Campaigners hold a sign reading, "Trump Profits, Arizona Burns" at former President Donald Trump's campaign office in Phoenix, Arizona on September 23, 2024.
'Billionaires Own Trump': Sunrise Organizers Occupy Republican's Phoenix Office
"Donald Trump is putting our futures on the auction block," said one campaigner. "He's gutting green jobs, handing tax cuts to billionaires, and ignoring the climate crisis."
As part of its engagement effort to reach 1.5 million young voters in swing states, the climate justice group Sunrise Movement on Monday organized a protest at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's Phoenix, Arizona campaign office, where they attempted to deliver a check to "buy" the former president "back from Big Oil."
Five campaigners delivered a fake campaign check reading, "$1 billion and $1," a reference to Trump's promise to oil executives that he would slash regulations and end President Joe Biden's renewable energy initiatives if they donated $1 billion to his campaign.
"My future, and the future of this country, shouldn't be up for sale," said 20-year-old Nate Scofield, a campaigner from North Carolina who occupied Trump's Phoenix office. "Donald Trump is putting our futures on the auction block. He's gutting green jobs, handing tax cuts to billionaires, and ignoring the climate crisis. We came here today to send a clear message: We won't stand by while he sells out our families and our future."
The occupation was met with hostility by Trump campaign staffers, who yelled, "Get your ass out of here," and "I hope you don't have kids" at the campaigners.
The campaigners sat in the office holding signs reading, "Trump profits, Arizona burns" and "Billionaires Own Trump."
Ashton Dolce, 17, spoke about how the climate crisis has devastated Arizona, where officials suspect hundreds of people may have died in just one county from extreme heat this summer.
"The heat is relentless, wildfires rage, and our water is disappearing," said Dolce. "Donald Trump's response? Let our homes burn while cashing in from Big Oil. Arizona is at the frontlines of the climate crisis, but we are also on the frontlines of this election. That's why I'm organizing my community, mobilizing young voters, and holding Trump accountable for his loyalty to Big Oil."
Police were called an arrested the organizers, but 21-year-old Riya Kumar of Idaho said she was "willing to take this risk today because my family and my future are on the line this election."
"Living in Idaho, I've seen wildfires worsen every year, and the smoke choking our communities," said Kumar. "We can't afford Donald Trump as president."
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This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
As part of its engagement effort to reach 1.5 million young voters in swing states, the climate justice group Sunrise Movement on Monday organized a protest at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's Phoenix, Arizona campaign office, where they attempted to deliver a check to "buy" the former president "back from Big Oil."
Five campaigners delivered a fake campaign check reading, "$1 billion and $1," a reference to Trump's promise to oil executives that he would slash regulations and end President Joe Biden's renewable energy initiatives if they donated $1 billion to his campaign.
"My future, and the future of this country, shouldn't be up for sale," said 20-year-old Nate Scofield, a campaigner from North Carolina who occupied Trump's Phoenix office. "Donald Trump is putting our futures on the auction block. He's gutting green jobs, handing tax cuts to billionaires, and ignoring the climate crisis. We came here today to send a clear message: We won't stand by while he sells out our families and our future."
The occupation was met with hostility by Trump campaign staffers, who yelled, "Get your ass out of here," and "I hope you don't have kids" at the campaigners.
The campaigners sat in the office holding signs reading, "Trump profits, Arizona burns" and "Billionaires Own Trump."
Ashton Dolce, 17, spoke about how the climate crisis has devastated Arizona, where officials suspect hundreds of people may have died in just one county from extreme heat this summer.
"The heat is relentless, wildfires rage, and our water is disappearing," said Dolce. "Donald Trump's response? Let our homes burn while cashing in from Big Oil. Arizona is at the frontlines of the climate crisis, but we are also on the frontlines of this election. That's why I'm organizing my community, mobilizing young voters, and holding Trump accountable for his loyalty to Big Oil."
Police were called an arrested the organizers, but 21-year-old Riya Kumar of Idaho said she was "willing to take this risk today because my family and my future are on the line this election."
"Living in Idaho, I've seen wildfires worsen every year, and the smoke choking our communities," said Kumar. "We can't afford Donald Trump as president."
- House Democrat Probes Trump's $1 Billion 'Quid Pro Quo' Deal With Big Oil ›
- Senators Launch Probe of Trump's $1 Billion Offer to Big Oil ›
- Trump Asked for $1 Billion to Do Big Oil's Dirty Work. Meet the Billionaire Making It Happen ›
- Climate Group Reaches Over 4 Million Voters to Elect Harris Then 'Organize Like Hell' | Common Dreams ›
As part of its engagement effort to reach 1.5 million young voters in swing states, the climate justice group Sunrise Movement on Monday organized a protest at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's Phoenix, Arizona campaign office, where they attempted to deliver a check to "buy" the former president "back from Big Oil."
Five campaigners delivered a fake campaign check reading, "$1 billion and $1," a reference to Trump's promise to oil executives that he would slash regulations and end President Joe Biden's renewable energy initiatives if they donated $1 billion to his campaign.
"My future, and the future of this country, shouldn't be up for sale," said 20-year-old Nate Scofield, a campaigner from North Carolina who occupied Trump's Phoenix office. "Donald Trump is putting our futures on the auction block. He's gutting green jobs, handing tax cuts to billionaires, and ignoring the climate crisis. We came here today to send a clear message: We won't stand by while he sells out our families and our future."
The occupation was met with hostility by Trump campaign staffers, who yelled, "Get your ass out of here," and "I hope you don't have kids" at the campaigners.
The campaigners sat in the office holding signs reading, "Trump profits, Arizona burns" and "Billionaires Own Trump."
Ashton Dolce, 17, spoke about how the climate crisis has devastated Arizona, where officials suspect hundreds of people may have died in just one county from extreme heat this summer.
"The heat is relentless, wildfires rage, and our water is disappearing," said Dolce. "Donald Trump's response? Let our homes burn while cashing in from Big Oil. Arizona is at the frontlines of the climate crisis, but we are also on the frontlines of this election. That's why I'm organizing my community, mobilizing young voters, and holding Trump accountable for his loyalty to Big Oil."
Police were called an arrested the organizers, but 21-year-old Riya Kumar of Idaho said she was "willing to take this risk today because my family and my future are on the line this election."
"Living in Idaho, I've seen wildfires worsen every year, and the smoke choking our communities," said Kumar. "We can't afford Donald Trump as president."
- House Democrat Probes Trump's $1 Billion 'Quid Pro Quo' Deal With Big Oil ›
- Senators Launch Probe of Trump's $1 Billion Offer to Big Oil ›
- Trump Asked for $1 Billion to Do Big Oil's Dirty Work. Meet the Billionaire Making It Happen ›
- Climate Group Reaches Over 4 Million Voters to Elect Harris Then 'Organize Like Hell' | Common Dreams ›