Friends,

Yesterday was a HUGE day in the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline. A federal court ruled that the pipeline must be shut down and emptied while an environmental review is conducted.

Earthjustice attorney Jan Hasselman, who represents the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, said in a statement, "It took four long years, but today justice has been served at Standing Rock. If the events of 2020 have taught us anything, it's that health and justice must be prioritized early on in any decision-making process if we want to avoid a crisis later on."

This victory reminds us of the ongoing fight to stop the toxic Weymouth Compressor station. In early June, a federal court vacated the air quality permit for the station and asked the state's Department of Environmental Protection to re-do its analysis. This is a huge step, but the fight is far from over.

We can't guarantee that we'll win every fight. But climate justice can only happen if we challenge the status quo. We'll continue to build and apply our people power, often in scenarios where the odds are stacked against us.

You have the power to help us shift those odds. See below for opportunities to join in.

In solidarity,

Alan Palm
Director of Organizing

DEADLINE EXTENDED THROUGH TOMORROW, JULY 8: Sign and Share our Petition for Ballot Questions!

State Representatives often tell us they support 100% renewables, but then the bill dies in committee. How did they actually vote? No one knows. We need:

• 100% Renewables with a just transition
• Transparent voting so reps know we can hold them accountable!

We only have through July 8 to collect enough signatures to get two key questions on the ballot. Fortunately, we can do this electronically! Sign the petition at maclimatedemocracy.org and please share it. Any questions? Email [email protected].

Other 350 Mass News

We're Hiring a Digital Organizer & Communications Specialist: Better Future Project is looking for an experienced, strategic, and collaborative individual to lead our digital organizing efforts. The Digital Organizer supports the statewide volunteer network 350 Mass using digital tools in service of both on-the-ground actions and in-person meetings, as well as decentralized statewide campaigns. Ready to join us? See the listing on our jobs page!

Online Concert to Benefit 350 MA
Mark your calendars for an exciting musical collaboration between the Kalliope Reed Quintet and Playing with the Planet! Please join us on Sunday July 12th at 7pm EST for a Virtual Benefit Concert featuring an exciting mix of contemporary music from this colorful combination of oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone, with all proceeds going to benefit 350MA!

Write a Letter to the Editor: There has never been a better time to take part in 350 Mass' Letters to the Editor (LTE) team. Want to join? Email Alan Palm, Director of Organizing at [email protected] to find out more. Our members have a great success rate in getting letters published!
Read 350 Mass member Deborah Hoffman's letter in the Salem News: Push Gas Companies to Repair Leaks and Kerry Castonguay letter in Worcester Telegram: Let's Get Serious about Preserving the Natural World

Other Climate Movement News

Documentary Viewing and Fundraiser for the Power Shift Network: Support a Black-led climate justice organization and enjoy a screening of The Condor & The Eagle, a documentary that features Indigenous women leaders tackling the global climate crisis. Register here and learn more about the film here. Fri, Jul 10, 7 pm Eastern.

Take Action to Launch U.S. Offshore Wind Energy, Create Jobs, and Protect Wildlife: Send a message to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to show your support for responsibly developing the nation’s first large-scale offshore wind energy project as an important part of the United States’ energy future. Offshore wind energy can be developed responsibly, and this project in particular meets high standard for protecting vulnerable wildlife like the North Atlantic right whale. Sign the petition here.

Tell BlackRock To Divest from Fossil Fuels: BlackRock is the world's leading investor in fossil fuels. Send a postcard urging CEO Larry Fink to be true to his words and "transform finance" in the face of the climate crisis.

Join 350 Mass Action's Voter Activation Kick-Off for Ed Markey for Senate this coming Saturday, July 11th from 10AM to 12PM! RSVP to the event: edmarkey.com/350kickoff
Listen to the senator speak about the heightened importance of the Green New Deal during the time of COVID, get your questions answered, and start organizing in your region!

Tell MA House Leadership to let cities and towns Divest from Fossil Fuels 
Fossil fuel stocks are high risk, the worst performers in the stock market for a decade and now plummeting further due to the pandemic. Currently, state regulators say that local retirement systems need a legislative statute to divest.
Please email your State Representative by July 10 and ask that they urge Speaker DeLeo to bring H4440 to a vote this year. 

Solidarity Opportunities

The #MALeg Must Act on Emergency Paid Sick Time
Take action in support of An Act Relative to Emergency Paid Sick Time (H.4700 / S.2701) State Representatives on the Commonwealth Resilience and Recovery Special Committee have a opportunity to advance this legislation NOW and protect the 1.8 million working people of MA without access to job protected, paid sick time.

Ask Governor Baker for an Equitable Reopening Response: The Governor's reopening policies have shown disregard for the health of Black & Latinx residents, low-wage workers, and those hardest hit by #COVID19. #StopTheClock & act now to implement policies that value the lives of those most impacted! Learn more here.

M4BL Petition for an Equitable Recovery: The Movement for Black Lives and Black organizations from across the country are demanding a stop the spread and lasting harm of COVID-19 but also a recovery that benefits everyday people, not just big corporations. Sign the petition here.

About Better Future Project and 350 Mass