Following President Biden’s decision to withdraw his candidacy, Sunrise Movement, Gen Z for Change, March for Our Lives, and United We Dream Action sent the following letter to Vice President Kamala Harris:
Vice President Harris,
You have an urgent and important task. To defeat Trump, you must rebuild support and enthusiasm among young voters. You should build on your 2020 campaign platform where you put forward a strong vision to make the economy work for everyday people and ensure a livable future for us all. That includes:
- Creating good, union jobs
- Backing the vision of Green New Deal and ending fossil fuel subsidies
- Continuing the efforts to prioritize gun violence and to invest in public health solutions
- Expanding pathways to citizenship and keeping families together
- Investing in green, affordable housing
- Champion Medicare for All
- Champion the Reverse Mass Incarceration Act
Democrats are at a critical crossroads with young people. Polls showed Biden and Trump neck-and-neck among young voters. You have an opportunity to win the youth vote by turning the page and differentiating yourself from Biden policies that are deeply unpopular with us, such as approving new oil and gas projects, denying people their right to seek refuge and asylum, and funding the Israeli government’s killing of civilians in Gaza. You must speak to the economic pain young people are facing from crushing student debt and skyrocketing housing and food prices.
You could be a historic President. Not just because of who you are, but what you can accomplish. Young people are energized and ready to organize against fascism and for the future we deserve. This is your chance to energize young people and our communities to vote, mount one of the greatest political comebacks in decades, and deliver a resounding defeat to the far-right agenda of Trump and Vance.
Today’s letter follows the groups’ release of a ‘Youth Agenda’ in March outlining how the Biden-Harris administration could rebuild youth support.
