Friend — each year, Juneteenth brings a celebration of the resilience and independence of our country’s Black communities, while reminding us, in the eternal words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., that "justice too long delayed is justice denied."

Although President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863, it wasn’t until June 19th, 1865 that enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom. That is why our country now officially commemorates June 19th, or “Juneteenth,” as the day when the nation’s last enslaved people finally received word of their long overdue emancipation.

Despite all of the progress we’ve made since then, Black communities continue to be disproportionately harmed by climate change, polluted air and water, voter suppression, and exclusion from conservation and recreation opportunities. And extreme lawmakers in Congress are working nonstop to defund, block, and overturn efforts to rectify these historic injustices.

For example, on June 5, anti-environmental lawmakers in the House voted 209-197 to pass H.R. 8580, which would block all funding for the Biden-Harris administration’s environmental justice agenda, known as Justice40 for its goal of directing at least 40% of federal clean energy and climate investments to communities that are overburdened by pollution.

This and other bills targeting environmental justice are headed to the Senate — we need your help to make it clear that the environmental movement will not accept any legislation that delays, defunds, or blocks environmental justice from Black and other historically marginalized communities.

Please, take action today. Write to your elected officials and tell them to oppose any legislation that reverses course on environmental justice. It only takes a moment to make your voice heard >>

Under President Biden’s Justice40 commitment, at least 40% of federal investments in combating climate change, upgrading to clean energy infrastructure, and building sustainable housing are set to be directed to communities that have been disproportionately impacted by climate change and pollution, including Black communities. 

Ever since the Biden administration announced this commitment, extreme MAGA lawmakers have vowed to overturn it and eliminate environmental justice funding altogether. Their relentless attacks continue a racist legacy of delaying and denying justice of all kinds to Black communities, including protection from pollution, the freedom to vote, and equal economic opportunity.

LCV is proud to fight for a healthier planet and a stronger democracy for all Americans — and we’re so grateful to have you in our movement. This Juneteenth, we hope you’ll join us in taking action: tell your lawmakers today that they must oppose any legislation that reverses course on environmental justice >>

Thank you, Friend. We’ll be in touch soon with more updates on our campaigns for people and our planet.

Onward,

LCV Membership Team