FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Contact: Phil Aroneanu, 350.org, 551.486.5833
Whit Jones, Energy Action Coalition, 914.671.1880
Anne Havemann, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, 202.997.2466

Clean Energy Supporters Deliver “Obama, This Is Your Crude Awakening” Banner to White House
In wake of grave environmental disaster, DC and Gulf residents unite for clean, safe, energy

Washington, D.C. (5/11/10)—DC-area residents marched from the Department of Interior to the White House today to present a 50-foot-long banner with the message, "President Obama: this is your crude awakening." The banner was signed by Gulf residents on Saturday and demanded that President Obama drop his dangerous support for offshore oil and gas drilling in favor of clean, renewable energy instead.

Since the initial oil rig explosion on April 20, millions of Americans have voiced outrage at what some are calling the worst environmental catastrophe in a generation. Approximately 3.3 million gallons have spilled so far.

"This just reminds us, in a powerful way, how dirty the energy we rely on is," said environmental writer Bill McKibben. "If anything good is going to come out of this, it'll be because it focuses our attention -- but more palpably, focuses the president's attention -- on questions of dirty energy."

After the rally, a number of participants planned on attending the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee’s hearing on the oil spill. Many wore black t-shirts that said “Energy Shouldn’t Cost Lives.”

"The American people know that energy shouldn’t cost lives. BP’s oil spill has reinvigorated a growing national movement to prevent Big Oil from writing our energy policy and hold President Obama accountable to his campaign promises of independence from oil," said Rebecca Tarbottom of Rainforest Action Network.

Many rally participants traveled into D.C. from Virginia to voice their opposition to offshore drilling. Virginia is on track to become the first state on the East Coast to open its shores to offshore oil drilling now that President Obama has announced plans to lift a 20-year moratorium.

Last Thursday the Department of the Interior postponed hearings on a proposed lease sale off Virginia’s coast. Despite the delay, Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell believes that the lease sale, planned for early 2012, will go forward as planned.

“Virginians don’t want dangerous oil drilling off their coast to satisfy just six days’ worth of U.S. demand,” said Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “Instead of expanding offshore oil drilling, Virginia should be leading the way in developing offshore wind power. Wind, not oil, is the right direction for Virginia and for the nation.”

Photo, credit Chris Eichler: http://www.flickr.com/photos/350org/tags/crudeawakening

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