| The Methow Valley Citizens Council stands in solidarity with Black communities and all communities of color. The brutal murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, David McAtee, James Scurluck, Tony McCade, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, Riah Milton, Dominique “Rem’Mie” Fells, the racist 911 call against Christian Cooper and the many other acts of blatant racism that have occurred over the past few days, weeks, and months compels us to speak out about the ongoing racial injustice occurring in our country. We acknowledge that these are not one-time or isolated events but are examples of ongoing systemic racism ingrained in every aspect of our society.
As an environmental organization, we know we cannot achieve environmental justice without racial, social, and economic justice. Systemic racism and injustice have left economically disadvantaged communities, Indigenous communities, and communities of color exposed to the highest levels of toxic pollution, as well as the most vulnerable people subject to more powerful storms and floods, intense heat waves, deadly wildfires, devastating droughts, and other threats from the climate crisis. At the same time environmental organizations, including MVCC, have largely been white-led and contain a predominance of economically secure white members. Inevitably this affects the issues we tackle.
MVCC will evaluate how we can better serve the entire Methow Valley, being inclusive of the diversity that is here now and as it evolves going forward. This is a critical moment to define bold and equitable climate solutions with racial and economic justice as core goals. MVCC is committed to ensuring that all people have the right to breathe clean air, live free of dangerous levels of toxic pollution, have access to the natural world, and share the benefits of a prosperous and vibrant clean economy.
-Methow Valley Citizens Council Board and Staff
Photo by @GreenGirlLeah on Instagram |
