We made hundreds of our calls and emails to our Vermont Senators, aiding in defeating an attempt by the Senate Minority Leader to rollback important climate laws. Thank you!  Our collective action is making a difference.

This contested plan to cut nearly 11,000 acres in the Telephone Gap area northeast of Rutland includes 800 acres of old growth forest. Old growth trees (more than 100 years old) sequester significantly more carbon than younger ones, positively affect water quality, and are more climate resilient.  The Telephone Gap project is projected to release as much carbon as 60,000-gas powered passenger vehicles driven during a year.

Third Act collaborated with Standing Trees, 350 VT, Vermonters for A Clean Environment, and Stop Vermont Biomass for this event. Speakers included: Earl Hatley, Abenaki Nation Coalition, Chris Gish, 350org, Telos Whitfield, Unitarian Universalist minister, State Representative Amy Sheldon, (statement read by Sarah Stott), Justin Lindholm, Vermonters for a Clean Environment, Zack Porter, Executive Director of Standing Trees

The public has until Monday, April 8th to comment. You are urged to submit a comment (or multiple comments – there is no limit) against the Telephone Gap project at US Forest Service NEPA Project Telephone Gap.  Also sign this petition Protect Vermont’s National Forest from destructive logging! and contact your Congress people: Rep Becca Balint: (202) 225-4115, or use this contact form,  Sen Bernie Sanders: (202) 224-5141, or use this contact form  and Sen Peter Welch: (202) 224-4242, or use this contact form.

Trump’s Return to Office Prompts Protests in Burlington, VT

Please click on the link to enjoy the photos and read the article written by Joyce Marcel, published August 20, 2024 – Issue 778.

Below are several short pieces by TA Vermonters who took part in the protest.  Each is a statement of what was most significant to the writer about taking part in the Summer of Heat on Wall Street.

“The action we did on Monday, July 8 was a funeral, but for me it was also a renewal.  A renewal of hope, of energy and of connection.  The Summer of Heat team is so disciplined, so strategic and so prepared.  The trainers and organizers were honest and upbeat.  The event leaders designed an event that was both complex, with many interlocking parts, and simple in its impact, as simple as the single strain of bagpipe music that led our cortege.  The jail support team prepared us, celebrated us and took great care of us. Days later, I still feel the effects:  of love, of hope, of gratitude and of confidence in the change we can make collectively.  My deep thanks to those who are leading us forward.” – Cynthia Maltbie, W. Newbury

“My decision to take actions that put me at risk for arrest was made early this spring.  When I laid down at the feet of the Lamenters, just outside the main doors of Citibank, I felt humble and at the same time determined.  I felt vulnerable lying on the ground looking up at the noonday sun.  The people on my right and left agreed to hold hands together.  The first gong sounded and I listened as one person read about the 1,300 heat deaths at the Hajj this year.  The second gong sounded, then a statement was read about the 30 thousand acres of forest burned last year in Canada.  The third gong, another reading about …  The words piled up on me like waves pounding the shore.  Tears welled and I sobbed at the destruction to the precious life on our planet.  Both people next to me squeezed my hands.  We were in this together.  I felt baked by the sun.  Tested in my determination, yet I persisted until I was arrested.”  – Laurel Green, Bellows Falls

“Experiencing the heat in a setting where I had no ability to control or escape it, limited as it was, felt like a small gesture of solidarity with the billions of people now experiencing it daily.  As well, I felt united with our grandchildren who will suffer it soon if we are not successful.  I also felt humbled and activated by the wonderfully articulate reminder of the indivisibility of all the justice issues plaguing our time and our people.  Venceremos!  We shall overcome!” – Péter Mihaly, Chester

“The non-violent direct action we did on July 8th was special in that it made an opening for climate grief.  Many of our other actions have been boisterous, loud, demanding.  By comparison this collective act of civil disobedience was quiet, slow, and meditative.  I found this a challenge in some ways, as it was hard to discipline my own mind to stay steady in that space of acceptance.  By acceptance I do not imply that we would cease to fight, but that we will continue the struggle even while we attempt to acknowledge all that we’ve lost and all that we are likely to lose in the future.  I actually feel inspired to work harder now that I am consciously holding a space for all the people, animals, plants, species, and habitats that have perished in this hotter world, and I am determined to prevent as many future climate deaths as I can.”   – Steve Crofter, Bellows Falls

“I think all of us involved in this work have to some degree a well of despair, loss, pain, fear, anger.  It brushes us at odd moments, and we turn away, move on.  It’s so hard to face grief. 

I volunteered to be one of the silent, downcast, sackcloth and ashes Lamenters for the July 8th action.  It was a walking meditation, encased in silence, seeing only a few feet before me, cut off from the bustle.  Walking slowly in the cortege behind the bagpiper, hands turned out, I reached that well of sorrow.  I was holding the little bodies of my beloved grandchildren, unable to protect them.  I was holding this precious, infinitely beautiful world as it’s being brought to ruin by an overreaching, out-of-control species.

Meanwhile, it was hot. Every bit of shade or passing breeze was welcome.  After standing still for so long It was a relief when the Lamenters chose to lie down on the plaza to add to the arrest count, hot as it was on cement.  With eyes closed against the fierce sun, I felt it was sending an urgent message, “I’m here, I’m free, I’m all you need. As for fossil fuels, ‘Keep it in the ground!’”  Then there was a wonderful breeze, and I realized other protesters were fanning us with paper fans provided by the organizers. 

In times of sorrow all we need is here: the sun to give us life, our home on this good earth, and people who care for each other and our home.  Knowing that is hope, but taking action brings hope to life.”  – Catherine Kidder, W. Newbury

The evaluations at the end of the day showed that folks who attended loved meeting in person and being at a state park, enjoyed that there was a variety of activities as soon as we arrived, appreciated the activity time with several topics to choose from, noted that the small group discussions were important for connecting, found that the short video of Bill McKibben drew people in, were inspired by hearing other people’s hope and commitment.  Many people commented that meeting others, the camadrie and sharing were the highlights.

We learned a lot from doing this experiment, so some changes for next time include: have more concrete next steps, and to have a report back to the whole group after the breakout group conversations.  One person suggested that next time everyone bring 10 friends!

The majority of people completing the evaluation said they felt more engaged and inspired at the end of the Rendezvous.

A great big THANK YOU to Catherine and Steve who organized the day and to Dalia and Jud who did the original brainstorming.  Thanks to Tom for bringing the audio visual equipment and documenting the day with photographs.  Thanks to our special guest speaker, Leif Taranta, from the Climate Disobedience Center, for their slideshow and talk about Non-Violent Direct Action and for leading a listening circle on the same topic during the activity time. The Third Act Vermont Rendezvous was made possible through a Base Building Grant from Third Act. We appreciate everyone’s support to make this important event happen!

Now is the time to revitalize our leadership team.  Three members of the current Coordinating Committee (abbreviated as the Coord Com) are carrying the load for the running of Third Act Vermont. It is clear that we can’t continue as things are now.  We decided to put our cards on the table and ask for help.

As with any organization there are roles for internal management, communication, outreach, and coordination with the national Third Act staff.

Ideally, we would like to see a dozen new people sharing these responsibilities.  There are job descriptions available for each role on the Coord Com.  Every role could have co-leaders with the work shared by a team of people to cover all the tasks.  The experienced current members of the Coord Com are willing to act as mentors to help new leaders grow into the roles. 

All the members of the Coordinating Committee meet together for an hour two times a month to harmonize all the efforts within Third Act Vermont.  

During this time of revitalization some activities will continue: Summer of Heat, Voter Action Team, Legislative and Divestment Action Teams, Regional Groups, Postcarding, Newsletters.  There is ongoing internal maintenance work that needs to continue as well.

We are planning meetings for all TA VT members who want to be part of this revitalization to brainstorm how to move forward.   We will use the Statewide Meetings July 18 and August 15 to take on this revitalization process.  We will create a plan to fill the twelve seats that are vacant or need a replacement.  Everyone is welcome to participate in this process.

If you are considering taking a more active role, please call Steve Crofter (802-275-4646) and think together about what you might do in Third Act Vermont.

Statewide Meetings for Revitalization This Summer

On Thursdays July 18 and August 15 from 4:30 – 6 PM our Statewide meetings will be used for a review of the leadership roles needed to help our working group function well.  We will also think together of how to fill those roles while not over burdening anyone and providing support for new people as they step into leadership.  What an exciting time to be taking action on climate and democracy!

My biggest dream is to resolve the climate crisis.

In February, I was one of over 500 Third Actors who pledged to travel to Washington D.C. to hold three days of protests against the development of more liquified natural gas terminals on the south coast of the U.S.  That was enough pressure for President Biden to put a pause on the permitting process.  I count that as successful non-violent direct action (NVDA). 

Recently I mentioned my goal of bringing 100 members of Third Act Vermont (TA VT) with me to the non-violent direct actions in New York City this summer.  The campaign is called the Summer of Heat on Wall Street.

 A few days ago I attended a (NVDA) training with one other person from TA VT.  We spent time with leaders from other Third Act working groups around the northeast who are also preparing to confront CitiBank and other financiers of continued fossil fuel infrastructure development.

As of today there are half a dozen people from TA VT who have told me they are willing to join me in protests on Wall Street.  We just need another 93 to reach this goal, a step towards making my dream come true. 

Even though bringing a hundred folks from TA VT may feel impossible, it is what I have decided to try to do.  I have a powerful vision of elders, getting up out of our rocking chairs, taking a stand for the sake of the planet and all life that it holds, including the future of our grandchildren.  

For me, I am also fighting for a livable planet for myself, this year, here in Vermont.  I am afraid for my garden, the forests that I love, the quality of the air I breathe and the water I drink as we face the quickly rising global temperatures.  I am afraid for our society that has not acted at a pace and scale sufficient to halt that rise in temperature.

I also feel afraid that my words and actions won’t be large and strong enough to convince you to join me. 

My dream scares me.  Do I have enough time and energy to do everything I can think of to make my dream a reality?  My dream scares me because I feel like I won’t be able to control or predict what will happen.  My dream scares me because I’m not sure if you share my dream.

However, I know that I am not alone.  Over the last few years I have heard Bill McKibben repeatedly say, “Climate change is the single biggest thing that humans have ever done on this planet. The one thing that needs to be bigger is our movement to stop it.”  I am putting my efforts with his to make our movement large enough to turn things around.  Please join us. 

–Laurel Green

I am only one, but still I am one. 

I cannot do everything, but still I can do something 

and because I cannot do everything, 

I will not refuse to do the something 

that I can do.

 – Edward Everett Hale

Why I decided to do Non-violent Civil Disobedience (NVDA)

As a woman elder I want to tell you why I am willing to take part in the Summer of Heat on Wall Street and am willing to put myself at risk for arrest.

Until the past few years, I took full advantage of living in the U.S. during the fossil fuel feast. I drove across the U.S. a half dozen times and drove from Mexico to Alaska.  I flew across the U.S. many times and also flew to Europe and to China. I lived my whole life in a consumption based lifestyle.  However, I see now that everything I buy is laced with fossil fuel. Now, I know how this lifestyle hurts the whole ecosystem that I depend on, so I can act differently.

I am a good candidate for NVDA.  I no longer have dependent children. I no longer have aging parents. I’m not worried about my resume, or an arrest record. I can afford to be away from home for a week this summer.

There have been a few little worries in my mind. Details that I can figure out – how to travel, where to stay, how this adventure might affect my aging body.  I see these as small details compared to taking a stand for the health of my planet. The big thing for me has been to decide to participate in NVDA.

So, I recently decided to give up comfort for one week to face off with the banks, insurance companies and the other funders of the fossil fuel industry. I am calling on my integrity and courage to do this.  I can share my experience of this novel adventure with my children and grandchildren.

Here is my version of Edward Everett Hale’s poem:

I am only one.  If you join me, we are two,

If we both bring a crew, we are a dozen.

If Third Act Vermont brings 20 crews, we are a hundred.

If all the Third Act working groups in and surrounding New York City

 bring 20 crews, we are a 1,000!

Together, I think, we can change

 the hearts and minds of people

 by showing up on Wall Street.

I need to be there.  

I want you to be there, too.

Please join me.

     – Laurel Green