On June 2, 2001, more than 60 activists braved the elements to gather in Lynn, Massachusetts for SUV Action Day. The event started with a rally at the Lynn commuter rail station, featuring speeches by Bill McKibben, Rev. Fred Small, and others. We then proceeded to Atlantic Toyota and the Pride dealerships (Chevrolet, Hyundai, and Lincoln-Mercury) on the Lynnway, accompanied by a fleet of hybrid vehicles and an SUV decorated by public artist John Tagiuri.

The aim of the event was primarily to raise awareness of the effect SUVs have on the environment, with their low fuel efficiency and high output of greenhouse gases. Even before the event started, its impact was felt: the rows of SUVs that previously lined the front of the dealers' lots had been moved discreetly to the back, replaced by smaller cars; and Michael Iovanna, president of Pride Motor Group, told the Boston Globe that he had spent the two days prior to the event researching environmentally friendly technologies being developed by Ford and GM.

Despite the cold and rain, demonstrators' spirits were boosted by chants, clever and trenchant posters, our passing parade of hybrid cars and a gas-loving SUV. The event received coverage in the Christian Science Monitor, Boston Globe, and Boston Independent Media Center; we hope that the idea will catch on and that other communities will organize their own SUV Actions across the country.

Links

http://www.suv.org
http://www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/suvreport/index.asp
http://www.ucsusa.org

Public artist John Tagiuri's SUV Tickets look like the real thing -- bright orange with a big "VIOLATION" on them. But closer inspection reveals MPG comparisons, essential facts about SUV emissions and climate change, and links to more information. The Earth on Empty campaign recently succeeded in blanketing all of Cambridge and Somerville, MA, in a single night with tickets on big SUVs. If you want to help spread these around or find out more about the campaign, visit their website: www.EarthOnEmpty.com.

Poster Sayings

Stop Driving Global Warming
Seriously Unnecessary Vehicle
Spewing Unclean Vapors
Smog's Ultimate Victory
W. W. J. D. -- What Would Jesus Drive?
Ford Extinction, No Distinction!
Test Drive Your Feet, Walk Away from SUV's
Have You Hugged Your Exhaust Pipe Today?
Clean Cars Now!
SUVs: Unsafe for Children and Other Living Things
Save the Glaciers
SUV = Global Warming
Buying a Car is the Most Important Environmental Decision You Make this Year
Your Car Purchase Affects Our Children's Future
High MPG Cars Rule
And of course: Adbusters' "What was that bump?"

Chant Lyrics

Call-response (to the tune of a military marching chant):

Chevy Lincoln Mercury

Want to sell you an SUV

Lots of things that they can do

Like making lots of CO2

You can drive it through the mud

When the rivers start to flood

Well I don't need no SUV

Riding a bike is fine for me

I don't need to burn no gas

My two wheels go mighty fast

I don't need no four-wheel drive

That's just advertising jive

I want cars that are safe and clean

Not some gas-guzzling machine

I don't know but I've been told

The ice is gone at the North Pole

Global warming ain't no fun

So don't buy a car that weighs a ton

I just came out here to say

There's got to be a better way