As I drove back to school from Power Shift '11, it hit me like a ton of bricks that my role as an organizer in the climate movement may be coming to a close, for at least the time being.  I had just been offered a job with an environmental organization in New York, and while its cause is very progressive, it didn't involve direct organizing.  While maybe a little silly, I basically thought I was leaving a movement that had given me so much.

When I first heard about the Tar Sands Action happening in DC, I briefly considered participating, but didn't actually give it much thought.  It just seemed like a big commitment and I didn't want to miss work.  I've always been extremely passionate, but never that radical.  But after coming to an understanding of just how dire this situation is and seeing pictures of my friends from across the country taking part in the demonstration, I knew I had to be there. So I left work for a few days and went to D.C. to demonstrate.

During the training session for the action, I met a man, age 63, from Spokane, Washington, who had come to D.C. for a very specific reason.  He had not participated in the civil rights movement, nor had he participated in protests against the Vietnam War.  He felt nervous and too scared at that time to speak up against the powers that be, despite being progressive.  But he came to D.C. two days ago because he felt that it was his time to speak out against injustice.  It was an honor to be at his side during the action.

Yesterday morning, I was arrested with 58 other brave patriots from all over the country, representing almost every age group.  We had come to D.C. to demonstrate against the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline that will essentially be the icing on the cake for a destroyed climate.  I decided to wear an Obama shirt to serve as a reminder of the inspiring, environmentally conscious figure who I voted and campaigned for in 2008, but who has totally lost me since. He still has the chance to get me back, but that rests on his decision regarding this pipeline.