The crowd got fired up at the first stop in Little Rock.
Little Rock, Ark. was the destination for the Hip Hop Caucus Clean Energy Now! bus tour yesterday, as two colleges brought the excitement for clean energy and climate legislation.
At Philander Smith College, 450 from New Orleans, the tour was greeted by a crowd of 100 people.
Reverend Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus moderated the program while speakers Pastor J. Barrington Minix, State Senator Joyce Elliot explained the importance of a clean energy economy to the livelihoods of local communities in Little Rock. Students rose to their feet and once again danced to the beats of hip hop artists, like local artists 607, DJ Peazy Baby and Epiphany.
It wasn’t the numbers that made the biggest impression at the event at Philander Smith College, it was the incredible show of energy and enthusiasm. And as the speakers explained how transitioning to a clean energy economy would help them, the enthusiasm grew even stronger.
With the same line up at Arkansas Baptist College, another 100 students turned out to welcome the Hip Hop Clean Energy Now! Bus Tour. At this stop, their was a local interest and emphasis on the importance of weatherization and clean energy development projects. Panelists explain how we can create 1.9 million new jobs across America and rebuild our communities from the ground up by making a commitment to clean energy and even simple steps like weatherization can save families 32% on their energy bills. “This is practical policy,” said Rev. Yearwood. “But, if we don’t come together to help shape policy, policy will shape us.”
By the end of the event at Arkansas Baptist, people were lining up to share their support for clean energy on the Repower Wall and two students were so inspired by Rev. Yearwood, State Senator Joyce Elliott and the rest of the speakers that they took clipboards from staff and signed up every one of their classmates to join the campaign.
The tour heads to Columbia, Mo. today, ready for a big weekend.
