Gulf South community leaders to confront fossil fuel industry and its ties to Trump’s wars abroad at CERAWeek march and rally
For immediate release
Community leaders are marching to ensure the fossil fuel executives and government officials attending CERAWeek see the opposition to their plans to recklessly expand fossil fuels, which poison the air and water, worsen the climate crisis, devastate Gulf Coast fishing economies, and drive conflicts from Venezuela to Iran.
Contacts: Rebecca Stoner, [email protected], 917-561-2607
Jenny Espino, [email protected], (361) 400-0314 ext. 4001
Who: Hundreds of Gulf South community members impacted by fossil fuel, petrochemical, and other polluting industries will lead the march, along with allies from state, local, and national organizations. Speakers at the march’s press conference will include:
-Yvette Arellano, founder and executive director of Houston environmental justice organization Fenceline Watch
-Astra Nasr, Ignition Front
-Richard Hernandez, Boycott Chevron and Houston Democratic Socialists of America
-James Hiatt, former fossil fuel industry worker and organizer with Better Bayou
-Manning Rollerson, Founder and Director, Freeport Haven Project for Environmental Justice
-A to-be-confirmed speaker from the Palestine solidarity contingent
What: A visually striking march and rally from Houston City Hall to the CERAWeek venue on the conference’s opening day, featuring hand-painted banners, puppets, a marching band, and piñatas. The march is part of a series of community events, teach-ins, and demonstrations confronting the CERAWeek conference called “Break the System, Build the Future.”
Where: Community leaders will march from Houston City Hall at 901 Bagby St to the CERAWeek venue, the George R. Brown Convention Center. The press conference will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@TXEnvironment.
When: Monday, March 23. The press conference begins at 11 AM. At approximately 2 PM, when the march reaches the George R. Brown Convention Center, there will be two additional speakers focusing on the damage created by Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass 2 liquified natural gas (LNG) facility and the Freeport LNG facility.
Why: Community leaders are marching to ensure the fossil fuel executives and government officials attending CERAWeek see the opposition to their plans to recklessly expand fossil fuels, which poison the air and water, worsen the climate crisis, devastate Gulf Coast fishing economies, and drive conflicts from Venezuela to Iran. In past years, Gulf South community leaders fighting fossil fuel projects have been denied the opportunity to purchase tickets to the conference, where top executives make decisions about the future of their communities. This year, community members are taking to the streets to ensure their voices are heard.
Notes to the editor:
- Speakers are available for interviews before and after the press conference.
- High resolution images and b-roll will be available here immediately following the event.
- Background briefing materials, including health data, photos and videos, and community impact reports available upon request.