Sunrise Movement Founder Varshini Prakash Responds to the 2018 Midterm Elections
“I founded Sunrise Movement last year in order to kick out corrupt politicians backed by Big Oil and elect a new generation of leaders who will fight for my generation. Last night was bittersweet. Young people voted in record numbers, many supporting visionary campaigns that imagined a more just and fair America that takes the climate crisis seriously. In fact, 19 of the 34 new House Democrats won without a dime of money from fossil fuel CEOs and lobbyists. This is unprecedented and should be celebrated. Still, our political system continues to be rigged in favor of the rich and powerful who spent hundreds of millions of dollars to block candidates and ballot measures that threatened their profits.
“To Pelosi and the new Democratic leadership in the House: we hear you have no plan to combat climate change. This is unforgivable. Our generation will no longer tolerate empty promises or words without action. We’re not expecting miracles; we understand the GOP is corrupted by dirty oil money and will stall us at every turn. We know that sweeping change isn’t possible until Trump is gone — but we need to start laying the groundwork now. We’re asking Pelosi and Democratic leaders to take up this fight alongside us, or step aside and make way for new leadership who will.”
Varshini Prakash, Co-Founder
###
