FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 9, 2023
Contact: Elizabeth Ward, elizabeth.ward@sierraclub.org
ICYMI: Water Protectors Earn 2nd Place in Applefest Parade
BAYFIELD- Yesterday, water protectors marched in Bayfield’s Applefest Parade as fish and other critters in a cloth “river.” Activists also carried a 6-ft globe, showing how fragile our planet is, and others handed out fish candy to parade attendees. The float earned the 2nd Place award in the non-profit category.
Jan Penn, a local activist who helped coordinate the float, explained, “As we celebrate fall and all the beautiful things nature has to offer, we felt it was important to celebrate our water and all of the life it supports- from fish to critters to all of us. We were honored to see this message recognized with a second-place award.”
The float was designed and created by the 350-Wisconsin Art Collective. “We use art in our messaging because it speaks to the heart and soul of this issue. While attendees enjoy the colorful dancing critters they’re also reminded of how much life the water supports,” described Russ Bennett, a leader of the Art Collective.
Photo credit: Devon Cupery. More photos available upon request. Watch the livestream here.
“This is another demonstration that the community is unwilling to let Enbridge put our water at risk. We’re hoping the Biden Administration also recognizes the importance of the water in the area and shuts down Line 5,” stated Barb Bell, a Highbridge resident whose opposition to the proposed Line 5 expansion is based on the damage caused by the extreme flooding experienced in 2016. “This is no place for a tar sands oil pipeline, where a spill could ruin our water,” she said.
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