Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards will speak at New Orleans' Step It Up event Nov. 3 as part of a nationwide rally to address climate change. Edwards confirmed his attendance Tuesday. City council member Shelly Midura, Aaron Viles of the Gulf Coast Restoration Network and John Atekinson of the Alliance of Affordable Energy will also appear at the event. Tulane senior Lauren Sher and junior Abbie Kamin organized the rally.
"As an organizer, it's great to get presidential candidates like Edwards to come," Kamin said. "It's more powerful to have leaders address the issue because that's the theme of the rally. There's still a lot to do, but it's great that they're starting to step it up."
The upcoming Nov. 3 event builds on Step It Up's April 14 rally on more than 1,400 sites in 50 states, which was the largest global warming awareness event in U.S. history. Nationwide, 17 presidential candidates were invited to speak at rallies. Sen. John McCain and Rep. Dennis Kucinich accepted invitations to speak in other cities.
"A representative for Edwards contacted Step It Up's national headquarters," Sher said. "He was going to be in town that day, so he volunteered to speak."
The New Orleans rally is ideal for hosting a presidential candidate, Kamin said.
"We're one of the first cities to ever really experience the effects of climate change," she said.
One of Step It Up's national goals is to implement its "1 Sky priorities," a ban on new coal plants, to reach an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 and to create five million new green jobs.
"Americans are demanding real solutions that will reduce carbon emissions and stop global warming before it is too late," Step It Up national co-coordinator Jamie Henn said. "Many events will occur in historic places such as the Lincoln Memorial or Paul Revere's route to symbolize the need for politicians to provide leadership on global warming."
Edwards' New Orleans appearance is in line with the organization's primary goal - to get leaders to take action in the fight against global warming.
"Nov. 3 represents a new move toward political accountability," author and Step It Up spokesperson Bill McKibben said. "So far it's been enough for politicians to say 'I care.' Now, one year out from a pivotal global warming election, it's time to see who's going to lead."
Besides Edwards' keynote speech and addresses from the other speakers, the New Orleans event will include entertainment by the Hot 8 Brass Band and the Camel Toe Steppers. The rally will begin at 2 p.m. at Art2Egg on South Broad Street and continue with a second-line parade to the Superdome. The Alliance for Affordable Energy, the Sierra Club, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade and the Gulf Restoration Network are sponsoring the event. For more information, see the organization's Web site at www.stepitup2007.org.
2008 Woodie Awards
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
framecop
posted 10/20/07 @ 8:20 AM CST
Whoever picked that old picture of John Edwards is a fool.
I take it you will also post pictures of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama from YEARS AGO whenever you do a story on them, you fool. (Continued…)
Marsha H
posted 10/20/07 @ 2:05 PM CST
Agree with framecop. I stood four feet away from this good man for thirty minutes at an event in July. He's still handsome at 54, but he has the wrinkles and worry lines of a mature and seasoned man. (Continued…)
Yannick Phillips
posted 10/24/07 @ 8:15 PM CST
thanks for reporting, but could you not find a more recent photo? Come on! There are plenty out there. I expect to see a photo of the other candidates of 5-10 years ago. (Continued…)
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