Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
NATIONWIDE - Today, in honor of Rosa Parks’ birthday, labor unions, racial justice groups, environmental organizations, transit groups, and disability advocates are joining together to elevate public transit as a civil right and essential to healthy communities.
Rosa Parks’ historic resistance to segregation on public transit, in the context of the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott as a whole, is deeply connected to the current movement for all communities to have reliable access to high-quality public transit that runs on renewable energy.
In addition to local events across the country, the Transit Equity Day network is hosting a national webinar today, Feb 4, at noon ET. The discussion will focus on how to integrate principles of racial, gender, disability, and social justice into every aspect of transit planning, from equitable infrastructure development to inclusive community engagement in decision-making processes.
Public transit gets people to work, school, and important services; improves road congestion; curbs dangerous air pollution that contributes to a host of health issues; and reduces emissions that worsen the climate crisis.
In response, Rebekah Whilden, senior advisor to Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign, released the following statement:
“Today, on Transit Equity Day and at the start of Black History Month, we honor Rosa Parks’ resistance and commit to the ongoing work of ensuring communities benefit from safe, affordable, and reliable public transit. As the Trump Administration attempts to erase Black history and questions the very need for social services, we double down on our commitment to acknowledging where we’ve been and the advocacy that will continue for public transit.
“We urge local transit agencies and decision-makers to show leadership in expanding transit in their communities and including meaningful input from the communities they serve in all transportation decisions.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.