FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Climate Justice Alliance
Liana Lopez, U.S. Communications Coordinator
(346) 266-9798 CST, [email protected]
Maricelis Rivera Santos, Puerto Rico Communications Coordinator
(787) 615-2876 AST, [email protected]
CJA #OurPowerPR SOLIDARITY BRIGADES REBUILD PUERTO RICO
Multiple “Just Recovery and Resilient Rebuild” Delegations Arrive in January
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] The #OurPowerPR Solidarity Brigade launched by the Climate Justice Alliance, Organización Boricuá, UPROSE, Black Dirt Farm Collective, Greenpeace, The Leap and 25 other partner organizations in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, arrive in Puerto Rico this month with three new delegations and 45 people to support Just Recovery and Rebuild projects focused on food, labor and energy sovereignty led by grassroots groups in Puerto Rico.
The campaign, which began October 11th in response to climate disasters of Hurricane Irma and Maria, provides a proactive vision, strong coordination and a regenerative economic and environmental approach to the crisis led by the Borinquen people. The Puerto Rican people and the Caribbean diaspora are leading political pressure on the Island and in the States to demand:
- Justice over the Jones Act
- The end of PROMESA
- A robust Just Recovery Federal Aid Package for the people of Puerto Rico
- Support for brigades and donations to grassroots groups on the ground
UPCOMING BRIGADES
January 17 – 24th: The Just Transition Alliance and local labor partners hold strategy meetings to assess the state of work in Puerto Rico.
January 22 – 28th: Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE, Naomi Klein author and journalist of The Shock Doctrine, and Angela Adrar, Executive Director of the Climate Justice Alliance assess the impacts of disaster capitalism post-Maria and document community-centered solutions to the issues of food sovereignty, energy democracy and the overall degradation from environmental injustice in Orocovis (Organización Boricuá), the South (IDEBAJO), Vieques (Finca Concienca), and Humacao (CAM).
January 22 – February 3rd: Food sovereignty delegates will work to rebuild agroecology youth farm schools and organic family farms in Orocovis, Naranjito, and Vieques.
* February 3 – 7th: Sister Island Solidarity brigade from Vieques to St Croix to rebuild the farm structures of founding member forSAAFON in St. Croix. This is an ally brigade lead by Black Dirt Farm Collective and Organización Boricuá.
PUBLIC FORUMS AND EVENTS
January 26th, 10am – 12pm AST:
Disaster Capitalism and Just Transition Narrative Forum with PAReS, CJA, IDEBAJO (Organized by PAReS and the Climate Justice Alliance)
PANELISTS:
Elizabeth Yeampierre (UPROSE, OurPowerPR-NYC, Climate Justice Alliance)
Naomi Klein (author of Shock Doctrine and Intercept Journalist)
Ruth “Tata” Santiago (IDEBAJO-Iniciativa de Eco Desarrollo de Bahía de Jobos)
Eva Prado (El Frente Ciudadano por la Auditoría de la Deuda)
Mariolga Reyes Cruz (Profesoras y Profesores Autoconvocados en Resistencia Solidaria, PAReS)
FB EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/209287936294705
LIVE STREAM BROADCAST: 10am – 12pm AST: www.facebook.com/OurPowerCampaign
January 27th, 8:30am – 5pm AST:
Community Forum and Arts for Resistance at Humacao with the Community Support Groups (CAM), energy, food sovereignty, and health groups, to combat disaster capitalism and put forth alternative systems for a Just Transition.
Where: Loma de la Niña Mariana, Barrio Mariana, Humacao
January 27th, 6pm – 9pm AST:
Art for Resistance Event with the CAM and local artists
LIVE STREAM BROADCAST 6pm – 9pm AST: www.facebook.com/OurPowerCampaign
FOLLOW THE BRIGADES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: OurPowerCampaign
Instagram: @cjaourpowercampaign
Twitter: @CJAOurPower
Hashtags: #OurPowerPR #JustRecovery #CJA
As part of farmer-to-farmer solidarity, Gail delivers hands on support for the work of the Boricua Organization for Ecologic Agriculture of Puerto Rico, a 28-year old farmer-led organization dedicated to rebuilding the island’s food sovereignty and supporting farmers. These farmers and their work represent a critical piece of food production, health and livelihood in Puerto Rico.