Activists from the climate action organization Sunrise gathered in front of U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer’s office in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday morning demanding that he co-sponsor the Green New Deal resolution.
They expressed their frustration that Schumer has criticized the GOP and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for their inaction on climate change, yet refuses to co-sponsor the Green New Deal introduced by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortes and Senator Ed Markey in February. Arya Burke, a Sunrise organizer, “If there is no green new deal there is no climate plan. If Chuck Schumer isn’t signing on, he’s showing that he’s on the side of the fossil fuel executives.”
Despite pressure from his constituents and numerous climate activist groups, Senate Minority Leader Schumer yet has to agree to a town hall or even meet with activists to discuss his stance on the resolution.
The Green New Deal calls for 100 percent renewable energy, eliminating greenhouse gas emissions, providing access to clean water and air while at the same time creating high paying green jobs, and is co-sponsored by 91 members of the House and 12 members of the Senate. At a town hall in Manhattan last Friday, Congress members Nydia Velazquez, Carolyn Maloney, Yvette Clark, and Jerry Nadler all stressed the importance of the Green New Deal.
Aracely Jimenez who lives in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Sunset Park pleaded, “I’m not asking for much; I’m really not. I’m asking for the chance to live, to have clean air to breath, clean water to drink, food to sustain me, to protect my home from a preventable crisis.”
Seven Sunrise members were arrested for blocking the entrance doors to the building of Schumer’s office and charged with refusing orders to disperse.
