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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Stephen O’Hanlon, Sunrise, stephen@sunrisemovement.org, (610)-955-7398

BREAKING: 1000+ Young People Sitting-in at Dem House Leadership Offices Demanding They Back a Green New Deal Before Holiday Recess

After 50 Congressional lobby visits this morning, Sunrise begins sit-ins at the offices of Reps. Pelosi, Hoyer, and McGovern, asking them to back the Select Committee for a  Green New Deal.

WASHINGTON

More than 1000 young people are currently sitting-in at the D.C offices of Reps. Pelosi, Hoyer, and McGovern demanding they endorse Rep.-elect Ocasio-Cortez's Select Committee on a Green New Deal before the holiday recess.

Sit-ins are happening now in the offices of:

"The IPCC says we have 12 years to transform our economy and avert catastrophe," said Varshini Prakash, Sunrise co-founder, as the sit-in began at Rep. Pelosi's office. "The Democrats need a plan to make it happen. And if the Democrats want the youth vote in 2020, they need to get to work on a Green New Deal in 2019."

More than 800 people joined last night's training with Sunrise Movement. This morning, participants held a rally at the Spirit of Justice Park before holding lobby visits in over 50 Congressional offices.

One week after the 2018 midterm elections, 200 young people were joined by Rep.-elect Ocasio-Cortez for a protest in Nancy Pelosi's office, demanding that Democratic leaders form a select committee for a Green New Deal. Since then, 22 Congressional Democrats have endorsed the Select Committee and dozens more have backed the Green New Deal.

Now, as Democratic leaders set the agenda for the 2019 legislative session, hundreds of young people are taking action in their offices to ensure the Select Committee moves forward before the holiday recess.

300 people are also rallying outside Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco office in coordination with the D.C sit-in, along with nearly 15 actions happening across the U.S.

350 is building a future that's just, prosperous, equitable and safe from the effects of the climate crisis. We're an international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.