In solidarity with all who are fighting for racial justice, Alliance for a Green Economy is asking our supporters to support and donate to Black Lives Matter Syracuse and other groups organizing for desperately needed systemic change.

We add our voices to all those who stand in opposition to attacks, violence and murder against  black, brown, and indigenous people. It goes without saying that unjustified police violence against any member of our society is unacceptable, but the targeting of people on the basis of their ethnicity is a systemic problem that reinforces and perpetuates structural racism that persists in our community, our state, and this country. We call for Justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and for every person of color killed by police or racist vigilantes. We demand an end to structural racism and white supremacy. As people of conscience we must do our part.

We unequivocally say that Black Lives Matter.

In our work for a green economy, we call out environmental racism and work to move resources to communities most impacted by pollution and climate change. We advocate for racial and economic equity in how funding for renewable energy and efficiency is distributed, and we argue for community self-determination so that marginalized communities can have the resources and autonomy to build their own solutions to the crises they face. We will continue to do so, and we will continue to learn how AGREE can be a better ally.

We know this is not enough. Today we ask our supporters to direct resources to those fighting on the front lines for racial justice, police accountability, prison reform/abolition, and reallocation of resources to peace-making and restorative justice. In lieu of our annual spring fundraiser we request that supporters who would normally donate to AGREE in the spring send a donation to Black Lives Matter Syracuse [paypal], OGs Against Gun Violence [GoFundMe], or another organization of your choice that is organizing in this moment.

Over the coming weeks, we will continue to listen to Black members of our community and share more information about ways we can all push for needed structural changes. Although we can never fully account for and repair centuries of harm done to Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) in this country, we must do everything in our power to help create and fund a just future in those communities most deeply affected. 

If you have questions about how these struggles are so critical to our environmental and climate work, we are here to engage in the conversation. 

In Solidarity,

The Staff and Steering Committee of Alliance for a Green Economy

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A growing list that has been circulating of local organizations working for racial justice to follow and learn from:

Black Cuse Pride

Black Leadership Coalition

Black Lives Matter Syracuse New York

Black-Owned Syracuse

Cafe Sankofa Collective

Central New York Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union - NYCLU

City Of Syracuse Citizen Review Board

CuseYouthblm

NAACP of Syracuse and Onondaga County

National Action Network Syracuse Chapter

#NotAgainSU

Minority Paralegal Association

100 Black Men of Syracuse

Onondaga Earth Corps

OG's Against Gun Violence

Raha Syracuse 

Syracuse Police Accountability and Reform Coalition-SPAARC

Unchained

Urban Jobs Task Force

Women’s March Syracuse

We also recommend following these organizations to learn more about environmental racism, environmental justice, and climate justice:

WE ACT for Environmental Justice

New York City Environmental Justice Alliance

Climate Justice Alliance