Enforcing Our Environmental Rights
Among the goals of Green Amendments For The Generations is to have an on-staff legal team that can directly represent community plaintiffs to help enforce their Green Amendment rights once secured. Until we obtain the resources to develop that on-staff team, we are working to offer insights and information for the legal actions that are advancing, and when we can are working to file amicus briefs to support impacted communities who are arguing for the proper and strong interpretation of their right to a clean, safe and healthy environment.
On Friday, April 5, Green Amendments For The Generations joined with the Delaware Riverkeeper Network to file an amicus brief supporting Fresh Air For the East Side’s interpretation of the New York Green Amendment. If the court accepts the legal analysis and findings contained in the amicus brief, it would be a big boost for the legal posture taken by the plaintiffs in the precedent-setting Fresh Air For The Eastside v. the State of New York, et. al, which is the first case to have secured rulings on the proper interpretation and application of New York’s newly-passed Article 1 Section 19 of the state constitution, aka the New York Green Amendment.
You can read the full Press Release and Amicus Brief here.
The FAFE Case was brought by neighbors harmed by air pollution from the High Acres Landfill that was operating pursuant to a permit issued by the NY DEC. According to the factual record, the Landfill causes emissions laced with hazardous substances, fugitive greenhouse gas emissions, and the release of persistent and noxious odors that are harmful to neighboring residents, the environment and the climate.
“Until the New York Green Amendment was passed, this community was being overwhelmed by the air contamination emanating from the landfill, and they were being ignored by the state entrusted to protect them. The New York Green Amendment has given them a seat at the table. Ensuring the ability to make their case regarding protection of their rights to a clean and healthful environment is what’s at stake here, for FAFE and for all communities who find themselves burdened by the devastations of environmental pollution and desecration,” said Maya van Rossum, Founder of the national Green Amendments For The Generations movement and also the Delaware Riverkeeper.
Spotlight
Green Amendments For the Generations Board Member Nicole Maestas-Olonovich
Green Amendments For The Generations is a nonprofit organization overseen by a dedicated Board of Directors who volunteer their time to serve our mission of securing constitutional Green Amendments nationwide. This month we wanted to share with you a message written by our Vice Chair, Nicole Maestas-Olonovich.
“Hello fellow environmental activists, advocates, and land protectors!
My name is Nicole Maestas-Olonovich from New Mexico and you might know a little about me from the 2nd edition of the Green Amendment, the People’s Fight for a Clean, Safe & Healthy Environment. If you have not gotten the 2nd edition, I highly recommend it as it talks about people like me who have been impacted for life because of environmental toxins.
As the new Vice Chairwoman of the Green Amendments For The Generations Board of Directors, I wanted to share a little about myself with all those fighting for Green Amendments around the USA. I am a disabled veteran of war, exposed to burn pits at 19 years old. I now have to live with the consequences of that pollution and hope that elected leaders do not worsen my conditions by further damaging our air, water, soil, and the environment I live in. This is why I fight. I know firsthand what it means to have to make sure the water you’re drinking doesn’t make you sick, and monitor the air you are breathing so as to not burn your air passage further.
As a first-time mother of an infant, a low income woman making it day-to-day, daughter of two loving LGBTQIA mothers, and a proud Chicana activist — we have to stand up to the exploitative and extractive industry that puts profits over people. The communities, like mine, that are tossed away, viewed as sacrifice zones, bartering chips for elected officials who prey on our overburdened and undereducated communities, must stop.
I am here to say NO MORE!
Actions that prioritize fossil fuels over our human right to exist in a healthy environment are happening around the globe, and we as the habitants of this land are gaining the courage to call out bad behaviors and practices that normalize the harms that have been going on for too long. And we are not going anywhere.
I’m proud to be on the Board and working in all my capacity to be your voice, to encourage, engage, and help others find their voice to say NO MORE!
I look forward to my time with you and fighting alongside you for a livable future for generations to come.
Warmly,
Nicole Maestas-Olonovich
MSW, MBA, Combat Veteran
Vice Chair, The Green Amendment for the Generations
“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” —Shirley Chisholm”
Just in Time for Earth Day: the Green Amendment Guardian Cuff Bracelet
Show your love of the earth and support for Green Amendments with one of a kind artisan jewelry. You will love wearing this sleek and empowering piece with unique meaning to this powerful movement. All proceeds support environmental protection. Also available is a special pendant bearing a representation of the critically endangered Atlantic Sturgeon of the Delaware River. Pre-order today at bit.ly/earthdayjewelry.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, April 20, 2:30pm ET
2024 Great Lakes Environmental Festival
Manistee High School
525 12th St
Manistee, MI 49660
Join us in person to meet the Founder of the Green Amendment for The Generations Movement, Maya K. van Rossum, at the 2024 Great Lakes Environmental Festival! Maya will be speaking on the power of the Green Amendment and the ongoing movement in Michigan, followed by an open forum discussion. Local Green Amendment leaders will also have an informational display in the Environmental Expo Hall. Stop by throughout the day to meet Maya, get a signed copy of her book, The Green Amendment, the People’s Fight to Secure a Clean, Safe & Healthy Environment, and even get the chance to win a free copy! Great Lakes Environmental Festival will be generously giving away one copy of the book every hour – just enter your name into the drawing for the chance to bring home a free copy for your friends, family, or yourself! Learn more at www.glef.us.
Tuesday, April 23, 6:00pm ET
Exclusive Interview with Acclaimed Journalist Justin Nobel
Virtual, Register here.
Join Green Amendments for the Generations and its sister organization, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, for an exclusive interview with acclaimed investigative science journalist and author, Justin Nobel, to discuss his newly released book, Petroleum-238. In his latest work of nonfiction, Nobel delves into the operations of the oil and gas industry and uncovers the dirty, radioactive secret of what the industry does with the billions of tons of toxic waste it produces on a yearly basis. Just where does this toxic and often radioactive waste product end up? How is industry able to skirt our environmental laws and what do we know about the resulting public health crisis? Find out in this interview and also have an opportunity to ask Justin questions about his work. When you register, you can also enter to be one of the 3 potential winners to get a signed copy of Justin’s book.
Friday, July 12, 12:00pm ET
Rally & March to Celebrate the New York Green Amendment
On the east steps of the NY State Capitol
State St. and Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12224
RSVP Here
Join leaders, activists, and Green Amendment plaintiffs for a rally and march to lift up the protections the NY Green Amendment is providing communities & challenge Governor Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and the new NY DEC Commissioner to embrace the opportunity & obligation for protection the amendment demands.
If you are an organization that would like to be listed as a supporter of the event, sign up here. All we ask is that you help spread the word about the rally and we will recognize your organization in event materials and on website, event pages and press.
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Schedule an event with Maya here.
We Need Your Support. As the only organization working nationally to provide legal expertise, collaborate on strategy, and create informational resources to advance each state’s effort, Green Amendments For the Generations needs your financial support now more than ever.
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