Bucks Liberation Coalition (BLC), a teen-run social justice group dedicated to political education, mutual aid, and cultivating community engagement, will be hosting an Earth Day Fundraiser Concert at the Old Bucks County Courthouse Lawn (55 East Court Street, Doylestown, PA, 18901) Saturday from 3-6 p.m. Admission will be $10 and 90 percent of the profits will be going to an Indigenous organization called Seeding Sovereignty.
“We decided to raise money for Seeding Sovereignty because we felt that environmental racism is such a real and huge issue, but it isn’t discussed nearly as much as other environmental issues,” says CB West Senior and BLC Director of Finances CJ Weintraub. “BIPOC are disproportionately affected by climate change and the negative effects of industrialization— whether it’s poor air quality, energy poverty, food instability, and more. Seeding Sovereignty is a wonderful organization dedicated to providing resources and reclamation for Indigenous communities, which we felt was extremely relevant to what we are fighting for!”
Seeding Sovereignty, according to its mission statement, looks to “disrupt colonized spaces through land, body, and food sovereignty work, community building, and cultural preservation.” They focus on a multitude of issues, including reproductive justice, missing Indigenous people, and teaching food sovereignty to fight climate change exacerbated food scarcity.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, climate change has severe mental and physical effects on Native people. Many Indigenous communities have strong connections to land, wildlife, and nature. These connections are integral to mental and spiritual health. Due to a changing climate and loss of land, these connections are being damaged, which then creates mental and spiritual distress. Physical effects are caused by polluted water and air. Indigenous communities living in industrial areas are exposed to dangerous air pollution, which in turn causes respiratory illnesses. Polluted water is usually the only water available on reservations, and polluted oceans kill the fish or crustaceans needed for food. A lack of access to traditional food can lead to poor nutrition, obesity, and diabetes, the EPA also notes.
The climate change conversation is constantly evolving. Topics oscillate between animal extinction, recycling, and rising sea levels. Despite this, Native Americans are almost always forgotten or blatantly excluded from the conversation – and yet, they are one of the communities that is affected by climate change the most. Their exclusion is no surprise due to America’s violent colonial history, but that makes it no less detrimental.
Bucks Liberation Coalition is using this event to help change this conversation. The musical lineup includes: Asher Mills, Ratwyfe, Mister Monster, Erin Incoherent, The Bottom of This, and Public Restroom. In addition to live music, the concert will have vending from Evolution Candy, snacks and crochet items for sale, along with tabling from the Rainbow Room and A Woman’s Place.
According to Jasmine Craig, the Prevention and Empowerment Programs Manager at A Woman’s Place, AWP’s mission is intertwined with Indigenous sovereignty.
“AWP is here to support and celebrate non-violence in our community by being a part of community and individual thriving! Prevention of domestic and intimate partner violence in our community includes supporting Land Back principles like cultural and tribal autonomy and Native/Indigenous/tribal leadership to foster social change. We are excited to be one of many community organizations, like Bucks Liberation Coalition, that supports community thriving and anti-violence,” said Craig.
Bucks Liberation Coalition is very thankful for their community sponsors who have helped spread the word about the event: Bucks County Anti-Racism Coalition, the Rainbow Room, The Yoga Gnome, Rise Up Doylestown, A Woman’s Place, Nomad Supply Co., Allora, and most importantly – Evolution Candy for vending and Remedy Electrical Society for assistance with sound.
Joe Montone is a Concert & Experiences Producer, Musician and Community Advocate from Doylestown, PA. His focus has always been to build community through powerful live performances. Though he has been producing for over 13 years, Remedy Electrical Society began in 2021 to expand upon this mission. Remedy is responsible for curating live music at Puck as well as the outdoor block party concert series in the Doylestown Borough called Picnics On Pine.
“Bringing ideas or words into action is so important. And that’s what Bucks Liberation is doing with such inspiring work like the Earth Day Concert,” said Montone. “When I was in high school, I had no access to this type of education or information. So, it’s an honor to help amplify youth voices that are part of making a collective change from our backyard.”
The Bucks Liberation Team is so very excited to see you and all of your friends at the Old Bucks County Courthouse Lawn this Saturday. Because it is on a lawn, concert-goers are invited to bring blankets and chairs.
In the words of Chief Crowfoot:
“Hold on to what is good, Even if it’s a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe, Even if it’s a tree that stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do, Even if it’s a long way from here.”
