Town Hall In Newark Held In Support Of Green New Deal

NEWARK, NJ — Dozens of environmentalists and labor activists gathered in support of the Green New Deal during a town hall event in Newark earlier this month.

The public forum took place at labor union 32BJ SEIU’s district office in Newark on May 18. It featured panelists and speakers from the Sunrise Movement, Sierra Club, BlueWaveNJ, Labor Network for Sustainability and New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance. Other panelists included BlueWaveNJ Environmental Chair John Reichman and New Jersey Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel.

According to a news release from organizers, the goal of the public meeting was to educate local residents on the resolution championed by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and the Sunrise Movement, and to emphasize the urgency of the climate crisis in New Jersey.

During the May 18 forum, panelists discussed local environmental issues, including lead pipes in Newark and high asthma rates among children in the area.

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Some comments from speakers included:

Sunrise organizer Arya Burke – “The Green New Deal is two things: a resolution in Congress and a vision for the future,” said the activist. “The basis of the vision is for justice and equity for all. That involves reducing greenhouse gasses so we can eventually live in a carbon neutral society by 2050, mitigate climate change, and empower marginalized communities. The Deal creates millions of jobs at the same time because it has a federal jobs guarantee, and a places a serious focus on the participation of local democracies and environmental justice communities to address the climate crisis.”

Kevin Brown, 32BJ SEIU - “Our Town Hall shows that our members and the community at large are ready to tackle climate change despite the challenges. The Green New Deal is a new opportunity to take back New Jersey by simultaneously tackling economic inequality and climate change. We can recreate the American economy as a green economy through jobs that, with the right training, can provide career ladders for many low-wage workers who struggle to afford the high cost of living. In the face of dismal news on climate change and jobs, we have reason for hope if we all work together.”

Nicole Scott-Harris, NJ Environmental Justice Alliance – “NJEJA commends the labor community and leadership for engaging in this very critical discussion on the Green New Deal. Their input and support is essential to ensuring a Just Transition to environmentally sustainable economy, reducing pollution impacts to public health, and taking an active role in the fight for Environmental Climate Justice.”

Todd Vachon, Labor Network for Sustainability – “Local organizations are coming together to affirm our support for the Green New Deal— the one best solution to the dual crisis of climate change and inequality. By eliminating harmful greenhouse gas emissions and creating millions of good union jobs healing our planet, the Green New Deal will usher in a new era of equity and sustainability in New Jersey and America. However, that future will only come to pass if working people, environmentalists, social justice activists, and other stakeholders come together to demand it. Together we can make a better tomorrow for ourselves and our children.”

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