On Friday, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) organized a parade of hybrid cars to converge on Washington DC to protest the $34 billion proposed bailout policies for automakers.   Executives from Chrysler, Ford and General Motors car companies are asking Congress for the loan package to help their companies stay afloat during the economic downturn.

According to Ted Glick, who organized the event, "We decided to do this kind of action to dramatize what is needed to help stabilize the climate and to keep the US auto industry alive.  We need high mileage cars, especially plug-in hybrids and, in the future, electric cars."

"It's time for Detroit to get serious about fuel efficiency, for the sake of the environment and for their sakes.  Investing in fuel efficiency is the only way to save the auto industry in the United States" relays Susanna Murley.

Car companies have lobbied Congress for years to prevent the passage of laws which would force the automobile industry to become more environmentally friendly.  They've also begun legal action against states like California and Maryland which passed clean and green laws requiring cars sold in those states to meet certain fuel efficiency standards. 

This is not the first year the group has organized hybrid car caravan parades.  In 2005, a caravan parade was held in Washington DC and last year, a caravan of hybrid cars drove through Annapolis, the state capital of Maryland.  The group chose to do a caravan parade on Friday because that is the day when auto executives are testifying at hearing before Congress.

CCAN hopes that Congress and the American auto industry executives that testified before Congress will hear their message loud and clear.  Americans want clean and green cars.  No bailout of the auto industry should happen without Congress creating legislation to require the manufacture of clean and green cars.

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