Statewide Week of Action in support the Climate and Community Investment Act & THRIVE Agenda planned for April 5-9th
Climate and Community Investment Act would invest $15 billion per year in renewable infrastructure, green jobs, and communities impacted by pollution and climate change
For immediate release: April 2, 2021
Contact: Arielle Swernoff | arielle@nyrenews.org | (646) 450-5461
New York, NY — Thousands of grassroots activists across New York State will mobilize as part of a “Climate, Jobs, and Justice Action Week” between April 5th - 9th, 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 an 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.
Spearheaded by the multi-sectoral NY Renews coalition, which organized for the passage of NY Renew’s landmark 2019 climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and Indivisible groups in NYS, the Climate Jobs, and Justice Action week aims to center the CCIA and THRIVE Agenda as must-pass policies for the remainder of the legislative session. Over 15 State Senators, and 280 leading union, racial justice, climate, faith, and community organizations have endorsed the CCIA.
From Long Island to Buffalo, communities impacted by unemployment, disinvestment, legacy pollution, and Covid-19 will take action to demand real, bottom-up climate justice policy. Actions include:
A kick off rally featuring CCIA Sponsors Senator Kevin Parker and Assemblymember Kevin Cahill on Monday, April 5th at 12pm. Details can be found here.
Rallies throughout New York State, including in NYC, Long Island, Albany, Ithaca, and Buffalo, on April 7th. Details can be found here.
A town hall featuring Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Friday, April 9 at 6:30pm. Details can be found here.
A “Jammin for Jobs” event with NYC artists and activists in partnership with the Working Families Party making joyful noise in support of the THRIVE agenda. Details can be found here.
To connect with grassroots activists organizing for a just, green recovery to the climate crisis during the week of April 5, contact arielle@nyrenews.org.
“In Buffalo, we know firsthand that climate justice beats in the heart of the work necessary to achieve racial, economic, and public health justice in our communities. The Climate and Community Investment Act and THRIVE Agenda represent the kind of equitable and inclusive policies needed to build an economy that works for everyone. This has always been our fight at PUSH Buffalo, and we continue to fight for the hardworking people of New York State who deserve this justice, too,” said Rahwa Ghirmatzion, Executive Director of PUSH Buffalo.
“The climate crisis must be addressed as soon as possible. We in upstate NY are already feeling the effects of climate change on our farms, forests, and neighborhoods. The state legislature will set an example of climate leadership by passing the CCIA, our best chance to preserve this beautiful part of the world for our children and grandchildren,” said Kathy Collett, Clinton, NY, Indivisible Mohawk Valley
“This week of action will show just how ready New Yorkers are for real, transformative change. New York led the nation on climate justice and bold climate action when we passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in 2019, with the support of the hundreds of member organizations that make up the NY Renews coalition. But that was just one step: now, New Yorkers are demanding real investments from our state and federal government to live up to our climate promises and provide a just recovery to our current interlocking crises. We need to pass the CCIA in New York, and we need the THRIVE Agenda in Washington,” said Xaver Kandler, Lead Coalition Organizer for NY Renews.
###