River Defenders Rise Today!

Rios Libres gathering for the 2018 Day of Action for Rivers in Batía Acantilada, Puerto Aysen, Patagonia, Chile .
Rios Libres gathering for the 2018 Day of Action for Rivers in Batía Acantilada, Puerto Aysen, Patagonia, Chile .
Rios Libres

Today, all over the world, people are gathering to protect and celebrate rivers. 

You’re writing to elected officials. You’re organizing river cleanups. You’re holding seminars, bike rides, river walks and film screenings. This is true from Mongolia to Argentina, from Brazil to Bangladesh. We’ve already logged over 100 events in at least 37 countries.

This is a remarkable moment. 

In a time of division, we are finding connection and common cause – across languages, cultures and borders. We know that more unites us than divides us. And we know that we must join hands to protect our rivers, because they are essential to our future on this planet.

We face strong headwinds. Pollution, dams, climate change and authoritarian regimes threaten our lands and waters and our right to a healthy environment. 

But we have also seen signs of hope. 

In New Zealand, our Maori sisters and brothers waged a 175-year-long fight to win personhood status for their river – and they won! Read their story to see the true face of persistence.

Let’s take inspiration from the Maori. And today, on the 21st annual Day of Action for Rivers, let’s feel our strength as a movement. Yes, the road ahead may be long, but our time is now. The rivers can’t wait. 

Together, we can move mountains - and free rivers! For the sake of people, water and life.

Date: 
Wednesday, March 14, 2018