Congressional Leaders Headline Green New Deal Town Hall
More than 400 community members gathered for a town hall to hear from advocates and elected officials about why New York City needs a Green New Deal
NYC grassroots organizations Sunrise Movement NYC, Indivisible Nation BK, 350 Brooklyn and One Queens Indivisible teamed up to present a town hall on the Green New Deal on Friday, April 26. Rep. Jerry Nadler, Rep. Yvette Clarke, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and City Council Member Costa Constantinides, all of whom support the Green New Deal resolution, joined advocates and organizers for an informative and inspiring evening. 32BJ SEIU, the country’s largest property service workers union, hosted the event at their HQ in Chelsea in a continuation of their support of a Green New Deal. This town hall was one of more than 250 happening nationwide for the Road to the Green New Deal Tour that launched in Boston last week.
“Momentum for a Green New Deal is growing,” said Matthew MIles Goodrich, New York State Director of Sunrise Movement. “Already 100 members of Congress have co-sponsored Senator Ed Markey and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s resolution, and polls show that the Green New Deal is broadly supported among voters of both parties. We’re holding this town hall to educate our community about what a Green New Deal could look like and grow that support in NYC.”
"We’re holding this event to show that New Yorkers are united in their support for climate justice,” said Liat Olenick, Indivisible Nation BK Co-President. “When we posted this event on social media, our tickets sold out instantly. That’s because the Green New Deal is galvanizing for activists, young people and families. The elected officials who haven’t co-signed the resolution, like Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, should take note — New Yorkers support a Green New Deal."
“Connecting the labor movement to the Green New Deal town halls happening across the country is an important step towards addressing the climate crisis we are facing. We are proud to be helping to educate the public on the ways the Green New Deal can be a catalyst to creating the good, green jobs that will support workers and the local communities that depend on them,” said Hector Figueroa, president of 32BJ SEIU.