Deb Pasternak, Deb.Pasternak@sierraclub.org, 617-852-2641
Boston, MA -- As Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke spoke at an event at the Charlestown Navy Yard this morning, a crowd of protesters was there to call on him to protect our public lands from dirty fossil fuel development.
The crowd, which included local members of the Sierra Club, Veterans for Peace, Progressive Massachusetts, and Field First, wore red, white, and blue to remind Secretary Zinke that protecting America’s public lands is patriotic.
The rally comes days after Zinke’s controversial comments that protests against fossil fuel pipelines are “simply un-American.” Â
“Secretary Zinke may think protesting against dirty fossil fuel projects that threaten our public lands and communities is un-American, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Deb Pasternak with Sierra Club Massachusetts. “Our public lands and outdoor spaces are often places of healing for veterans, and preserving these places is truly an act of patriotism. We’re here to urge Secretary Zinke to keep our public lands free from destructive drilling so that everyone can be free to enjoy and explore them.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.