EDITOR’S NOTE: What an experience! To hear the drum and chants of the dragon boat team as they pulled into the dock with paddling precision on Saturday July 25th was a site to behold. The cadre of paddlers were united in their efforts to bring attention to environmental concerns and much more destruction by the current administration. The idea for a paddle came from a connection made with Audacity CAT – Creative Action Together – a group in Rockport, Maine. Yes, on the exact opposite coast. They saw the North County Resistance story and weekly protests, reached out to the Pioneer and shared that they have also been protesting weekly on the other Coast. Does anyone really see these protests? Do they make a difference? This contact shows just how much of a reach these actions have – here on the upper left edge on the Pacific Coast – have reached across the country! Audacity CAT does several paddle protests as a Supreme Court Justice has a home on an island just off their coast. Go to www.audacitycat.com to see the photos. So paddles up from coast to coast!!
By Romy Carver, Photos & Video by Don Backman
Indivisible Tillamook Coast Action held a kayak protest last Saturday, July 25th, starting at the Wheeler boat launch, which brought together the local kayaking community.
Twenty-eight protesters braved the slightly drizzly weather for a paddle up the Nehalem River to the Nehalem launch, and some made the return trip as well. The paddling conditions were ideal — no wind and one of the paddlers described the water as “Perfect, like silk.” Fourteen kayaks and canoes, and a stand up paddleboard joined a 12-person Tide Runners dragon boat team to protest and draw attention to the current federal administration’s actions that have impacted our environment. A couple of hardy souls were even cheering them on with signs from the highway bridge just south of Nehalem. Three eagles graced the paddling group as they made their way up river – circling and seranding to provide their majestic approval for standing up – paddling up for democracy, life, liberty and justice for all.
The focus on environmental concerns included the sale of public lands, which would impact kayakers, hikers, fishermen, hunters, farmers, and anyone who accesses public lands and wishes to preserve them. The group is also concerned with issues such as cutting of personnel and funding in National Parks, reducing national monument land, mining and drilling in environmentally sensitive areas that were formerly protected, and rollback of climate change initiatives.
This is one of many unique protests nationwide to draw attention to issues that affect local communities. Not even the Oregon Coast drizzle can stop the exercise of First Amendment rights, and participants look forward to future kayak protests for those who were disappointed to miss this one.
