Sunrise Movement Tells Schumer: No Compromises, No Excuses
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New York, New York—On Saturday, January 16 at 1 PM, Sunrise Movement NYC held a mass action at the Grand Army Plaza Arch in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. We called on incoming Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer to enact a bold agenda to avert the climate crisis and build a green, just recovery from COVID-19.
“As we continue demanding accountability for last week’s horrifying events, we need to keep pushing further — by dismantling white supremacy at every level of our government and society,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman. “A Green New Deal that invests in Black and Brown communities, while creating good jobs for all, is a crucial part of that process, allowing us to heal the wounds of history as we build the economy of the future. I’m proud to be fighting alongside New York’s youth climate movement and community groups to launch the Decade of the Green New Deal in style — with no compromise and no excuses.”
Saturday’s action included speeches from Sunrise Movement activists including Jasmin Sanchez, a member of the NYC hub’s Green New Deal for Public Housing (GND4PH) team; Day Bradshaw, a leader of the NYC hub; and Sunrise’s Creative Director Alex O’Keefe. Jawanza Williams, who is the Director of Organizing at VOCAL-NY, spoke about why New Yorkers need Senator Schumer to fight for us. Local tenant organizers Michael Hollingsworth and Brandon West also addressed the crowd. The action was co-sponsored by New York Communities for Change and the NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
“We have a moment to create a just society, an opportunity to imagine what public housing looks like. This is the decade of a Green New Deal,” Jasmin Sanchez said as she spoke to the necessity of public housing reform, especially for people of color, who make up the majority of public housing residents.
Record youth turnout, especially of BIPOC youth, as well as the hard work of organizers fighting for climate, economic and racial justice handed a victory to the Democrats in November and again in January in Georgia. Now, Democrats must deliver on a legislative agenda that represents these values. We gathered to tell Chuck Schumer that there can be no compromising on this agenda and especially no compromise with those who aid the subversion of democracy.
“We’re not asking for a hero, we’re offering you some…to work with you, to fight for a Green New Deal,” Alex O’Keefe stated in his speech addressing Senator Schumer’s apartment building. “With our friendships and our labor, we can organize an America where all life is possible…with good jobs and healthcare for all.”
The rally concluded with letter-writing to Senator Schumer, as attendees delineated why they need him to be brave, fight for a green recovery, and stand firm against the white supremacists working to destroy our democracy. The refrain “Use your power, Chuck” echoed amongst the crowd.
“In the midst of major crises — white supremacist insurrection on and in the Capitol, the worst pandemic response in the world, record inequality as billionaires profit, and another hottest year on record — America is at a crossroads, as these all hurt BIPOC communities most,” said Sunrise NYC action lead Andrew Wells. “We must seize this opportunity to push for transformative change. We’re choosing to build on the promise of a just multi-racial democracy that came together in Georgia, and now the incoming leader of the Senate is right here in our city.”
The Decade of the Green New Deal starts now. Sunrise NYC wants to see Senator Schumer follow through on his promises to the American people, and specifically enact 1) Direct relief for the American people, not to corporate CEOs or fossil fuel polluters; 2) Economic recovery that creates millions of good jobs, halts the climate crisis, and reverses systemic inequality by ensuring racial and economic justice; 3) End to Republican minority rule and the beginning of a true multiracial democracy that works for all of us through true reform.
