Activist and author Bill McKibben was sprung from jail on Monday, as were the dozens of others arrested on Saturday at the start of a two-week protest against the proposed Keystone XL tar-sands pipeline. Videographer/photographer Jay Mallin was on the scene outside the courthouse to record the mood. McKibben said the freed protestors may have looked a bit saggy because they’d lost their belts, but that wasn’t bringing them down: “Our pants may be low but our spirits are high, and our determination intact.” He was excited to learn that the New York Times editorial board had come out strongly against the pipeline on Sunday.
More than 160 people have been arrested so far while taking part in the protest in front of the White House, and people from around the country continue to pour in to make their voices heard. Hear some of their voices in this video. The sit-in will continue through Sept. 3. Find out more and support the cause at TarSandsAction.org.
Editor’s note: Bill McKibben serves on Grist’s board of directors.
