Mark your calendars! March 14th – the International Day of Action for Rivers, Water and Life – is less than a month away, and we want YOU to join in. Every year, on and around March 14, thousands of people around the world take action for the rivers of their lives.
The Day of Action for Rivers is not only a celebration of rivers but a day to demonstrate resistance to destructive river development, to educate others, a day to come together in solidarity. It is a day inspired by the global network that struggles against the dam industry's power-grab of the world's rivers.
Already, groups have started planning events to join us in celebrating this day. At the Chico River in the Philippines, the Talubin and Bayyo tribes and the organization Pine Tree will host a one-day event of cultural exchanges and discussions about the importance of the river and how it shapes peoples' lives and culture. Also in the Phillipines, activists and the Indigenous People's community will hold an event to push for recognition of an archeological site composed of stone formations as a historical landmark, as a proposed hydroelectric dam project would not only displace 2,280 families but destroy the stonehedge formation.
In Africa, the River Ethiope Trust Foundation will be holding a national press conference to mark the Day of Action for Rivers in Nigeria.
Here in Berkeley, California, International Rivers will be holding a special screening of films that celebrate rivers and shine a spotlight on the global movement to protect them. Find out more about our event, Lights, Camera, Action!
Other events include citizen's gatherings in Bangladesh, a book launching in Sri Lanka and demonstrations in Turkey. More details of these events, as well as many others, can be found at #drupal-id-3804. Keep checking back for event updates.
I urge you to join us, and the rest of the movement, in celebrating the International Day of Action for Rivers by participating in an event or planning an action of your own. Check our website for more information (#drupal-id-6066) and feel free to email me at dayofaction@internationalrivers.org. If you are planning an event, I would love to hear more about it!