FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2020
CONTACT Mabel Tsang | mabel@caleja.org
Environmental justice alliance seeks to grow progressive legislative force in California with slate of 2020 endorsements
As Californians hurt from multiple crises, EJ alliance endorses 14 candidates to lead on climate and racial justice
Los Angeles, CA—Today, the California Environmental Justice Alliance Action (CEJA Action) announced the endorsement of 14 candidates for critical seats in California’s Assembly and Senate, and U.S. Congress. Communities throughout the state are suffering from wildfires, while fossil fuel and other polluting industries are seizing the opportunity to weaken health regulations. While Californians are seeking representatives who will advocate to protect their health and wellbeing, CEJA Action has endorsed proven environmental and social justice champions who will lead alongside the communities most impacted by disasters.
The November endorsements include returning elected leaders Monique Limon (SD-19), Abigail Medina (SD-23), Eloise Gomez Reyes (AD-47), Shirley Weber (AD-79), Lorena Gonzalez (AD-80), and Georgette Gomez (CD-53), among a slate of powerful and committed candidates including Jackie Fielder (SD-17), Fatima Iqbal-Zubair (AD-64), Susan Eggman (SD-5), John Laird (SD-17), and Dawn Addis (AD-35).
CEJA Action presented this bracket of powerful and committed candidates along with a recommended YES vote on Propositions 15, 16, 17, 18, 21 and 23 to strengthen civil rights and reinvest millions in environmental justice communities across the state.
Read the full 2020 Environmental Justice Voter Guide here.
According to CEJA Action, the 2020 election is a pivotal moment for Californians to respond to the crises of mass racial violence and environmental injustice with decisive electoral action.
“The communities who have suffered the worst impacts of COVID-19 are the same neighborhoods in which racism and white supremacy have had the deepest repercussions. In this November’s historic election, voters will have the opportunity to ensure California continues to light the way by electing progressive leadership and closing decades of corporate tax loopholes to reinvest in communities of color. Whether you safely vote from home or in person at your nearest polling place, you have the power to join millions this November in uniting our votes to protect our families, and strengthen our schools and communities,” said Mabel Tsang, CEJA Action Civic Engagement Manager.
“This November, Communities for a Better Environment is honored to endorse Fatima Iqbal-Zubair for Assembly District 64 and join the millions of Californians calling for the passage of Proposition 15, which repairs California’s broken commercial property tax system and reinvests billions in our local schools and communities. When we unite — as Black, Indigenous, communities of color — we have the power to champion progressive candidates and reclaim resources for California communities for generations to come. By electing candidates like Fatima Iqbal-Zubair for Assembly and passing Proposition 15, we take strong action against Big Oil’s corrupting influence in Sacramento while moving towards accomplishing environmental justice in our state,” said Darryl Molina Sarmiento, Executive Director of CBE Action.
“I am honored that CEJA Action has endorsed my campaign for Senate. As warehouse expansion rapidly continues in Southern California, we must fight for what’s best for our communities—from protecting our air quality from diesel pollution to fighting for workers’ rights. In 2020, we cannot afford to make environmental justice anything less than a priority. As community leaders and public officials, we must be vocal and uplift the voices of those in our community who are impacted and leading on the frontlines like CEJA Action,” said Abigail Medina, candidate for Senate District-23.
“The Environmental Health and Justice Campaign is proud to endorse both Assemblymember Shirley Weber and San Diego City Council President Georgette Gomez, two strong leaders for environmental and racial justice. Hindsight and foresight are essential elements of Assemblymember Shirley Weber’s leadership to author Proposition 16 to give voters a chance to dismantle racist and gender discrimination institutionalized by Prop 209. As the former Associate Director of the Environmental Health Coalition and current City Council President of San Diego, Georgette Gomez centered toxic-free neighborhoods for San Diego’s low income communities of color. This November, San Diego voters have the opportunity to send one of the most effective environmental justice leaders in the country to Congress and re-elect a trusted leader for low income and communities of color to the Assembly,” said Diane Takvorian, Executive Director of Environmental Health and Justice Campaign.
Download the CEJA Action 2020 Voter Guide at www.ceja-action.org/voterguide.
Full List of CEJA Action 2020 Voter Guide Endorsements:
Susan Eggman (SD-5)
Jackie Fielder (SD-11)
John Laird (SD-17)
Monique Limón (SD-19)
Abigail Medina (SD-23)
Alex Lee (AD-25)
Dawn Addis (AD-35)
Steve Bennett (AD-37)
Eloise Gómez Reyes (AD-47)
Fatima Iqbal-Zubair (AD-64)
Shirley Weber (AD-79)
Lorena Gonzalez (AD-80)
Georgette Gómez (CD-53)
YES on Ballot Proposition 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23
NO on Ballot Proposition 14, 19, 20, 22, 24
NEUTRAL on Ballot Proposition 25
CEJA Action Environmental Justice Principles:
- Prioritize and value harm prevention, human health, and improved quality of life
- Do no harm
- Prioritize environmental justice communities
- Engage with impacted communities
- Be proactive
- Take an intersectional approach
- Be responsive
- Respect community expertise
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California Environmental Justice Alliance Action (CEJA Action) builds the political power of communities of color to advance environmentally and socially just policies in California. We accomplish this by engaging voters in communities of color, organizing and training grassroots leaders to engage in civic and electoral politics, and advocacy to advance critical policies that will improve the health and quality of life in communities of color. We believe California’s communities of color are a powerful force for equitable environmental policies and a more participatory, inclusive democracy. www.ceja-action.org