Friend,

Dr. King once said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

That's why we can't ignore what's happening in our frontline communities: Climate change is our biggest existential threat as a nation, and it's widening the gulf of inequality between us.

Communities of color and low-income communities are hit first and worst by climate change, and that's why justice must be at the center of any plan to combat the climate crisis.

We cannot let this injustice go unnoticed -- which is why I am not stopping! I'm asking all 2020 Democratic presidential candidates to take up my Community Climate Justice plan to advance environmental, economic, and racial justice to build an inclusive clean energy economy for all -- add your name to join me.

Recent studies have shown that communities of color, including Hispanic and black communities, suffer from more harmful air pollution than their white counterparts.

Not only that: Historically "redlined" communities -- communities of color that have faced housing discrimination -- suffer double the amount of air pollution and 2.4 times the number of hospital admissions for asthma compared to other neighborhoods in the same cities.

The facts are clear: The impacts of climate change and pollution disproportionately hurt marginalized communities, and they are major contributing factors in ongoing racial and income inequality.

I hope candidates celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King today heed his words and show communities of color that they're taking the lead on environmental justice and will prioritize community-led solutions. We can't wait, and our friends and neighbors need to know this is a priority.

Defeating the climate crisis is about leveling the playing field, and that's why I'm calling on all 2020 Democratic presidential candidates to prioritize my community-led climate justice plan: Add your name to join in.

Very truly yours,

Jay