June, 29 2021, 02:24pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Jennifer K. Falcon,,jennifer@ienearth.org
Indigenous, Climate & Racial Justice Activists Will Sit-In at White House Entrances on Wednesday
Many expected to risk arrest; visuals include a giant 100-ft pipeline snake.
WASHINGTON
Indigenous, climate justice, and racial justice advocates are planning to sit-in at the entrances to the White House on Wednesday to demand that President Biden stop fossil fuel projects like the Line 3 pipeline and put climate justice at the heart of his infrastructure plans.
Visuals will include a 100-ft black "pipeline" snake, giant models of oil derricks and wind turbines, large banners, and more.
Joining the protest will be representatives from across the country who are being harmed every day by the President's inaction on fossil fuels.
Over a hundred people are expected to join the protest and risk arrest. The protest is the second major climate demonstration at the White House this week.
Who: The demonstration is being led by the Indigenous Environmental Network and Arm-in-Arm, a national movement for climate justice. Participants will include leaders of frontline fossil fuel fights from across the country, including the controversial Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota, the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Virginia, oil drilling in Alaska, and more. More information is available at j30.earth.
What: Sit-ins at each of the White House entrances to protest President Biden's lack of action on fossil fuels, Indigenous rights, and climate justice.
Where: Participants will be gathering at Freedom Plaza near the White House. Teams will then deploy to each of the White House entrances to sit-in.
When: Participants will gather and be available for interviews starting at 7:00am at Freedom Plaza. The action is expected to begin at 7:30am.
Why: Organizers say, "While fires rage out west and storms threaten the Gulf, President Biden is busy meeting with Republicans and failing us all on climate. If he wants to be a climate champion, time is running out, just as it is running out for our communities. There is no room for compromise when it comes to the very survival of our planet. Please join us on June 30th to be a part of the movement that changes the trajectory of this administration so that the White House stands up for the rights of our communities instead of doing the bidding of corporate polluters."
They're demanding:
PROTECT PEOPLE, NOT POLLUTERS!
Use your executive authority to stop approving fossil fuel projects and declare a climate emergency. Fossil fuel pipelines, infrastructure, exports, and leases fuel the climate emergency, pollute in Black & Brown communities, and violate treaty rights. Act now to end the era of fossil fuel production, protect our communities, and Build Back Fossil Free.
PASS A CLIMATE JUSTICE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL!
Use your bully pulpit to make sure Congress includes strong climate, Indigenous rights, housing justice, racial justice, and transit justice commitments in an infrastructure bill. Build on the Thrive Agenda, end fossil fuel subsidies and enact a renewable energy standard with no gas or other false solutions.
Established in 1990 within the United States, IEN was formed by grassroots Indigenous peoples and individuals to address environmental and economic justice issues (EJ). IEN's activities include building the capacity of Indigenous communities and tribal governments to develop mechanisms to protect our sacred sites, land, water, air, natural resources, health of both our people and all living things, and to build economically sustainable communities.
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