An energized crowd of students, community members and business owners, many impacted by L.A.’s recent wildfires, joined advocates for the #PollutersPay Climate Superfund bill at a press conference in front of L.A.’s City Hall on April 16, marking the 100th day since the L.A. fires began. Speakers represented 100,000 people who have signed petitions to make polluters pay.
“Climate trauma is a public health crisis of mind and body, it’s on the rise and particularly troublesome for elders,” Dr. C Freeman, a doctor who specializes in geriatric psychiatry, told the crowd. She called on legislators to pass the Polluters Pay #ClimateSuperfund bill, saying that California tax payers are now paying for the damage caused by fossil fuels, when fossil fuel companies should be paying.
Other speakers included representatives from the L.A. City Council, the Center for Biological Diversity, a Palisades Charter High School student who lost her home to the Palisades fire, a pastor from a local church that has lost 80 percent of its membership to the Altadena fires, and other community groups and business owners. Several #thirdactsocal members attended the rally, including John and ZinShu Spock, who can be seen holding the big white signs at the top of the stairs to the right.
Third Act is asking folks to write to their state legislators about the bill, here:
https://secure.everyaction.com/tWB3ijW2e0eXEboG9edqsg2
More grassroots actions are being scheduled, so stay tuned for updates!