West Roxbury, MA – On June 29, 2016, 12 faith leaders and 11 others were peacefully arrested while obstructing the construction of the West Roxbury Lateral pipeline. Led by Buddhist, Jewish, Protestant, and Unitarian clergy, a climate mass graves funeral was held, featuring eulogies, prayers, and mourning. Following the funeral, some clergy and protesters lay on the side of the trench, halting construction, while others simulated the victims of deadly heat waves in Pakistan and India by lying in the trench itself.
The action aimed to draw attention to how projects like the West Roxbury Lateral contribute to deadly global climate change by further entrenching reliance on fossil fuels. As evidence mounts regarding the high rates of leaked methane from fracking and gas pipelines, the climate movement has intensified its resistance to new fracked gas projects.
Among those lying in the trench was Karenna Gore, director of the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and daughter of former Vice President Al Gore. Also participating was Tim DeChristopher, known as Bidder 70 for disrupting a government oil and gas lease auction in 2008, resulting in 21 months of federal prison.
“This pipeline trench is our anticipatory mass grave in the age of climate crisis,” stated Tim DeChristopher during a speech before his arrest.
Many of the clergy involved had previously taken action on May 25, when 16 faith leaders led a prayer service at the pipeline trench, resulting in arrests for trespassing and disturbing the peace.
“As religious leaders, we are compelled to take bold non-violent action in the face of climate crisis,” said Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman of Temple Sinai.
Despite opposition from Boston city officials, including Mayor Marty Walsh, and federal representatives, construction of the West Roxbury Lateral pipeline continues under authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Concerned citizens, represented by Resist the Pipeline & Stop the West Roxbury Lateral (SWRL), are attempting to halt construction before it reaches the Metering and Regulating station, located near the West Roxbury Crushed Stone Co. quarry. Residents are concerned about the seismic impact of both the pipeline and quarry blasts on their homes and safety.
The ongoing resistance underscores the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect communities from environmental hazards.