Benefit Concert to Help Stop Dakota Access and Pilgrim Pipelines

Over a Dozen Musicians to Perform Benefit Concert to Help Stop Dakota Access and Pilgrim Pipelines

Kingston, NY Over fifteen Hudson Valley musicians will play a benefit, “Concert for a Cause,” on Sunday, January 15, 2 – 5 PM, to raise money for Water Protectors working to stop fracked oil pipelines in North Dakota and in New York. All proceeds from the fundraiser, sponsored by and taking place at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills, 320 Sawkill Rd., Kingston, NY, will go to the Water Protectors resisting the Dakota Access Pipeline near Standing Rock, ND, and to the Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipelines-NY.

The concert will open with the “Sioux Honoring Song” performed by the Red Feather Singers from the Association of Native Americans of the Hudson Valley in fellowship with the Water Protectors at Oceti Sakowin Camp in North Dakota. Maggie Rothwell, a professional singer and guitarist, will emcee the event as well as perform. The Red Feather Singers will perform a wide range of original and traditional songs, many from the contemporary folk genre. Other performers, in alphabetical order, will include:

• Steve Beer

• Lannie Bolde

• James Burke

• Bill Buttner

• Ethan Campbell

• Nancy and John DeNicolo

• Ditto – Cyndy DiBeneditto & Michelle Ann

• David C. Hemingway

• Matthew Kobalkin

• Bob Morgenstern

• Kevin O’Connell

• Katie Pierce

• Mary Ellen Schwartz

• Justin Smith

• Tom Starace

• Paul Stokes

• UU Ukes

Although the Obama Administration temporarily blocked an easement for the Dakota Access pipeline, the indigenous-led nonviolent movement remains through the brutal North Dakota winter. Funds are still needed to support those who continue their encampment at the site, and for legal fees. The proposed Pilgrim pipelines, which would run from Albany to Linden, NJ, would cross under the Hudson River twice, along with 237 other waterways, as well as 296 wetlands. Both the Dakota Access and Pilgrim pipelines would carry Bakken Shale crude oil, extracted using fracking, which was banned in New York due to its health impacts. The suggested donation will be $20 although smaller amounts will be accepted gratefully.

“This upcoming fundraiser goes hand-in-hand with the Unitarian Universalists’ strong tradition of supporting environmental causes,” noted Reverend Erica Baron, minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills. “It fits right in with the U.U. Seventh Principle: “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”

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Friends, These sibling pipeline struggles have much in common, as both Dakota Access Pipeline and the Pilgrim pipelines would threaten mighty rivers, carry fracked Bakken shale crude oil from North Dakota, harm climate, violate indigenous peoples’ land, and put drinking water at risk for millions. We are united and strong here! Over a dozen of us from CAPPNY have gone to North Dakota in solidarity since September, and increasingly, the national profile of the fight against Pilgrim pipelines is growing also, along with the awareness that Pilgrim’s route would go through Ramapough Luunape land. Here’s an example: From Standing Rock to the World: 10 indigenous and environmental struggles and how you can help in 2017.

In closing — see you Sunday, or soon.

Peace,

Iris