Washington, DC – After another round of tireless opposition by frontline environmental justice organizers and allied climate activists, Senator Joe Manchin’s Energy Security and Independence Act was dropped from this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.
In response, Crystal Mello, organizer with the Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights and frontline MVP resistor said:
“Once again, the frontlines rose to stop the Dirty Deal from weaseling into must-pass legislation. When we rise together, we win. We are cleaning ladies, farmers, students, parents, Indigenous water protectors, and Black community leaders. We shouldered the future of this country by making calls, lobbying, and protesting between jobs and classes. Beside us were climate activists and allied Congresspeople. They raised their voices with ours to fill the halls of the powerful with people power. Now, we have a livable and just future to build. Schumer, Pelosi, and all Congresspeople: this must be the last time we are threatened by the corrupt, needless Dirty Deal.”
Maury Johnson, Co-Chair of the POWHR Coalition and impacted MVP landowner, said:
“Frontline communities from across the country have risen to voice their objection to becoming sacrificed so that another horrible fossil fuel project can make another millionaire a few more dollars. This should be a wake-up call to all of America that we are not going to ever relent again. Many thanks to our friends in the House and Senate, especially Representative Rashida Tlaib and Ro Kanna who have stood with the people and stood up against the fossil fuel industry and their lackeys.”
Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck, co-founder of 7 Directions of Service, said:
“This victory is a win but the war still rages on and we must stay vigilant about this pipeline and dirty deal. MVP and many other fossil fuel projects have destroyed fence-line communities and we now need to stand together in solidarity more than ever. As Jason always tells people, we need to let the water know that you are here to protect it. So I need you to join our coalition of land defenders and water protectors for the next seven generations.”
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Press contact: Denali Nalamalapu, denali@powhr.org, (302) 307-6966
Banner photo credit: Tom Rath