Rally to urge Congressman to support bill ending corporate personhood
Activists rally in front of Rep. Rick Larsen's office to encourage him to sign on to HJR 48 to end corporate personhood.
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Post Raid Light Projection onto Venezuelan Embassy
D.C. solidarity brigade members in collaboration with the Embassy Protection Collective projected images that further highlighted the illegitimacy of the U.S. appointed Guaido government to follow up the Secret Service's illegal raid and arrest of remaining 4 protectors inside the embassy.
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Solutionary Rail talks to Warren Buffett!
A small crew of friends held the Solutionary Rail banner outside the CHI Health Convention Center while hordes of people lined up to enter the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting in Omaha, NE.
Backbone ED and Solutionary Rail Project Lead Bill Moyer went inside to participate in public portion of the meeting, wishing to ask questions of Warren Buffett at the Q&A Session - and through a lucky lottery draw, he got to ask the first question! Wow!
Our friends finished out the trip by giving several of our local activists a demonstration of message light display using one of the exterior walls of the CHI Health Convention Center & Arena.
See the link to watch Warren Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger respond to Bill's question:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=394696204467822
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Kitsap Welcomes All for May Day
Vashon, Tacoma and Olympia Solidarity Brigade members joined together to hold an Artful Activism Workshop in Bremerton -- one week later, the new Kitsap Solidarity Brigade took action.
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Celebratory Green New Deal light projections at UC Berkeley
Bay Area Solidarity Brigade projected on the iconic UC Berkeley clock tower to celebrate the unanimous approval of the resolution by the student government.
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Seattle Earth Day Green New Deal highway bannering
Seattle Solidarity Brigade got out on Earth Day morning with the LED "Green New Deal" banner.
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Projections at XR Earth Day vigil in Baltimore
D.C./Baltimore Solidarity Brigade collaborated with the Baltimore Extinction Rebellion (XR) chapter to do light projections at Earth Day vigil.
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Tucson mobilizes in solidarity with campus activists
New Backbone friend in Arizona Liz Kinnamon pulled off her first projection on the night before a critical community meeting on the University of Arizona campus regarding University collusion with white supremacist border guards and threats to students who were victimized because they want them to stay off campus.
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Earth Day in Spokane
Backbone Campaign HQ & Backbone Spokane joined forces to bring artful activism to the Spokane 2019 Earth Day celebration.
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Venezuelan Embassy Light Projections
D.C solidarity brigade projected messages opposing U.S. intervention in Venezuela and affirming the Maduro government, Chavez legacy, and Bolivarian revolution onto the Venezuelan embassy in solidarity with the Embassy Protection Collective.
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Backbone's newest image enhances local elementary school's Earth Day event
In our home community, organizers of the elementary school's Earth Day borrowed Backbone's newest images - monarch butterflies - to advocate for the protection of Pollinators.
The butterflies, designed by artist Wynne Mentink, are an easy prop to deploy and more are made each week during the weekly art build at Backbone HQ on Vashon Island. The prop can also used to show solidarity with immigrants, halting the construction of the border wall which disrupts habitat, and remediating the impacts of climate change which are impacting all species and people.
For the Earth!
Projecting at UC Berkeley
Our friends at UC Berkeley show the awesome power of digital projection! With digital projection we can show color, detailed images and even video. There are so many creative ways to show a message!
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L.A. solidarity brigade mobilizes to support local environmental justice group
The L.A. squad deployed the inflatable globe and banner to support an action by STAND L.A.
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XR light projections in D.C.
Deployed light projections onto the Newseum in D.C. of ahead of day of action by XR D.C. chapter.
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D.C. shines messages of solidarity for arrested projectionist
The local brigade displayed messages in solidarity ahead of the court date of a local projectionist who was arrested for projecting onto the Rayburn house office building on U.S. Capitol grounds, a location frequently used by projectionists.
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Light Projections in Scotland!
Backbone sent light projection tools across the Atlantic to our friends in Scotland to use in their Extension Rebellion actions in Edinburgh. Their arrests and actions are sparking media attention and energy on to the climate crisis as a climate bill moves through Scottish Parliament.
For the Earth!
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San Diego shines a light for justice
The San Diego team was out shining in solidarity with projectionists who were arrested and ticketed for shining on the Congressional Building in Washington, D.C.
Our folks in San Diego projected messages in support of the dreamers, migrants and Earl McNeil. When asked to leave by building security, they explained that this was 1st amendment right and were allowed to stay!
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9th Human Orca Mural at Spokane Earth Day
Backbone provided inflatable props to the Spokane Earth Day celebration and created its 9th Human Orca Mural, amidst the intense rain and wind!
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Solidarity with Robin Bell
Light projectionists in Seattle show support for Robin Bell, a projectionist who was arrested after projecting on to U.S Capitol grounds. Their messages remind us that light projecting is not illegal and is a form of free speech.
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Trash incinerator projections highlight dirty "renewable energy" secret
D.C./Baltimore solidarity brigades partnered with local activists to project messages on well known Baltimore trash incinerator pointing out its' toxic emissions to oppose its' inclusion in renewable energy subsidies.
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Release the Report - LEDs at 4-way stop on Vashon
Volunteers on Vashon created an LED banner to deploy as part of a national action calling for the Release of the Mueller Report. The action was co-sponsored by Indivisible Vashon and Backbone and passers by were encouraged to call their Congressional Representatives to Release the Report.
Backbone supports setting a standard for leadership and accountability, as well as checks and balances on presidential power.
Baltimore solidarity projections for police accountability
The D.C./Baltimore projected images in solidarity as backdrop to action demanding police accountability and against establishing a private police force at Johns Hopkins University.
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Shut Down Homestead
Alessandra, Backbone CSO in Miami, borrowed the LED light panels and projection equipment to shine a message on Homestead, the nation's for profit private detention facility for migrant children.
Her actions received significant press coverage and solidarity, including from Sen Jeff Merkley.
For more info, see: "One in Six Migrant Children in the U.S. are Staying at a Shelter Operated by a Private Equity Tycoon."
To support Alessandra's creative activism, make a donation HERE.
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Activists crash gala for the "Other NRA"
Activists showed up at the National Restaurant Association's gala to highlight their efforts to suppress worker wages at the Grand Hyatt in D.C.
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Baltimore City Hall Projections Highlight City's issues
The D.C./Baltimore area solidarity brigade projected messages that highlight the city's current foremost issues amidst the many problems faced.
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Pro-Palestinian projections at annual AIPAC convention in D.C.
D.C. solidarity brigade projected pro-Palestinian messages and images onto AIPAC headquarters and the D.C. convention center where AIPAC annual convention was being held.
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Green New Deal Action in Seattle
Folks in Seattle display support for the Green New Deal to Seattle commuters over I5 interstate. The Backbone Campaign is now able to create illuminated LED banners like this one, which can deliver electrifying messages!
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Liberty is Muscle that Must Be Exercised
More than sixteen years of creative protest continually affirm that freedom has territorial boundaries. Those boundaries are human constructs, but they require proactive defense. Any retreat only emboldens tyrants and bullies who will never be satisfied. This lesson was embedded in me during the very first action with my artist friends from Vashon Island who later co-founded Backbone Campaign.
Like projectionist Robin Bell, people in Backbone's Solidarity Brigade network have recently experienced intimidation during both overpass bannering actions and light projections. Normal people cannot compete for space in the social dialogue if the ticket is at a price point affordable only to those who already have way too much power.
Money is not speech. Speech is speech. Backbone Campaign's work is about teaching people ways to harness their speech. We will fight to defend the territory of free speech, and we will win.
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Backbone Supports United Farm Workers
Laura and Bill of Backbone HQ deployed a giant aerial banner outside Starbucks' shareholder meeting today in Seattle for the UFW (United Farm Workers). Even Rev. Jesse Jackson showed up in solidarity with dairy workers urging Starbucks use its purchasing power to demand Darigold #StopAbuse of workers. #DarigoldDozenThank you Laura, Jennifer and Amy for all your work on the banner. It looked awesome. Teamwork!
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Backbone Builders Guild - The people behind the magic
Backbone couldn't show up for the Solidarity Brigades and many allies across the country without people like these the other dedicated members of Backbone's Builders Guild. These folks are the behind the scenes inspiration and perspiration of our Artful Activism. They are an essential part of every action. We are all deeply grateful for their generous contributions that make the magic in the streets possible.
Seattleites Reminded, Democracy is for the People
Seattle based projectionist sent messages of democracy on to the side of the Museum of Pop Culture in March. Under the iconic Seattle Space Needle tourist and locals alike saw their calls to end sanctions in Venezuela and hold Amazon accountable for paying their fair share.
After the police showed up they moved their set up to projecting on to a local Chase branch.
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Artful activism at New Zealand shooting vigil in Annapolis
D.C./Baltimore solidarity brigades used light projections and sidewalk chalking as a backdrop and framing at vigil in Annapolis, MD for mosque shooting in New Zealand.
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Showing Up for Gun Safety and to Collaborate with Youth Activism on Climate Change in Florida
Our friends in Tallahassee along with Equality Florida gathered about 200 people from all over Florida to lobby against HB 3 which would allow state laws to supersede local ordinance, against SB 7030, allowing concealed carry on church school grounds. Later that month they joined in Tallahassee's Kids Climate Change March. For the future!
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End Sanctions Against Venezuela NOW!
The Seattle team is staying strong in their continued solidarity for the people of Venezuela! #HandsOffVenezuela
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Solidarity With Muslims Projections
Folks in Alameda, CA projected Muslim solidarity messaging on local theater.
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Hands Off Venezuela! Seattle Projection
The government of the US has NO right to interfere with Venezuela the way that it has. Say NO to imperialism! #HandsOffVenezuela.
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Chelsea Manning Is A Hero!
The Seattle team projected messaging in support of Chelsea Manning. Manning has been jailed again following her refusal to testify before a Grand Jury about Wikileaks.
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Hands Off Venezuela projection at U.S. State Dept
D.C projectionists illuminated messages on the U.S Diplomacy Center at U.S. State Dept headquarters. Their messages warn about the true cost of sanctions on the people of Venezuela and the imperialist implications of U.S intervention. U.S Hands Off Venezuela NOW!
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Banner Building At Local Youth Climate Strike
The D.C Solidarity Brigade connected with a local youth ambassador and climate striker who were organizing a local action for international day of action to help with visuals. Backbone brought banner making supplies to the art build and crafted message with organizers, then used banner as backdrop to the rally and it went perfectly!
The students walked out of school to fight for the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which would require utilities to get more of their electricity from in-state wind and solar sources.
https://www.chesapeakebaymagazine.com/baybulletin/2019/3/18/video-md-teens-rally-for-clean-energy-at-state-house
https://www.capitalgazette.com/news/annapolis/ac-cn-climate-strike-0315-story.html
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Climate Action in Seattle
Folks in Seattle held our LED banner reading Green New Deal over an interstate during commuting hours. They then went to a local park for the Youth Climate Strike, where they hung the banner on the fence to display among the other signs. The LED Banner was a popular spot for groups of youth to take pictures!
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Seattle projects messages against Venezuela intervention and #45
Seattle projectionistas found a clever spot to put messages to use.
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Human Orca Mural in Astoria
Team Backbone headed down to Astoria, Oregon, the mouth of the Columbia - one of the greatest salmon bearing rivers in the world - to create a Human Orca Mural during the FisherPoet gathering. We joined with people who love salmon and orca to show solidarity for breaching the dams on the Lower Snake River.
Pitch in to support our Save the Orca campaign at BackboneCampaign.org/orca_pitchin
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Portland Orca Bannering
Portland's 44th weekly bannering action for southern resident orcas!
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Bay Area 2019 International Womens Day projections
San Francisco Bay Area Solidarity Brigade partnered up with IWOC Oakland to project for International Women's Day.
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CPAC Field Trip
Activists went to the annual Conservative Political Action Confererence (CPAC) in National Harbor, MD to answer the question- how do conservatives feel about the declaration of a state of emergency at the southern border?
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Portland Projects to Urge Climate Chaos Prevention
Portland Crew mobilizes to further raise awareness and promote unity in the face of climate change chaos.
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Sunrise & XR Movement Guerrilla Light Projections in San Diego
The team used a covert location to project at the Kinder Morgan Mission Valley terminal.
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Citizens Arrest #45 at White House protest against State of Emergency
D.C. area activists mobilized Trump head in prison striped suit to protest at White House against Trump's fake state of emergency.
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LED light message at Olympia State of Emergency Protest
Locals came out to support a rally standing against the Fake Emergency declared by President #45.
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Light Projections at Fake State of Emergency Protest in Portland
The crew showed up to light up the protest with images.
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Portland Projections Catch Rush Hour Attention
Folks in Portland find the perfect place to project their messages of #WaterIsLife, Find a Dam Solution, and #GoFossilFree. Their projection was at least 100 feet wide and was seen by hundreds if not thousands of commuters on I84 in Portland Oregon.
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Portland Crashes Sen. Wyden Town Hall
Portland crew lit up the wall outside Sen. Wyden town hall.
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Portland Support for Terrorism Task Force Withdraw
Portland folks mobilized to support P.E.S.T.
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Green New Deal Projection: San Francisco
To celebrate the launch of the Green New Deal resolution, local activists projected onto the Federal Building in San Francisco, which is Speaker Pelosi's district office.
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Tallahassee Lobbying For Gun Control
500 people came from around the state of Florida to lobby state legislators in Tallahassee.
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Disability Integration Act Projection: DC
The DC team occupied the entrance area of Democratic HQ in DC with projections to accompany.
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Projection At PG&E Bankruptcy
On the night PG&E announced they would declare bankruptcy, the team projected onto their San Francisco headquarters.
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Unist'ot'en Solidarity: Wenatchee
Folks with 350Wenatchee went to Chase Bank for a projection to pressure the bank to stop funding fund fossil fuel projects, tar sands infrastructure, stop oppression of indigenous peoples.
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Save RVG from LNG: South Texas
Save RGV From LNG held a protest and a real public commenting session during the FERC hearing for Annova LNG.
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Baby Trump Flies At The Border
Backbone Organizers flew out to McAllen TX with only a few days of lead time to organize flying Baby Trump when President Trump came for his "Border Roundtable". LULAC hosted Backbone, and brought a busload of people from San Antonio down to protest Trump and help with the balloon. We successfully flew Baby Trump in front of the motorcade. Photos of the balloon were shown on CNN, USA today and other prominent news sites.
https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-border-visit-january-2019/index.html
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/10/trump-visits-border-mcallen-residents-ask-what-crisis/2535007002/
https://www.someecards.com/news/news/donald-trump-government-shutdown-mcallen-texas-border-wall/
https://www.themonitor.com/2019/01/10/photo-gallery-trumps-visit-mcallen/
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Homes Now!: Bellingham Projection
The Bellingham Team projected at the Gallery Walk to share information about Homes Now, and pass out flyers to folks on the street about the January Summit.
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Oscar Grant Memorial: Oakland
Ten years ago today, Oscar Grant was shot in the back by a BART officer here. Projected in honor of him, and those passing on the trains would have seen the light.
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Green New Deal Projection: Seattle
Cities across the country projected pro Green New Deal messaging before Christmas.
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Green New Deal Projection: LA
Roni plus local LA folks projected Green New Deal messaging at Pershing Sq in LA.
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"We Are All In This Together": DC Projection
The DC team projected "We Are All In This Together" for people attending Anne Arundel County Board of Education meeting.
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Save The Orca!: DC Army Corps Of Engineers
The DC team mobilized the inflatable orca and a banner in front of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and handed out flyers urging General Semonie to breach the Lower 4 Snake River Dams to save the salmon and orca.
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Breach The Snake River Dams!: DC Projection
The DC team projected at U.S. Dept of Commerce/NOAA and handed out flyers advocating for breaching of the four lower Snake River dams.
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Preparing for 2019
This month's news: Our Office Manager/Bookkeeper Judy Olson has retired, Human Orca Murals across Washington State, Baby Trump Southern California Tour, Solidarity Brigade progress, and upcoming events.
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Protest Chase Bank: Bellingham
The Bellingham team protested at the local Chase Bank to let customers know that they are financing climate destruction on Native Lands.
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No More Food Deserts, Safe Shelter for All!
The Bellingham team projected at a rally prior to Bellingham CIty Council meeting where the agenda included discussions of solutions for homeless in Bellingham for the winter, as well as the food dessert created by the consolidation of grocery stores.
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Orca Rally: Olympia
People rallied on the steps of the Temple of Justice building at The Washington State Capital in Olympia to insist that the Orca Task Force recommendations include breaching the Lower Dams on the Snake River.
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No LNG In South Texas
South Texas made their voices heard loud and clear that LNG is not welcome during the FERC DEIS public hearings.
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Human Orca Mural: Spokane
Backbone helped create a giant human orca mural and show Spokane cares about Washington's orca whales!
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