Fasting for the Future in Peabody

Submitted by Jerry Halberstadt on Thu, 03/24/2022 - 14:58
LLuveia and Amaya Luz Segura-Leigh holding sign "No gas No oil"

Children holding sign, LLuveia and Amaya Luz Segura-Leigh


Credo of the hunger strikers

Do we want a livable planet for ourselves, our children and grandchildren?

 This peaker plant, built, would be another nail in the coffin of a livable future. This peaker plant stopped is the beginning of a swift transition to a better tomorrow.

 In our society, it appears that power and profit are more important than people.

  • Government has failed us.
  • Business has failed us.
  • Industry has failed us.
  • We are left with each other.
  • We must be the change.

Hunger strikers overlooking Waters River Facility of the Peabodyh Municipal Light Plant
On last day of their 8-day fast, the hunger strikers overlooking the Waters River Facility of the Peabody Municipal Light Plant. L/R: Rob Bonney, Roger Rosen, Joy Gurrie, Nathan Phillips, Judith Black, Sue Donaldson, and key supporter, Diane Fine

 

Grassy area of the Waters River Facility of the Peabody Municipal Light Plant, planned location of the fossil fuel peaker generator
Grassy area of the Waters River Facility of the Peabody Municipal Light Plant, planned location of the fossil fuel peaker generator. Existing peaker plant in distance.


Demonstrators gathered at courthouse plaza
Demonstrators gathered at courthouse plaza
Hunger strikers on 8th day of fast observe demonstrators and listen to speeches
Hunger strikers and friends on 8th day of fast observe demonstrators and listen to speeches. L/R: Diane Fine, Nathan Phillips, Bob Molloy, Judith Black, Sue Donaldson, Rob Bonney, Roger Rose, Joy Gurrie
Representative Sally Kerans (left) and Senator Joan Lovely (fight) thank and praise the hunger strikers
Representative Sally Kerans (left) and Senator Joan Lovely (fight) thank and praise the hunger strikers
Representative Sally Kerans addresses demonstrators, SenatorJoan Lovely stands beside her; Judith Black in background
Representative Sally Kerans addresses demonstrators, SenatorJoan Lovely stands beside her; Judith Black in background
Senator Joan Lovely addresses demonstrators
Senator Joan Lovely addresses demonstrators. In background, Judith Black, Joy Gurrie, Rob Bonney

“I was honored to join Representative Sally Kerans, Breathe Clean North Shore, MCAN, and many community members about the environmental and health impacts the peaker plant would have on our communities,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem). “Thank you to the six brave individuals who participated in a hunger strike to protect our health and our environment. I look forward to continuing to work together to safeguard the well-being of our residents across the North Shore.”

Susan Smoller of Breathe Clean North Shore addresses demonstrators
Susan Smoller of Breathe Clean North Shore addresses demonstrators. Rear: Rob Bonney, Nathan Phillips
Roger Rosen, hunger striker, leads singing
Roger Rosen, a hunger striker, leads singing. Rear: Nathan Phillips, Bob Molloy

One blue sky above us, one ocean lapping all our shore
One earth so green and round, who could ask for more?
And because I love you I'll give it one more try
To show my rainbow race, it's too soon to die.—Pete Seeger

Judith Black, a hunger striker, leads singing
Judith Black, a hunger striker, leads singing. Rear: Hunger strikers Nathan Phillips, Rob Bonney, Sue Donaldson, Joy Gurrie, Roger Rosen
Supporters listen to speakers
Supporters listen to speakers
Susan Smoller, celebrating first year of Breathe Clean North Shore, displays symbolic butterfly
Susan Smoller, celebrating successful first year of Breathe Clean North Shore, displays symbolic butterfly
Sue Donaldson, hunger striker
Sue Donaldson
Nathan Phillips, hunger striker
Nathan Phillips, hunger striker
Diane Fine: she actively supported the hunger strikers
Diane Fine: she actively supported the hunger strikers
Hunger strikers, L/R: Joy Gurrie, Rob Bonney, Roger Rosen
Hunger strikers, L/R: Joy Gurrie, Rob Bonney, Roger Rosen
Breathe Clean North Shore member Barbara Treacy joins standout
Breathe Clean North Shore member Barbara Treacy joins standout
Three people holding signs at standout
Three people holding signs at standout
Holly Aloha Jaynes, President, Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead
Holly Aloha Jaynes, President, Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead
Woman at standout
Woman at standout
Women at standout in Peabody Square
Women at standout in Peabody Square
Man at standout in Peabody Square
Man at standout in Peabody Square
Judith Black, Diane Fine, and Roger Rosen shout out to Rob Molloy
Judith Black, Diane Fine, and Roger Rosen shout out to Jim Molloy
Woman chats with L/R Senator Lovely, Representative Kerans, and Susan Smoller of Breathe Clean North Shore
Woman chats with L/R Senator Lovely, Representative Kerans, and Susan Smoller of Breathe Clean North Shore
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Youngest demonstrator and Senator Lovely

 

Logan Malik of Mass Climate Action Network addresses concluding ceremony at the Peabody Council on Aging
Logan Malik of Mass Climate Action Network addresses concluding ceremony at the Peabody Council on Aging
Demonstrators at the final ceremony at Peabody Senior Center, in rear: Nathan Phillips and Sue Donaldson
Demonstrators at the concluding ceremony at Peabody Senior Center, in rear: Nathan Phillips and Sue Donaldson
Demonstrators at the final ceremony at Peabody Senior Center
Demonstrators at the concluding ceremony at Peabody Senior Center


Report from Fasting for a Future

We are six activists who have been #FastingforaFuture; we chose to end our hunger strike last evening [March 22, 2022] in its eighth day, and enjoyed a celebratory dinner.

We are so grateful for the tremendous support we received. The media gave us great publicity. We have set elected officials in motion, and feel we have accomplished our goals. There is tremendous energy out there, people are more aware, agencies are on notice, and we want to be around to keep things rolling.

First up: Help us by calling Governor Baker and demanding impact studies be done for the Peabody Peaker. More on Facebook #FastingforaFuture.

Highlights from Our Hunger Strike

The support from across the state has been tremendous. 80 people fasted from food or fossil fuels for various lengths of time and took other symbolic actions in solidarity with us. People have called the Governor to request his intervention. Standouts in various towns have been visible and well attended. Press have been present at almost all events and have written articles about the issues, often on the front page. Radio and TV hosts and podcasters have featured us: and a documentary filmmaker accompanied our tour. This visibility has helped educate the public at large and grow our movement to Stop the Peabody Peaker and build a livable climate for all.

Elected officials have voiced support, appeared at our events, held a meeting with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office to discuss concerns about the Peabody Peaker, and requested a meeting with Secretary Theaharides. Since one of our primary demands was for the Secretary to conduct the required Community Health Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Review, health and safety studies on the plant, we are deeply heartened and await outcomes.

Using the money saved on food not eaten, $1,000 was donated to World Central Kitchen to feed people in Ukraine.

With such support, we feel the best decision is to break our fast, recover, and get back to work. The issues have been well publicized and many more people are aware of the specific concerns about the Peabody plant as well as the urgency of stopping the burning of fossil fuels. There is clearly energy and willingness to be channeled into pushing for the needed changes: We look forward to helping make that happen.

Please keep following us on Facebook #FastingforaFuture. We have many tales from the road to share.


The hunger strikers, Fasting for a Future, donated the value of the food they did not eat,$1,000 to
The hunger strikers, Fasting for a Future, donated the value of the food they did not eat,$1,000 to World Central Kitchen to feed people in Ukraine. L/R: Sou Donaldson, Jim Molloy, Nathan Phillips, Judith Black, Rob Bonney. Photo: Stan Franzeen

 

One blue sky above us, one ocean lapping all our shore
One earth so green and round, who could ask for more?
And because I love you I'll give it one more try
To show my rainbow race, it's too soon to die.—Pete Seeger


Credo and statement of Fasting for a Future by Judith Black and Robert Bonney

Photo essay 2022 Jerry Halberstadt