The Benshi

So there I was on Sunday afternoon, having dropped my mother off at Dulles airport, taking a taxi back to my hotel in D.C., quietly reading a book in the back seat, suddenly realizing we were stuck in stand still traffic with the cab driver apologizing.  I looked up, annoyed, then suddenly had this enormous realization — we had driven right into the MIDDLE of the Tar Sands/Pipeline Protest!!!

I had just read the EXCELLENT article from Abe Streep in Outside magazine last week about Tim DeChristopher which ended by telling about how his followers would all be taking part in the big protest in D.C. on Nov. 6.  In a flash it hit me — THIS is the protest!

We drove for about 10 blocks right in front of the protesters who had formed a big circle around the White House.  I pulled out my iPhone and took these snapshots as we cruised along with the protesters chanting and singing.  It was the best thing I’ve seen since attending No Nukes day in D.C. in the spring of 1979!  And yes, I suppose I should have been out on the streets with them, but we can all only do so much.  I’m running a free communications workshop for L.A. environmental activists on Wednesday so that’s my good deed for the week that hopefully earns the me right to only be a cheerleader for this event.

It was truly inspiring, and kudos to Bill McKibben and friends for actually DOING stuff!

And by the way, EVERY protest needs a guy in pink with a lasso.