May 2024 Newsletter

Mark Your Calendar for Green Amendment Day 2024!

National Green Amendment Day is July 13, and this year, we want you to join us in Albany on Friday, July 12, for a positive rally and march to lift up the New York Green Amendment and urge government leaders to embrace their constitutional obligation and the opportunity for better protection that it provides.

Since its passage, the NY Green Amendment is being used in important ways to help communities get environmental protections and environmental justice that was otherwise evading them. Sadly, NY Governor Hochul, NY Attorney General James and the NY Department of Environmental Conservation are largely dismissing the amendment as changing nothing when it comes to their obligation to protect the environment and environmental rights of all New Yorkers. And so we will rally, march and deliver a letter signed by New Yorkers from all over the state demanding that their Green Amendment rights be respected, protected and embraced by New York’s governmental leaders.

If you are from New York, please sign the letter and join us! All details for the event and sign on letter can be found at: bit.ly/GANYrally.

Given that official National Green Amendment Day falls on a Saturday this year, and the rally and march need to take place on a day when government offices are open so they can receive delivery of our letter, the main Green Amendment Day celebration will be Friday, July 12. Stay tuned for other special opportunities occurring on Green Amendment Day, Saturday, July 13. You can find all of the details here.

A growing collaboration of organizations are supporting the rally and march on July 12 including:

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Spotlight

Michigan and Wisconsin Officially Join the Green Amendment Movement

While the legislative session has wound down in some states, with Green Amendment proposals making progress that will strengthen the foundation for next year, we have seen a number of new states jump into the Green Amendment movement with great early progress.

Michigan
Grassroots community education and engagement has been ongoing in Michigan for over a year, and the state now has an official Green Amendment proposal to study, educate and organize around. The language is very robust and sets a good model for other states to follow. Check out this great piece in Planet Detroit from May 8.

Wisconsin
While conversations in Wisconsin only started in recent months, a solid amendment that meets the essential criteria was proposed. The amendment did not make it through the initial committee stages, but given it was proposed late in the legislative session, the amendment has now laid the foundation for progress in the coming year.

California
After a robust hearing in mid-April with strong supportive turnout, the California Green Amendment passed through the Committee on Natural Resources by a vote of 8 to 3. The amendment will soon be considered by the Appropriations Committee. Regardless of the outcome, the amendment has already set a strong trajectory towards success and has received heavy hitting attention. The LA Times Editorial Board penned a strong piece in support of the Green Amendment, and sponsor Assemblyman Isaac Bryan secured some great press coverage, including on Fox 11 where he explained the values of constitutional Green Amendment protections to a broad California audience.

Connecticut
Supported by a growing coalition of organizations and a strong partnership between CT NOFA, GAFTG, and community activists, Connecticut’s Green Amendment proposal (referred to as the CTERA) was highlighted in a joint press conference hosted by a coalition of legislators, organizations and activists, a hearing with the community turning out to testify in support, and successful passage out of the Government Administration and Elections Committee by a vote of 13 to 6. Though the proposal won’t be advancing further this session, we celebrate the progress made in 2024 that sets a strong foundation of engagement for future years.

Keep an eye on what’s happening in your state here.

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Upcoming Events

Saturday, June 1, 1:00pm ET
East Grand Rapids Film Screening & Discussion hosted by the Grand Rapids Climate Coalition

East Grand Rapids Community Center
750 Lakeside Dr.
East Grand Rapids MI 49506
FREE! Register here: bit.ly/MichiganMovie

Join us for a short film to learn how the exploitation of the environment by the energy industry and others inspired one forward thinking legislator to challenge his colleagues to give constitutional protection to environmental rights. And follow the journey of GAFTG Founder Maya van Rossum as she used this concept to bring a successful legal action against the fracking industry and inspire a national movement to secure constitutional environmental rights protections for all people and all generations. Following the film, there will be a discussion on how a Michigan Green Amendment will protect the environmental rights of all Michiganders.

This event is FREE! Sign up here: bit.ly/MichiganMovie

Thursday, June 20, 6 to 7 pm
New Mexico Green Amendment — Getting Up To Speed & Building Momentum
O’Niell’s Pub, 4310 Central Ave SE,
Albuquerque, NM 87108

Join the local New Mexico Coalition members, legislative sponsors, and national Green Amendment expert & Founder Maya van Rossum to get up to date, learn, ask your questions and offer your input on how to secure a Green Amendment for the state of New Mexico, because all of the people in our Land of Enchantment, including future generations, deserve a constitutionally protected right to a healthy environment and climate including clean and healthy water, soil, air, ecosystems and environment.

Friday, July 12, 12:00pm ET
Rally & March to Celebrate the New York Green Amendment
East Capitol Park (east steps of the capitol)
143 State St
Albany, NY 12207
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.

Saturday, July 13
National Green Amendment Day

Keep an eye on our website for exciting virtual celebrations, happening all day.

Follow us on Facebook to stay updated on events across the nation!

Schedule an event with Maya here.

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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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