April 30, 2017

Thousands of Virginians Joined the Peoples Climate March Ahead of State Primary Election

Virginians vow to make climate change a key issue in upcoming primary

Washington, DC — Ahead of the gubernatorial primary being held in Virginia this summer, thousands of Virginians joined the Peoples Climate March on Saturday, April 29, to march for jobs, justice, and the climate. More than 40 busses arrived from various cities in the state to Washington, DC, for a massive mobilization, where over 200,000 people were in the streets from across the country.

“I marched with 400 young people from across Virginia who are unified in fighting for a new vision for our state,” said Laura Cross of Charlottesville, with the Virginia Student Environmental Coalition. “From two proposed pipelines to sea level rise on our coast, Virginians are demanding bold leadership from representatives in town-halls, campaign events and debates. The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is our line in the sand — I’ll be voting in the primary election, and working with other young people to hold Virginia leaders accountable to bold action on climate change.”

The work of communities protesting fossil fuel infrastructure in the state has gained greater attention in recent months, with Donald Trump showing his support for the Atlantic Coast pipeline that runs through Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Virginia has also seen mass pushback over the use of mountaintop removal, an extreme coal mining practice that impacts nearby communities from flooding risks to higher rates of cancer.

“Virginians care about the climate,” said Leslie Back of Alexandria, with 350 Action. “That’s why we were out in full force at the Peoples Climate March. It’s why we’ll be out voting in the primary making sure climate is a key issue that helps decide this election.”

###

Contact: Dani Heffernan, 350 Action, [email protected], +1 (305) 992-1544