I am a bit late picking up on this, but if you're looking for something to do before the Vegan Convergence, or would rather be in a parade instead of go to a potluck, or this is of interest for any reason, check out the details of this parade involvement tomorrow:

Neighbors,

Join us to protest the coal trains planned to travel through N. Portland and along HWY 30.  This important issue effects our quality of life. The 6 to 12 mile-long trains per day will block our roads and coal dust will permeate our homes.

Join us for the parade, or just the after-party.

PARADE: Saturday, May 12
Meet at 8325 N. Central at Leavitt - near the St. Johns Community Center

Arrive around 9:30 as we need to leave at 9:45 am sharp to go to the parade staging area. We will proceed along Central Street to the check-in booth at N. Buchanan and Central near Roosevelt High School. If possible, dress in black and/or white. We will have black chalk if you want to smudge your clothes.  Wear a dust mask if you have one. We are required to enter the staging area as a group so please be on time.

AFTER PARADE PARTY: 1:30-ish Join us after the parade at 8325 N. Central (near the St.Johns Community Center) to discuss the issues, enjoy some old-time music, eat hot dogs and plan our next actions.

Please forward to anyone you think would be interested.

Thanks.

Marilyn

More info:

Marilyn Zornado

[address removed]

[masked]

 
FROM OREGONIAN ARTICLE - May 8th

"Toni Montgomery, who lives next to the railroad tracks along the Columbia River in Vancouver, said coal dust from two to three long coal trains a day running to Washington's Centralia power plant and Canadian ports coats her plants and home.

"It's everywhere in the yard," she said before speaking to the crowd. "Everywhere." Coal trains would run through the Columbia River Gorge and through Portland or Vancouver on their way to terminals.

NOTE: 6 to 12 mile-long trains a day are proposed to go daily through St. Johns and along HWY 30: Full article here:

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2012/05/activists_rally_in_portland_ag.html

More links here: www.derailcoal.org