Recent Actions

Jane Trowell on the Intersecting issues of COVID-19, Climate Justice and Colonization

May 01, 2020

On April 15, 2020 we were honored to interview Jane Trowell on the intersecting issues of COVID-19, Climate Justice and Colonization in the UK. With Brexit and COVID-19 as the starting points, Jane seamlessly wove together topics such as a sense of place and rivers, international airplane travel, unintended consequences of privilege and our collective dependence on fossil fuels, immigration, xenophobia, the role of the media, the impact of austerity measures, inadequate education, flawed elections, and the National Health System. Continue reading

#Grounded: A Conversation with Winona LaDuke and Bill McKibben on Decarbonization, Localization & Just Transition

Apr 29, 2020

Localization of economies, democracy and resilience requires that we be/get "Grounded" - reconnected to place, planet and each other. In the old "normal" it was difficult to imagine stopping air travel. Today, it is much easier to imagine. The climate, planet and creatures need the new normal to look dramatically different from the old normal. NOW is our moment of opportunity. Continue reading

Tallahassee Volunteers Produce N-99 Masks: Part 2!

Apr 29, 2020

Tallahassee volunteers are still working hard to protect frontline workers with homemade, but medical grade, masks. They have now created over 3860 masks in 3 weeks. Continue reading

#MayDay2020 Projections: Spokane

Apr 29, 2020

The Spokane solidarity brigade went out to project ahead of May Day to support workers in the General Strike! Continue reading

Earth Day Art: Tallahassee

Apr 22, 2020

The Tallahassee solidarity brigade was part of an Earth Day effort to connect folks to art and to the world we live in. Continue reading

Nettles - Nature's Free Backyard Food, Medicine and Tea

Apr 20, 2020

On Vashon Island, nettles grow everywhere! March-April is a PERFECT time to harvest this nutrient-rich native food. As part of Backbone Campaign's Resilience work, we asked our friends Alix Clarke and Eunice Blundt (aka Martha Enson) to demonstrate how to use this plant, as a potential immune boosting food. With a touch of humor - they demonstrated the different stages of preparation from harvesting without getting stung, how to prepare in soup, make chips, and preserve the goodness in tea and tincture. Continue reading

#ReMakeTheWorld Light Projections: Spokane

Apr 18, 2020

Spokane solidarity brigade projected COVID-19 messaging. Continue reading

Neighbor Power in a Time of Pandemic

Apr 13, 2020

Jim Diers, of Neighbor Power on community resilience, neighbor power and localization. Recorded Friday, March 13th, 2020 Jim spoke about social connection needed, especially during times of this public health crisis. (See his blog post on Community Resilience in light of the COVID-19 virus.) Continue reading

Time Banks as a Tool to Remake our World - a Conversation with Time Bank Leaders across the US

Apr 13, 2020

At Backbone, we believe that Time Banking is a useful tool for lifting quality of life and building resilience local economies in this time pandemic and system failures. As access to the monetary system and traditional employment are threatened, community connections are a source of well being, health and political power. Continue reading

#ReMakeTheWorld Light Projections: Seattle

Apr 06, 2020

The Seattle area Backbone "pod" (Bill and Aziza) hit the streets to exercise some First Amendment protected speech. Continue reading

Tallahassee Volunteers Produced N-99 Masks

Apr 06, 2020

About 40 volunteers in Tallahassee steeped forward to home-sew a medical grade mask designed by University Of Florida anesthesiologists. The masks are made of throw-away Halyard H600, rated at N-99, and re-sterilize-able and re-usable 5-10 times. Continue reading

#ReMakeTheWorld Light Projections: Bellingham

Mar 27, 2020

The Bellingham Solidarity Brigade projected messages of love, solidarity, and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading

#ReMakeTheWorld Light Projections: Annapolis

Mar 27, 2020

The Annapolis Solidarity Brigade projected pandemic related images at iconic bank building in Annapolis. Continue reading

Witness at the Border: Brownsville, TX

Mar 14, 2020

The evening of witness and creative protest marked month number 3 of Witness at the Border. Continue reading

Brownsville Marched For Immigrant Rights And Low Income Vendors

Feb 29, 2020

Activists in Brownsville, TX marched with Las Imaginistas and Charo Days as part of a bi-national (between the United States and Mexico) parade. Continue reading

Activists in Portland, OR call on the city to declare a climate emergency

Feb 27, 2020

Activists with Extinction Rebellion borrowed Backbone's beautiful globe during their march on City Hall in February. The Group, who briefly blocked the road and marched around city hall, was calling on the city to declare a climate emergency. The action was covered here by the local news channel. Continue reading

Extinction Rebellion Baltimore March

Feb 24, 2020

Extinction Rebellion Baltimore marched at the Maryland State House to urge the General Assembly to pass legislation declaring a climate emergency. Continue reading

Students protest at Kennedy Catholic High School to show support for fired teachers.

Feb 18, 2020

Backbone helped student, parent and teacher protest against unjust firing of two gay teachers who were both engaged to marry their partners. Director Bill Moyer met with a teacher and reached out to organize banner build. Follow this link to read more about the Seattle Times Coverage of this youth lead action! Continue reading

Love Not Hate: Projections at the Matamoros-Brownsville Border Crossing

Feb 15, 2020

The light action was part of a four day event, "Love Not Hate" hosted by Witness at the Border. The light event consisted of three elements; projection on the Gateway International Bridge Border station, Light Banner “RESTORE ASYLUM”, projections onto the border wall. Activists then took the LEDs to the Airport to protest against deportation flights; asylees were boarding and being deported via the Brownsville airport. Continue reading

Climate Message Illuminated in Wenatchee, WA

Feb 07, 2020

Wenatchee community members used the Backbone created LED message "ACT ON CLIMATE" on Wenatchee Ave. in front of the Convention Center. It was a busy Friday night with First Friday downtown promotion, Rails and Ales Snowboard competition and a play at the Performing Arts Center.Several people stopped and chatted with to them about their illuminated message as over one thousand cars drove by in the hour they spent bannering. Continue reading

Complicit Collins

Jan 26, 2020

A projectionist in Portland, Maine created a light projection action outside of Senator Susan Collins office ahead of Senate trial of Donald Trump. The projections urged Collins to do the right thing and ask for more witnesses, and a few days later Collins became the first Republican to break with Donald Trump and vote to call more witnesses! Continue reading

No War With Iran - Global Day of Protest

Jan 25, 2020

Banners were held above a Nashville TN overpass, stating "No More Endless War" and "Peace with Iran" on January 25th. The action was in coordination with the Global Day of Protest and Backbone Solidarity Brigade Member Roni joined with others near the state capitol building and the centennial park to take a stand against war. Continue reading

The fight to save Washington's resident orca community continues

Jan 23, 2020

Backbone Award Recipient Michelle Seidelman and her crew on the Orca Oracle bus borrowed Backbone's Tahlequah orca inflatable for a rally outside Washington State Governor Inslee's Stakeholder meeting in Olympia, WA. Continue reading

Shining a light on Costco's sustainability

Jan 21, 2020

Costco is clearing old growth forest in order to sell you cheap toilet paper. Bellingham Solidarity Brigade collaborated with Stand.Earth in their campaign to get Costco to stop clearing old growth forests for its toilet paper. Projections illuminated the building where Costco's Shareholders were meeting, in an effort to draw attention to this issue. Continue reading

No War With Iran Messages Projected On To Trump Hotel In D.C

Jan 17, 2020

Backbone Solidarity Brigade collaborated with allies at Code Pink to demonstrate against a potential war with Iran by projecting on Trump Hotel and staging large signs accompanied by a Trump impersonator. Continue reading

Backbone leads workshop with local middle school, to prep for MLK activities

Jan 17, 2020

Backbone ED Bill Moyer gave a workshop to students at the Harbor School on creative activism. The students created a banner, learned light projection and drumming for demonstrations and how to deploy props. On Friday, January 17th, the middle school students carried the banner and drummed while taking over the streets on Vashon Island! Continue reading

"Trump Endangers Us All" & "No War on Iran" messages light up downtown Spokane

Jan 13, 2020

"Trump Endangers Us All" and "No War With Iran" projected on to the side of City Hall in Spokane, WA. City Council members were met with the messages as they arrived for a council meeting on a snowy evening.

Beautiful Climate Action Banner Unfurled in Olympia

Jan 13, 2020

On Monday activists joined with Protecters of the Salish Sea to pressure Governor Jay Inslee to declare a climate emergency in Washington State. Activists held up a this banner as they went through the streets of Olympia! This was the debut outing for Backbone's "Declare a Climate Emergency" Banner. Thanks to Artful Activist Alessandra Mondolfi for leading the art build and providing the banner template, based on her beautiful felt banner. #FortheFuture Continue reading

"No War With Iran"

Jan 09, 2020

Light Projections lit up the Union Pacific Building in Portland, OR in response to the escalating tensions between Iran and the US. Lots of pedestrians were out and stopped to talk with Mike and Harlan, PEST projectionists and Backbone Solidarity Brigade members. Continue reading

Kick ICE Out of Portland!

Jan 03, 2020

Light projections in Portland, ME urge the building manager, Dirigo Management, to evict ICE from their rented office in downtown Portland. Tourists and locals who were out for the First Friday Art Walk were met with the image projected on to the side of the office building. The action was covered by the Beacon along with other efforts by activist to bring awareness to ICEs presence. https://mainebeacon.com/light-projections-draw-attention-to-ices-expansion-in-portland/ Continue reading

Activists in Tallahassee protests Trumps rally.

Jan 03, 2020

Activists in Tallahassee, FL protest a Trumps rally as he prepares to campaign for reelection in Florida. One of Backbone Campaign's "Trump Heads" made an appearance, exposing him for the criminal he is.

"All I want for Christmas is a chance to live" #KeepPhilAlive

Dec 24, 2019

UPDATE: The actions worked, and Phil received a reversal of CareFirst's decision. He will receive the medication his doctor has ordered. Click here to read his Jan 2, 2020 update. For Immediate Release:December 24, 2019For more info, contact Phil Ateto (443-223-8202)[email protected] Bill Moyer (206-356-9980)[email protected] “All I want for Christmas is a chance to live”Insurance company CareFirst of Maryland is condemning a 41 year old man to death, denying him access to the medicine his doctor requested. But he and his friends are fighting back to #KeepPhilAlive Continue reading

Backbone Imagery supports Extinction Rebellion in Baltimore!

Dec 21, 2019

Extinction Rebellion Baltimore deployed the Backbone globe while dressed up in various costumes and paraded around the inner harbor shopping area in Baltimore. They reminded people that there is no Christmas on a dead planet! Continue reading

Message On Climate Action Not Stopped By Weather

Dec 20, 2019

Snow, rain and sleet did not stop activists in Wenatchee, WA. They braved the elements to hold up LED light banners urging commuters home to take "Action on Climate". These LED banners are a great way to reach an evening commuter crowed during these dark winter days. "We cranked up some protest music and had a good time!" said one activist. Earlier that week the same activists projected light messages on to the streets of downtown Wenatchee, catching the attention of people out for the monthly art walk. For the earth! Continue reading

"Nobody Is Above The Law" Projected on WI Senator Ron Johnson's office

Dec 17, 2019

Milwaukee projectionists borrowed Backbone's lights and impeachment-related GOBOs to light up the office of Trump ally Senator Ron Johnson on the eve of the House Impeachment Vote. The projection was part of 600 actions across the US to call for Executive Branch accountability. Milwaukee's projection even got a mention by Rachel Maddow on her news show! Hats off to the growing Wisconsin projection crew! Continue reading

Projections Bring Big Energy to Impeachment Rally

Dec 17, 2019

Light projectionists in Bellingham, WA brought tools to support a pro-impeachment rally held on Tuesday, the night before the House voted to impeach Donald J. Trump. The energy of the crowed was excited, they said, when their lighted messages came on as speakers took the stage! Continue reading

Nobody Is Above the Law

Dec 13, 2019

Every Friday and Sunday, members of the Kitsap Solidarity Brigade stand with the Backbone Trump head, outfitted in prison gear in Kingston and on Bainbridge Island, with the message "Nobody Is Above the Law." Continue reading

Eugene Activists Turn Up The Heat on City Climate Resolution

Dec 09, 2019

Eugene Activists with 350 Eugene and Backbone's Solidarity Brigade "shine light" on city council's climate resolution (or lack thereof). Continue reading

Seattle 20 Year Anniversary 1999 WTO Protests

Dec 07, 2019

Washington Fair Trade Coalition gathered together with community allies in Downtown Seattle to honor the 20 year anniversary of the Seattle protests of the World Trade Organization in 1999. Continue reading

Backbone Collaborates for an Artful Activism Training in SoCal

Dec 07, 2019

Backbone worked with environmental justice activists, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice and center for Community Action and Environmental Justice to put together an Artful Activism training. In just two days we covered:• Drumming for Demonstrations (built a trash can drumline)• Giant Banner Building (built 2 freeway overpass banners and deployed them)• LED bannering (Assembled and mobilized an LED banner twice)• Light Projection (executed two projections)• Explored the anatomy of Freeway Blockades, on water actions, and other creative tactics with valuable discussions and brainstorming for future actions.• Kayaktivism (Group discussion/presentation followed by on water training of a core group of future trainers) Continue reading

Whale and Salmon inflatables support the Climate Strike in Tacoma

Dec 06, 2019

On Friday, December 6th Tacoma youth, led by the Sunrise Movement, held a rally at Tollefson Plaza in downtown to draw attention to the climate crisis and demand that leaders take action. Part of a national day of action, the Sunrise movement was also drawing attention to the Green New Deal, building momentum for it to pass after the next presidential election. Backbone lent the whale and salmon to the action to support #ProtectorsOfTheSalishSea. Working together to make the movement beautiful! Continue reading

Pressuring the IMF and World Bank to Divest from Fossil Fuel

Dec 06, 2019

Activists disrupted the DC morning commute around the IMF and World Bank's annual meeting to protest them not divesting from fossil fuel projects. Later in the morning they joined with Jane Fonda's "Fire Drill Fridays" and attempted to disrupt nearby Wells Fargo branches. The action was covered here by the Washington Post. Continue reading

Light Projections Illuminate Cal Berkeley's Climate Strike

Dec 04, 2019

In collaboration with Cal Berkeley Students for Climate Action and Berkeley Sunrise, an action brigade member promoted the Dec 6th Climate Strike on campus. Students provided input on what they wanted projected, including a student drawn graphic (not shown). Cal Berkeley students are interested in promoting n UC version of the Green New Deal, to make their campuses a guiding light for a national effort to fight climate change. Continue reading

Bellingham Solidarity Brigade Prepares for Climate Strike 12/6

Nov 22, 2019

Bellingham Solidarity Brigade raising awareness for the next National Climate Strike on Friday Dec. 6th, 2019. Continue reading

Slaughter Shingle Mountain - Light Projections in Texas

Nov 22, 2019

Backbone sent light projection tools to The North Texas Light Brigade so that they could draw attention to the environmental disaster Shingle Mountain. “Shingle Mountain,” is the largest illegal dump in Dallas – a mound of toxic shingles several stories high, creating a toxic mound that backs up to private homes, spreading fumes throughout the neighborhood. Continue reading

XR Challenges Colorado Cleantech Awards

Nov 07, 2019

Climate activists with Extinction Rebellion challenged "clean" oil and gas at the Colorado Cleantech Industries 2019 Oil & Gas Cleantech Challenge Awards night. Continue reading

Bellingham SB Takes on Trump's Twitter

Nov 01, 2019

Bellingham Solidarity Brigade (as part of #OccupyBellingham) took to First Friday Art Walk to share their thoughts with Trump on Twitter. Continue reading

Seattle Light Brigade Projects to Impeach

Oct 17, 2019

Members of the Seattle Light Brigade projects messages of impeachment at Seattle Center in solidarity with #OutNow. Continue reading

Backbone and Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition at NWPCC Public Hearing

Oct 15, 2019

Backbone joined up with Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition for a press conference and rally during the Northwest Power and Conservation Council's recent public hearing to advocate the inclusion of critical protections for orca and salmon in their fish and wildlife plan. Continue reading

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