Dem lawmakers want $1,000,000 for activists to build 'environmental justice' center

New York Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand want to allocate $1 million to help a politically connected environmental organization build an “environmental justice” center in New York City.

The two senators have requested an earmark in the fiscal year 2024 transportation, housing and urban development appropriations bill that would send $1 million to ACT, a Harlem-based environmental and advocacy group, to help with the construction of WE ACT's “environmental justice” center. President Joe Biden named WE ACT co-founder Peggy Shepard on the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and the organization reported $16.2 million in revenue in 2021 against $3.8 million in total expenses. seconds on their tax returns from that year.

“The Center will be a convening space and technical assistance center for environmental justice organizations and other grassroots advocates,” seconds on the WE ACT website. “With a permanent space to call our own, equipped with technology for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education and citizen science, we will also expand our community-based education, the development of strength of work and citizenship. engagement efforts that directly empower residents of northern Manhattan.”

Perry: “That we don't recognize that there is a problem with the allocation process in Washington, DC is a sad testimony” https://t.co/SQZlPfmbJw

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) December 3, 2022

The environmental justice center, once completed, will mobilize more than 3,000 voters on environmental issues through “nonpartisan get-out-the-vote efforts,” according to WE ACT's website.

The organization has helped lead protest you leavelaunched several politics advocacy campaignsi signed a May letter to Biden urging him not to give in to House Republicans' push to work to allow reform provisions in the debt ceiling bill.

Beyond the defense of the environment, the organization is also dedicated to efforts to increase electoral participation. Their website includes a whole page dedicated to sharing information on how to register to vote, how to send absentee ballots and key election dates.

The organization believes that “climate change will have a disproportionate impact on communities of color because it is a threat multiplier, meaning it will affect public health, economic and racial injustices that exist in the United States and around the world.” seconds in the section of WE ACT's website that collects their views on “climate justice”.

Two members of the organization should be highlighted Board of Directors work for other environmental organizations. Eric Goldsteinthe New York City Environmental Director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, serves on WE ACT's board of directors and Margot Brownthe senior vice president for justice and equity at the Environmental Defense Fund, is also a member of the board of directors.

Schumer's office, Gillibrand's office and WE ACT did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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