’ll be sending regular email updates about the action, so it’s important that you RSVP to stay in the loop about the action.

Text Communications

We’ll also be operating an SMS/cell phone text message loop the weekend before the action to keep everyone plugged in! Just send a text from your cell phone to: 40404 with the message: “follow capitolclimate” (without quotes).

Action details

The initial rally for the Capitol Climate Action will meet on March 2nd at 1:00pm in Spirit of Justice Park (C St. SW and Capitol St SE, two blocks west of Capitol South Metro — view map). We’ll be staging at Spirit of Justice Park for a brief rally, then moving towards the Capitol Power Plant facility. We expect thousands of people to participate, with large numbers risking arrest in a peaceful act of civil disobedience. Many more will choose not to engage in civil disobedience, and will be part of the overall event and rally.

What Do I Need to Bring?

We want to ensure a safe space for everyone, and ask all participants to maintain civility and respect for the diverse issues and communities that are a part of this action, and to follow the Action Guidelines. Please make sure you bring a government-issued ID - a driver’s license or passport.  We also suggest bringing $50 - $100 -  which is the typical amount DC police usually charge for activist-related civil disobedience to release activists from jail and dismiss their criminal charges.  Nothing promised - but, often for many activists, bringing the money speeds up release time and resolves criminal charges.

And in the spirit of the Civil Rights movement, we’re also asking people to help confound our detractors by dressing to impress. It’s also going to be cold (possible snow in the forecast), so first and foremost - dress to stay warm and healthy.

There is some parking nearby in paid lots, but taking Metro to the Capitol South stop will be easiest. We will have greeters directing people from Metro all morning.

Related events

Feb 26th - March 1 — Global Exchange is organizing folks to travel to Washington D.C. by train. The trip will begin in Emeryville, California but you can join them anywhere along the line. They will be passing through Sacramento, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; Denver, CO; Kansas City, KS; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; and Pittsburgh, PA. Learn more here.

Feb 27th - March 2nd — Energy Action Coalition will host Power Shift 2009, bringing 10,000 young people to Washington DC to hold our elected officials accountable for rebuilding our economy and reclaiming out future through bold climate and clean energy policy. While separate events, many participants from the Capitol Climate Action will be attending Power Shift, and many participants (and organizations!) organizing Power Shift are supporting the Capitol Climate Action. The CCA will also have information and trainings available at Power Shift!

March 1st — Chesapeake Climate Action Network will be hosting a speaking event with Bill McKibben, Wendell Berry, and Gus Speth - all participants in the Capitol Climate Action! Tickets for this are going fast! Get more info and buy tickets here.

March 2nd — Power Shift lobby day on Capitol Hill. Folks can attend both events, they are in close proximity.

Also on March 2nd, the Capitol Climate Action will be preceded by a Prayer Vigil. People of all faiths are welcome to take advantage of this opportunity to offer prayers for the success of the action and to call upon their spiritual resources to ground them in this important work. The Prayer Vigil will occur at the staging area for the action, Spirit of Justice Park (C St. SW and Capitol St SE, two blocks west of Capitol South Metro — view map) from 12:30 to 1 pm. Click here for more information.

We are also planning a celebration after the action at The Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H St NE). Nearest Metro is Union Station, 1.5 miles away, but there is a shuttle provided by the Rock and Roll Hotel that picks up all around town. Stay tuned for more details!