It’s taken me a little bit to process the Tar Sands Action. Ok I’ve been busy. But I wanted to share my arrest story with fellow Power Shifters, especially leading up to the big October 7th action. We are still fighting.

I never thought I’d get arrested. I’m committed 100% to this cause and plan to work on these issues for the rest of my life. But I wasn’t convinced this was my role until the action began and I realized that this one felt different.

There is no shortage of rallies and actions at the White House here in DC. But when I went to the first day to support my boss (CCAN Executive Director Mike Tidwell) when he got arrested, I felt like I was a part of something bigger and more meaningful. 1,252 people were willing to risk arrest, to be uncomfortable, to pay $100, to try and stop this pipeline. That power felt real on the first day of the action. That’s why I found myself sitting on the hot pavement 2 days later, sun beating down on me, along with 52 other amazing people. I took a 20 minute bus ride that day, but others came all the way from Nebraska, Massachusetts, and Maryland. It was inspiring. I felt like I was part of a movement.

That’s how I became #15 on day 3.

Those arrests were just the beginning. If you are in the region and can come on October 7th I hope you join me- and become one of thousands standing strong and continuing the pressure. We’re not going away.