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People’s Action network pledges to hold elected officials accountable to protecting people and planet

WASHINGTON – As President Trump on Wednesday indicates that a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate accords may be imminent, People’s Action is declaring its opposition to a withdrawal and pledges an all-out mobilization effort to hold the United States accountable to our pledge to protect the planet from fossil-fuel-induced climate change.

People’s Action represents hundreds of communities nationwide on the front lines of the environmental crisis in the United States.

“Donald Trump has declared war on all living and future generations of people on this planet, especially those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” said Maxine Murphy, Board chairperson with PUSH Buffalo and People’s Action representative at the 2015 United Nations climate summit in Paris.

With flooding in West Virginia, superstorms in New Jersey, droughts in the west, and extreme heat in the Midwest, our communities are already feeling the deadly effects of climate change.

These are the same communities suffering from decades of disinvestment – low-income communities, communities of color and indigenous communities are hit first and worst by climate change. Pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord sends a message to the world, and to communities in our own country that we do not value human lives.

People’s Action, a network of a million activists in 30 states, will partner with other organizations for a series of events and protests nationwide this summer holding elected officials accountable for their position on the environment and jobs.

“When so many people are already at risk because of climate change, especially in marginalized communities, a decision by Trump to withdraw from the Paris climate accord is deadly,” said Jordan Estevao, senior strategist and climate justice organizer for People’s Action, who also attended the Paris climate talks. “As a result of Trump’s order, our families will pay the price, many with their lives, said Estevao. “Trump said he would help the working class, but his policies say otherwise.”

People’s Action advocates for a green energy economy that will reduce the dangers of climate change and be a source of hundreds of thousands of good jobs. We support the infrastructure resolution just introduced by the Congressional Progressive Caucus: “A 21st Century New Deal for Jobs.”

On the political front, People’s Action is preparing to run candidates for local, state and congressional office on a “Protest to Power” platform that includes a call for “true climate justice.” That platform commits candidates to a clean energy economy that creates good jobs and serves those most affected by economic inequality, environmental degradation and structural racism.

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About People’s Action Institute

Over five decades, People’s Action Institute and our affiliates have fought for reforms that recognize poor and working people’s dignity and make material and political improvements to millions of lives. Our victories include the Community Reinvestment Act, Superfund, the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Act and the MAT Act.

We engage in issue campaigns, public education and training to advance a long-term agenda for racial, economic and gender justice. Our focus now is on deepening community organizing so we can build lasting power across the country. 

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