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News Release — VPIRG

April 27, 2017

Contact:

Adam Maxwell

Vermont Public Interest Research Group

Field Director

802-595-2451

[email protected]

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Montpelier, Vt.—Thousands of Vermonters, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, will converge on the state capital Saturday to rally for bold policies to address the climate crisis.

The rally is taking place in solidarity with the People’s Climate March in Washington, D.C. and other similar events across the country.

Motivated in part by a federal administration that denies the reality of climate science and is actively working to revive the destructive fossil fuel industry, participants in the Montpelier rally will gather on the State House lawn to listen to local musicians and speeches by Sen. Sanders, Kesha Ram, Rep. Peter Welch and others.

“Vermonters have always been particularly conscious of our role in making the world a better place,” said Adam Maxwell, Field Director of Vermont Public Interest Research Group. “Right now we are called to embrace this courageous tradition because, quite frankly, climate change is without a doubt the biggest challenge our species has ever faced and, with a frightening level of federal backsliding, our legislature and our governor must embrace bold, creative solutions.”

Those rallying in Montpelier will be joining millions across the United States in a unique display of solidarity.

“The climate is the air we breathe and the water we drink, but it is also the ability of every child to reach their fullest potential in a healthy, safe, and just community,” said Kesha Ram, former State Representative & Interim Director of the Center for Whole Communities. “I am proud to join Vermonters and Americans for the People’s Climate March in uplifting the voices of those communities most affected by and least responsible for the devastating consequences of climate change.”

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This sentiment is shared among the diverse Vermont based organizations who participated in a coordinating committee including: the Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club, 350VT, Vermont Public Interest Research Group, Vermont Rights and Democracy, the Vermont Natural Resources Council, and Vermont Interfaith Power, with supporting endorsements from more than 80 additional organizations.

Confirmed speakers include Senator Bernie Sanders, Congressman Peter Welch, Lt. Governor David Zuckerman, former State Representative Kesha Ram, and Reverend Arnold Thomas. Music will be provided by Headphone Jack, Central Vermont Solidarity Singers, Chad Hollister and Chris Gruen.

“The climate crisis is at its heart a spiritual crisis; we’ve forgotten that Earth as a whole needs to thrive if people are to thrive,” said Betsy Hardy of Vermont Interfaith Power and Light. “The damage we’re doing to Earth – harming current and future generations – must stop!”

In a time of climate inaction and reversal of hard earned policy gains in Washington D.C., states are leading the way and preserving climate action.