WASHINGTON,
D.C. (April 24, 2017) - On April 29,
2017, a diverse coalition of women's groups, climate justice organization and
allies will unite to march as a Women for Climate Justice Contingent at the
People's Climate March for Jobs, Justice and the Climate in Washington D.C.,
and in support of local marches happening across the country.
The
March comes as the culmination of strong actions organized by the climate
justice, immigrant and refugee rights, Indigenous sovereignty, Black Lives
Matter and other intersectional movements over the first 100 days of the Trump
Administration presidency.
The
Women for Climate Justice Contingent will speak out and take action at the 2017
People's Climate March to give voice to women's disproportionate vulnerability
to the impacts of climate change, while also showing the diversity, strength
and solutions of global women leaders.
The
Contingent aims to send a clear message to the U.S. Administration and world
governments that, as women, many of whom stand on the frontlines of climate
change, we are gravely concerned about the impacts of climate change, and the
implications of a U.S. Administration that promotes climate skepticism,
advancement of fossil fuels, an extractive economy, environmental racism,
bigotry and inequitable treatment of women and girls.
The
Contingent is organizing in a decentralized manner via social media. Press and
media are invited to engage with spokeswomen in advance of the march to
understand why women are key to climate justice and solutions; and also
encouraged to contact organizers of the Women for Climate Justice Contingent to
engage on the ground and accompany the Women for Climate Justice Contingent
during the People's Climate March in Washington D.C.
"As
women, we understand the responsibility of ensuring the health of Mother Earth,
the waters and the sacred system of life.
When we stand together our authority and power is magnified and nothing
will stop us from ensuring a vibrantly healthy future for generations to
come. This is our responsibility and
what we were born to do this at this time. " explained Pennie Opal Plant,
Founding Member, Idle No More SF Bay
"When
we refer to a just transition away from fossil fuels, we must challenge new
industries to also transition away from prevailing power structures and a
sexually disaggregated labor force...We
also must continue to grapple with the broader implications of
transitioning to low-carbon economies in a just way, including in regards to
re-thinking the current sexual division of labor, promoting decent work for
women in under-valued fields such as care work; the (social) service sector;
sustainable, locally focused agriculture and fisheries; as well as locally
governed renewable energies with women participating equally as shareholders,
owners, and fairly remunerated workers. We must also tackle issues of land
rights, inheritance, and access to credit." explained Bridget Burns,
Co-Director, Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)
"The
2017 People's Climate March is an urgent moment to demonstrate the collective
resistance, action power and solutions of the climate justice movement. Women
for Climate Justice will be marching in D.C. and across the country to make
clear that we refuse to continue to allow the health and survival of our
communities and the Earth's living systems to be sacrificed for profit. We are
raising our voices in the streets, the forests, the fields, the courtrooms and
the halls of government to demonstrate that a just and livable future is
possible, and that women will be ceaseless in our work to protect and defend
the Earth and the global climate. Despite experiencing the impacts of climate
change with disproportionate severity, women are rising everyday to build the
solutions we need. From divestment campaigns, renewable energy projects,
agro-ecology practices, fossil fuel resistance to defending women's, Indigenous
and Earth rights, women are leading the way ," explained Osprey Orielle
Lake, Executive Director, Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)
International
"While
the burdens of climate change reach women first and worst, women are more than
victims, they're leaders. I am glad to be marching with women who face real
climate impacts. We marched on day one and we are marching on day 100, as
women, as climate activists, as people who care about our planet's
future." explained A.Tianna
Scozzaro, Director, Gender, Equity and Environment, Sierra Club
"We
need a Just Transition, from fossil fuels to renewable energy, by which the
inequalities that exist in the traditional energy sector are left behind. A
just transition that challenges new industries to also move away from
prevailing power structures, one that is decentralized, gender-responsive and
respectful of human rights," explained Daniela Pedraza, Gender, Jobs &
Justice Fellow, Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)
"Women
are not only on the frontlines of the climate crisis, we are essential to the
solutions. I want my daughter to inherit a world where a healthy environment is
a basic human right for everyone-no matter where they live, what they look like
or how much money they make. Together, we can stand up to a government that is
putting polluters first and our children's future risk."explained Rhea Suh,
President, Natural Resources Defense Council
"This
march is a show of strength and commitment to all peoples and the planet. The
threats we face are mighty - from climate deniers that wreck environmental
protections to corporate powers that pollute and exploit - but together, we are
mightier. We stand together with women in frontline communities around the
world who face the worst impacts of climate change and who take action daily to
build more resilient communities and to save lives. What's more, these
grassroots women possess the solutions that will guide us to a sustainable way
of living," explained Yifat Susskind, Executive Director, MADRE
Women
and allies from Kentucky to Alaska and across the world are marching for
climate justice today. From struggles against police violence to the struggle
for water, women are drawing liberation from our roots and lifting it up beyond
the moment so that those most impacted by dysfunctional Administrations are
protected and whole communities and the planet can thrive. We will build this
bridge of resistance to May Day and beyond: rooted in our communities, as hubs
of resistance and transformation until
there is climate justice for all.
explained Angela Adrar, Executive Director, Climate Justice Alliance
"As
women, we know all too well that the powerful often seek to silence our voices
when we speak out to protect the most vulnerable in our communities. We are
here today to show that we refuse to be silenced. All around the world, in city
halls, corporate boardrooms and on the streets of our cities women are
demanding action to protect the planet from the threat of climate change."
explained Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris and Chair of C40 Cities Climate
Leadership Group
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