Throughout the Senate confirmations for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks, they’ve been interrupted by climate change protesters planted in and outside the hearing rooms. This is part of a coordinated campaign being spearheaded by the activist group 350.org, which is led by environmental extremist Bill McKibben. They also have a timeline of activist activities planned during and after the hearings.
According to its website, 350.org has a list of operations where they plan to interrupt and delay the hearings because Trump didn’t win the popular vote, but won the electoral vote.
Contrary to the rants on 350.org, every president in U.S. history has been elected by the electoral college and not by the popular vote. It just so happens that most of the time the popular vote and electoral vote line up together.
Enviros Wear Dinosaur Outfits At Tillerson Confirmation Hearing Protests https://t.co/HapERLGYC3 pic.twitter.com/V6S0j6Wfrf
— The Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 11, 2017
Cabinet pics
They also think that Trump’s cabinet picks are dangerous and are attacks on civil liberties, religious beliefs, and tolerance. Egging on their followers with unsubstantiated statements that Trump’s “cronies’ plan to attack social services, give tax cuts for the super-wealthy, and pursue dangerous foreign policies, it’s unsurprising they are being interrupted by people wearing Klu Klux Klan outfits and Dinosaur costumes.
Protests should be conducted outside, so the hearings are not interrupted. This type of protest in those costumes... https://t.co/D1vAQlZaEI
— Rodney Cavalier (@RodneyCavalier) January 10, 2017
It also has a schedule of protests, with January 11 listed as planning “something big” for ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson’s hearing. Throughout Jeff Session and Tillerson’s hearing, protestors stood up and shouted “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Rex Tillerson has got to go” and screaming “do the right thing.” And the right thing to do, 350.org argues, would be rejecting six of his nominees for ostensibly denying global warming.
Our foreign policy & future can't be in the hands of a Big Oil exec. like Rex Tillerson. We're at the Senate urging Senators to #RejectRex pic.twitter.com/rhC55VCkDy
— 350 dot org (@350) January 11, 2017
Climate denial cabinet
Four of his picks are listed as particularly dangerous: Rex Tillerson, CEO of Exxon, for Secretary of State; Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator; former Gov.
Rick Perry for Secretary of Energy; and Rep. Ryan Zinke for Department of Interior. They believe that anyone who denies the climate is changing should never be in the White House cabinet. Here’s what Tillerson said about climate change:
Tillerson: ‘The Risk Of Climate Change Does Exist’ https://t.co/oXCBHjXs5f pic.twitter.com/Yn5n6dFp6T
— The Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 11, 2017
350.org encourages people to show up in person to tell their Senators to fight “Trump’s climate denial cabinet.” They want people to have in-person conversations with their Senators’ staff to let them know they do not accept Trump’s “dangerous nominations.” They also have a manual you can download to make your visit even more successful.
It even includes a “debriefing” section when you’re finished.
Climate solidarity
350.org and other groups plan to flood Capitol Hill this and next week with actions “targeting key Senators” who play larger roles in the hearings. They warn there will be “more actions across the country and a flood of messages to the Senate to stop Trump’s picks this week as well.” They are also planning a climate protest on January 20 and 21 where they will link arms in climate solidarity.
So far the National Parks Service has not issued 'space' permits near the Inauguration Day ceremony over safety concerns.
