NY Renews & Indivisible host town hall with US Senator Schumer and NY State Senator Gianaris on THRIVE Agenda and CCIA
Hundreds attended event, capping a “Climate, Jobs, and Justice” Action week in support of climate justice legislation from the state and federal government
For immediate release: April 9, 2021
Contact: Arielle Swernoff | arielle@nyrenews.org | (646) 450-5461
New York, NY — Earlier this evening, the NY Renews coalition and NYS Indivisible held a town hall featuring US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and NYS Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris about the THRIVE Agenda and the Climate and Community Investment Act. Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE and co-chair of the Climate Justice Alliance, provided opening remarks.
During the town hall, US Senator Schumer spoke about the need to pass the THRIVE Agenda in Congress. He highlighted the need for electric vehicle infrastructure, unionized climate and energy jobs, and strengthening nation-to-nation relationships with sovereign native nations. NYS Senator Michael Gianaris talked about the fight for the Climate and Community Investment Act, including plans to center environmental justice and create union jobs.
The town hall was the capstone event of NY Renews and NYS Indivisible’s “Climate, Jobs, and Justice Action Week”, during which thousands of grassroots activists across New York State mobilized, demanding the passage of the Climate and Community Investment Act in New York State and the THRIVE Agenda in Congress to create green jobs, combat the climate crisis, ensure all communities have access to clean and healthy air and water, and build an economy that works for all.
The actions reflect the growing movement for a transformative economic recovery plan, one that addresses the interlocking crises of climate change, racial injustice, mass unemployment, and the pandemic and broad public health crisis. Activists organizing during the federal and state legislative recess will urge Congress, President Biden, Governor Cuomo, and the New York State legislature to go big with policy that centers climate, jobs, and justice.
“Climate change is an existential threat that worsens the racial and economic inequalities the coronavirus pandemic has laid bare,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “After passing the historic American Rescue Plan to provide relief to the American people, we have a unique opportunity to pass a big, bold recovery plan that confronts the climate threat, reinvests in communities of color, and creates good-paying, union jobs. Under my leadership, Senate Democrats will not miss this once-in-a-generation chance to tackle the climate crisis and build a more just and sustainable economy. I am grateful for the extraordinary grassroots energy NY Renews, WFP and NYS Indivisible have shown over the past week. As an original sponsor of the THRIVE agenda, I will fight hard to make sure that the recovery bill we pass incorporates as much of THRIVE as possible. I look forward to working in partnership with my Democratic colleagues in Congress, organizers, and advocates to get this done.”
“Those of us on the frontlines know that the crises of racial violence, economic injustice, and climate change are interlocked — so our solutions must be, too. We need a just, green recovery, one that creates good, green jobs in our communities, generates clean air and healthy neighborhoods for all, especially those overburdened by legacy pollution, and centers the knowledge and needs of frontline communities,” said Elizabeth Yeampierre, UPROSE Executive Director and Climate Justice Alliance Co-Chair. “New York has long been a leader, setting the tone for bold climate policy and expanding what other states and Congress see as politically possible. When we pass the Climate and Community Investment Act here in New York, and the THRIVE Act in Congress, we’ll be taking meaningful steps towards building a just recovery, and just transition, for all.”
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