UL's SPEAK organization hosts a gathering of eco-conscious youth at The Green Room on March 17.
Whether it is hugging a tree, protecting the Atchafalaya Basin, recycling or any number of other activities, Acadiana has a long history of environmental activism. Way before hippies fought the good fight in the 60s, old swamp Cajuns fought to keep their land from being polluted and stripped by energy companies. That tradition continues to today in the form of many local organizations. On St. Patrick's Day (March 17), UL's SPEAK (The Society for Peace, Environment, Action, and Knowledge) organization hosts a gathering at The Green Room in downtown Lafayette. It will be assembly of eco-conscious youth interested in green climate change, clean energy and green jobs. The meeting will also double as a kick-off party for a SPEAK road trip to Power Shift 2011, a national gathering of 10,000 young leaders in Washington, DC on April 15 who are focused on "reclaiming our democracy from big corporations and pushing our nation to move beyond dirty energy sources that are harming the health of people and the planet."
There will be live music by DJ Andre Broussard and Riffs of Griff, Riffs of Griff, free food from Subway, cool people and a bunch of fun. The SPEAK Power Shift 2011 kick-off party runs 6-8:30 p.m.