Protest in Burlington - VIDEOS and PICS

As promised in this week's Phoenix ("Mainers, Occupiers Rally in Vermont" - on the TJI page - link's not up online yet), here are some photos and videos from this Sunday's protest in Burlington. Quick recap, for those who haven't yet read the piece: about 500 people joined a demonstration in Vermont on Sunday, timed to coincide with the 36th annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers. They were riled up about everything from greedy capitalism to energy policy to Native American rights. 

The local chapter of the Sierra Club chartered a bus to Burlington, filled with activists (including some Occupy Maine folks as well as a bunch who are involved with the local branch of 350.org) who oppose the idea of tar sands oil coming through New England, right past Sebago Lake, and into Casco Bay. 

They joined a boisterous march from City Hall to Battery Park, near the Hilton Hotel where the governors were meeting.

Later, they joined in a "spiral dance" while singing:

"There is power in our voices/ There is power in the land/ Saying yes to the earth/ We say no to tar sands."

And then, the majority wearing black, the group spread slowly and silently down the street toward the Hilton.

In front of the hotel, they laid down on the ground, and after a few moments of silence, a voice began to sing "This Land Is Your Land." Hotel guests peered out their windows. 

Turns out, Governor Paul LePage wasn't even there. He sent a representative in his place.