The Story of Plastic: BIPOC Viewing Party & Discussion
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, join Minneapolis Climate Action and MN Renewable Now for this FREE virtual community screening of newly released award-winning documentary "The Story of Plastic" with a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) panel discussion afterwards.
Panelists:
Stiv Wilson: Executive Producer, The Story of Plastic:
We are thrilled that Stiv will be able to join us again for the panel discussion!
State Senator Jeff Hayden A proponent of Environmental Legislation in MN
MN State Rep. Frank Hornstein:
A champion of zero waste and climate change legislation, who recently hosted a BIPOC zero waste action session at the state capital.
Jessica Arika from Hennepin County Green Partners
Charles Frempong-Longdon from the Sierra Club
Janiece Watts:
Policy advisor for Fresh Energy
Marco Hernandez:
Environmental Justice Officer at COPAL (Communities Organizing Latinx Power and Action)
And just as importantly - you, as a citizen who cares and will take action. (More about panelists below).
As you know, the current global situation has impacted in-person events taking place this spring. However, we have found a virtual solution.
In this unprecedented moment, it’s critical to ensure the voices of activists and marginalized communities are heard to stand up to big oil and businesses perpetuating the plastic crisis. Stories and film have a unique
ability to bridge divides and bring us together as part of something bigger than ourselves – to connect us and create empathy during perilous times.
"The Story of Plastic" takes a sweeping look at the man-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people who inhabit it. Watch, share, reflect, and take action to end the plastic crisis. We want you to leave the event with actions to take at the individual, city and state level and ways to hold corporations accountable.
Two ways to participate: But please get a free ticket no matter which one you choose, so we can keep track of participants:
1. You can watch the movie on your own with The Story of Plastic viewing link that you will get when you get your free ticket. Just click Tickets on this event page. The movie is available to view May 8th from 6:45pm to 10:30pm.
And then you can join us just for the discussion using this Zoom link after the movie at 8:45pm. (Zoom Link in the Tickets link, too)
2. You can watch the movie with us via this Zoom link in the Tickets link on this page starting at 6:45pm and use the Zoom chat to add comments, thoughts and questions and stay for the discussion after the movie.
THANKS for following this trail of steps as we connect during quarantine and that are also required by The Story of Plastic!
PLEASE do not share the link with others, post it online anywhere, or watch it multiple times, since we get a limited number of views with the link and want to make sure that everyone that signs up gets to see it.
Thank you and we look forward to a lively and productive discussion on a topic that can be overwhelming. And together, we can have an impact.
Hosts:
Kristel Porter: Executive Director of MN Renewable Now, a North Minneapolis-based nonprofit that familiarizes and educates the MN and Twin Cities community about renewable energies.
We establish relationships and build bridges around Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the World (with a focus on North & South Minneapolis Green Zones) in order to preserve the planet for future generations.
Kyle Samejima:
Executive Director of Minneapolis Climate Action, a Minneapolis nonprofit focused on equitable innovative climate action in our city.
Panelist Bios:
Janiece Watts
Policy Associate at Fresh Energy in St. Paul. Before joining Fresh Energy, Janiece worked as a community engagement manager for Eureka Recycling where she developed strategies and materials to educate and engage community members on zero waste and environmental justice. She previously worked as an environmental justice organizer to effectively reach the greater community of North Minneapolis and the Twin Cities on issues of environmental justice through outreach, events, community meetings, and political action. Janiece also served as an administrative assistant for Environmental Initiative, community organizer for Grassroots Solutions, and data analyst for the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. She has a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Political Science and Environmental Science, Policy and Management from the University of Minnesota. Janiece is a board member of Headwaters Foundation for Justice.
MN State Rep Frank Hornstein:
Rep Hornstein has been a State Rep since 2002 and is chair of the Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Division. He is a tireless champion of climate and environmental legislation. He currently is working on legislation related to renewable energy, incinerators and zero waste.
Marco Hernández:
Environmental Justice Organizer for COPALMN
Marco Hernández is originally from San Pablo, CA. His father is an immigrant from Puebla, Mexico and his mother is an immigrant from San Salvador, El Salvador. He moved to the Twin Cities in order to attend Macalester College. Marco recently graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Latin American Studies. With the knowledge he has gathered from academic, personal, and professional experiences, he is giving back and building power within communities that need it most. As the Environmental Justice Organizer at COPAL MN, he is working to fight for environmental issues with racial and economic disparities in mind, urging environmentalists and elected officials in the Twin Cities to think globally and act locally.
Stiv Wilson:
Executive Producer of The Story of Plastic and a waste and plastic pollution expert who is frequently asked to speak on solutions to the vexing inefficiencies in the materials economy all over the world. He’s created and led several campaigns to victory: from plastic bags bans, to plastic microbeads, to plastic water bottles at the state, national and international level. He has sailed over 35,000 nautical miles to four of the five oceanic ‘garbage patches,’ documenting and communicating maritime plastic pollution firsthand through publications, multi-media, and film.
RSVP On Facebook and register a ticket Eventbrite