Submitted by Carlough Faulkner for “Mothers Out Front”
Concerned citizens who recognize the alarming implications of global climate change will bicycle from Bedford to Concord and join the Shout Heard ‘Round The World Rally, just as the original Bedford Minutemen answered the urgent call to action 240 years ago. The SHOUT Rally will be held at the Old North Bridge at 2 pm on Sunday, April 19.
Bedford residents are invited to muster on Bedford Common at 12:15 pm. Cyclists will depart at 12:30 and arrive at the North Bridge in plenty of time for the SHOUT festivities. The initial group of riders includes members of First Parish Unitarian Universalist in Bedford and organizers of a fledgling community group, Mothers Out Front (www.mothersoutfront.org) According to organizer Carlough Faulkner, It would be useful to have a head-count, so people interested in riding should send an email to [email protected].”
Groups of cyclists are expected from other sites connected with the start of the American Revolution. A group will leave Charlestown at 10 am (see map and schedule); walkers will leave Lexington at 8:30 am (see map and schedule), and others will gather at First Parish in Concord for a BYO picnic at 12:30 pm before an easy, mile-long procession by foot (or pedal) to North Bridge.
The SHOUT rally for climate action will feature drumming, singing and speakers including Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman, Rabbi-in-Residence Congregation Shirat Hayam of the North Shore; Rabbi & Educator at JCDS, Boston’s Jewish Community Day School; Rev. Polly Jenkins Man,UCC (retired);West Concord Union Church Environmental Stewardship Team and SHOUT! Leader; Rev. Fred Small, Unitarian Universalist minister of First Parish (Cambridge) and co-chair of Religious Witness for the Earth; Lama Willa Miller, PhD, founder and spiritual director of Natural Dharma Fellowship (Boston), visiting lecturer on Buddhist ministry at Harvard Divinity School; Vanessa Rule, Co-Founder and Organizing Director, Mothers Out Front; Kerry Brock, Better Future Project and Student-Organized Climate Action Network (SOCAN), Newton North HS; Critical Mass, West African drumming with Jimi and Morwen Two Feathers; and Anne Goodwin, Climate activist song leader.
Riders are encouraged to “colorfully and creatively” transport themselves to Concord. Some may dress in colonial costume, and many will have bright signs. The rally itself will take place against the backdrop of the Old North Bridge. Participants will take part in the Climate Ribbon Project, a public art ritual that acknowledges all that we stand to lose to climate chaos and to help us recommit to action on behalf of the Earth and its people.
About The SHOUT
Two hundred and forty years after Paul Revere’s famous ride, a group of “Modern-Day Minutemen” will be sounding the alarm on another threat to our nation and the world. Climate scientists are transmitting urgent news about an imminent threat — not just to our way of life in the United States, but to the survival of our civilization. By retracing the historic ride from Charlestown to Concord with ever increasing numbers of riders along the way, The SHOUT! seeks to increase awareness and action in response to the growing social justice issues our world now faces. More information about The SHOUT! can be found at www.shoutroc.org.
When the Minutemen of Lexington and Concord responded to a midnight alarm and catalyzed the struggle for a new nation, they became an indelible part of history. Where would our nation be if these patriots had ignored those early warnings and returned to bed?
The need for a revolution of sorts is once again at hand. The world’s climate scientists are transmitting urgent news about an imminent threat — not just to our way of life in the United States, but to the survival of our civilization. Will America heed the warnings? It was in 1965 that President Johnson told Congress that CO2 emissions had the potential to warm the planet dangerously — and we’ve been whacking the snooze button ever since.
If Paul Revere had faced an analogous situation in April 1775, he’d have to persuade “every Middlesex village and farm” not only that the British existed, but that King George’s army posed a danger to their lives and liberty. We are all grateful that Revere delivered the alarm, and to the patriots of Concord, Lexington, Bedford, and the surrounding area for taking it seriously enough to mobilize into action. What will future generations say of us?
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