A group of youth climate activists traveled 266 miles across California demanding more action from lawmakers on the climate crisis, a trip that ended outside of the homes of Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiNew Mexico Democrat Stansbury sworn into Haaland’s old seat Greene apologizes for comparing vaccine rules to Holocaust Overnight Health Care: Biden pleads for more people to get vaccinated | Harris highlights COVID-19 vaccination safety | Novavax COVID-19 vaccine shown highly effective in trial MORE (D-Calif.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Dianne Emiel FeinsteinProgressives want to tighten screws beyond Manchin and Sinema ‘If this thing qualifies, I’m toast’: An oral history of the Gray Davis recall in California The big myths about recall elections MORE (D-Calif.) on Monday.
More than 100 people crossed the Golden Gate Bridge in the final stretch of the march, organized by the Sunrise Movement, calling for President Biden
Joe BidenFormer Rep. Rohrabacher says he took part in Jan. 6 march to Capitol but did not storm building Saudis picked up drugs in Cairo used to kill Khashoggi: report Biden looking to build momentum for Putin meeting MORE to support the Green New Deal and a Civilian Climate Corps.
The “Generation on Fire” march began five weeks ago in the city of Paradise, Calif., where the 2018 Camp fire displaced almost 50,000 people and burned nearly 19,000 structures.
“What do we want? A Green New Deal!” they chanted. “When do we want it? Now!”
BREAKING: 100+ young people in Sunrise Movement California march across the Golden Gate Bridge on mile 260 for final action demanding @SpeakerPelosi @SenFeinstein and @POTUS pass a bold and transformative #CivilianClimateCorps for good jobs to fight the climate crisis pic.twitter.com/mg54h2J4P1
— Generation on Fire (@smvmtgenonfire) June 14, 2021
We have a message for @SpeakerPelosi and @SenFeinstein:
We’re here and ready to do the work to fight the climate crisis at scale.
Either work with us—or find yourself a new job. The #CivilianClimateCorps should be hiring.
Join us today: https://t.co/ULvSu6Ge0H pic.twitter.com/ek5dDRWYPE
— Generation on Fire (@smvmtgenonfire) June 14, 2021
The advocates scattered ashes from the wildfire — the most destructive in the state’s history — on the porch of Pelosi’s San Francisco mansion, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
They left behind a street mural reading “Invest in us,” though it was quickly power-washed away by city workers, according to the newspaper.
Our 266 mile march from Paradise to San Francisco ends at the home of @SpeakerPelosi
We demand a #CivilianClimateCorps—and we painted our transformative political vision on the street below her mansion.
Step up or step aside for good jobs to fight the climate crisis at scale. pic.twitter.com/UvnpCP4bB8
— Generation on Fire (@smvmtgenonfire) June 15, 2021
In a statement provided to the Chronicle from a spokeswoman, Pelosi called the climate crisis “the existential threat of our time” and said the activists were “an inspiration.”
They also visited the Pacific Heights home of Feinstein, who is the co-sponsor of the Civilian Climate Corps Act.
“These young leaders are right — climate change is one of the greatest crises we’re facing,” Feinstein said in a statement to The Hill.
1) this is powerful stuff after a 266 mile march
2) how does a senator @SenFeinstein have shrubbery like that during a historic drought. WTF? https://t.co/PFjdd7RaLs
— Aaryaman “Sunny” Singhal (@SinghalAaryaman) June 15, 2021
The marchers also delivered dozens of letters from residents of Paradise to the lawmakers’ offices, Mother Jones reported.
Other Sunrise members marched along the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Houston, amid hurricane season.
The organization will come together in Washington, D.C., on June 24 to protest outside of the White House.
Biden’s American Jobs Plan would create a Civilian Climate Corps as well as other measures to address climate change, but the infrastructure plan has faced pushback from both sides of the aisle.
The White House has made efforts to work with Republicans to come to an agreement over infrastructure.
In addition, five Senate Republicans and five Senate Democrats unveiled a proposal just under $1 trillion last week. However, Democrats say that the plan does not do enough to tackle climate change. Sen. Ed Markey
Ed MarkeyClimate progressives launch first action against Biden amid growing frustration Senate Democrats urge Google to conduct racial equity audit Senate climate advocates start digging in on infrastructure goals MORE (D-Mass.), a proponent of the Green New Deal, and Sen. Jeff Merkley
Jeff MerkleyDemocrats mull overhaul of sweeping election bill Chicago police officer arrested for role in Capitol riot Democrats reintroduce bill to create ‘millionaires surtax’ MORE (D-Ore.) told reporters Tuesday that they will only support legislation that is part of a guaranteed agreement to invest massively in clean energy infrastructure.
The marchers claim that Biden’s American Jobs Plan is not enough to tackle issues related to climate change without the Green New Deal.
“Instead of prioritizing the rapid investment in jobs and justice we need, Biden is prioritizing appeasement and negotiations with the racist, anti-democratic Republican Party, and with every passing day, his plan becomes weaker, smaller, and fails to meet the challenges we face,” the group said online.
“Biden is wasting time attempting to work with Republican leaders on a bill, and could compromise on key climate and progressive priorities in the process.”
