Climbing was one of the many activities at the eco-action camp. To book your own camp go to the Freedom from Oil website

ECO-ACTION CAMP HITS ALBERTA

In the wake of a major oil spill in Alberta and Dick Cheney's proposed visit to accelerate Alberta's tar sand development local and international environmental groups have gotten together to give Albertans a way to fight back and kick their oil addiction. The camp involved 60 young people from around the world to learn about non-violent market based campaigning.

The camp brought international organizers from Global Exchange, the Ruckus Society, and the Rainforest Action Network among others to educate participants on everything from grassroots organizing and media and legal rights to non-violent direct action and lock down tactics.

"The camp had something for everyone. Our goal was to encourage citizen activism and to provide tools," said Mike Hudema, Jumpstart Ford campaigner for the peace and human Rights organization Global Exchange. "Alberta's economy is based on a non-renewable resource. In the wake of disasters like Hurrican Rita and Hurricane Katrina we should be thinking of ways to switch to sustainable energy sources rather that increasing our addiction to non-renewable ones. Oil dependence endangers our environment, human rights, and our economy"

Participants from the camp are already designing plans to participate in the Boreal Day of Action (Nov. 3rd) the Ford Day of Action (Nov. 12) and to stop the development of the tarsands.

If you want to bring a camp to your area go to the Freedom from Oil website