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REVEL, RAN’s 25th birthday party was a smashing success on Thursday night, as almost 500 people came together to celebrate a quarter century of activism and victories challenging the power of corporations over our democracy and our environment. California jam band the Mother Hips got people on the floor dancing and Grateful Dead alum and RAN supporter Bob Weir even joined them for a set at the end of the evening. Honorary board member Bonnie Raitt was in attendance looking as beautiful and confident as she did when she got arrested with us to help stop old growth logging.
Check out our photos from the evening, tag yourself and share them around with your friends.
The event also honored five leaders of the environmental movement: Robert F Kennedy, Jr, Amy Goodman, Teri Blanton, Rivani Noor and Uki Setara.
Amy Goodman reminded us that the power of free speech can never be taken for granted and warned against the corporate takeover of our democracy that is happening in our country.
And, of course, Teri Blanton brought down the house with her charm, wit and courage. Her stories of her decades fighting mountaintop removal coal mining were powerful reminders that we can indeed change the world if only we have enough grit to take a stand.
As RFK Jr reminded us with a powerful Frederick Douglass quote:
“If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation…want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightening. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters…. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”
RAN has struggled for freedom for 25 years and plans to keep up the fight – to stop deforestation of the world’s last remaining rainforests, to halt climate change and to push companies towards respect for the human rights of all citizens.
If you couldn’t join us last night – you can still donate or take action to support our fight. We’re proud to stand at the front of a movement for change and we can’t do it without you.