April 28, 2020
Contact: Paul Diamond, hello@wearerocklandunited.com, 914.420.6562
Contact: Emmy Udry, nyork@youthclimatestrikeus.org, 845.596.6195
Rockland County, NY — Rockland United and New York Youth Climate Strike are calling out Evelyn Farkas, Democratic candidate in New York Congressional District 17, for taking $13, 250 dollars from fossil fuel lobbyists and executives; breaking her promise to refuse fossil fuel money in support of her campaign. The fossil fuel lobby is the leading barrier to passing meaningful climate change legislation in Congress.
“It is well documented in the press that Evelyn Farkas made her pledge to decline money from fossil fuel lobbyists central to her campaign. In recent weeks it has come to the attention of Rockland United and New York Youth Climate Strike that Evelyn Farkas has broken this promise - calling into question her integrity on the issue of climate change, and on her progressive platform in general.”
“In a questionnaire used by the Rockland United steering committee to vet congressional candidates for endorsement, Evelyn Farkas stated: ‘I have pledged to decline any money from fossil fuel lobbyists.’ The steering committee and membership of Rockland United were disappointed to learn that Farkas has since broken that promise and accepted funds from some of the worst offenders in the fossil fuel industry. Meredith Wisner, a member of the steering committee for Rockland United states, ‘addressing the climate crisis is a core issue for Rockland United, and it is central to our decision making when vetting candidates. We need legislators who are not beholden to corporate interests, particularly when it comes to the health of our planet.’”
“New York Youth Climate Strike is joining Rockland United in calling out Evelyn Farkas and her campaign for accepting money from fossil fuel lobbyists. We are deeply upset with the carelessness and disregard for climate justice that Farkas, a candidate hoping to represent us in Congress, has displayed by accepting this money.”
“Rockland United and New York Youth Climate Strike are asking Evelyn Farkas to cease accepting donations from the fossil fuel PACs, industry executives, and lobbyists, and to return the following donations totaling $13, 250:
$4,250 from Pierce Floyd of the CTF Group, which represents clients in tobacco, coal, defense, and chemical production industries.
$2,000 from Caroline Maury Devine, who serves on the board of fossil fuel conglomerate ConocoPhillips, and is a former executive at ExxonMobil.
$2,000 from Michael Berman, of the Duberstein Group, which represents clients in the oil & gas, health insurance, pharmaceutical, and telecom industries.
$1,500 from Ken Duberstein, Ronald Reagan's Chief of Staff, also of Duberstein Group.
$1,250 from Nelson Cunningham, of McLarty Associates, a full-service strategy firm that handles global lobbying on behalf of many major industries, including fossil fuels.
$1,000 from John Negroponte, George W. Bush's Director of National Intelligence and Ambassador to Iraq, also from McLarty Associates.
$1,000 from Mark Tavlarides of the BGR Group, which represents clients in the oil & gas, health insurance, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as a number of foreign governments.
$250 from Pablo Enrique Carrillo, current lobbyist for Squire Patton Boggs and former chief of staff to Sen. John McCain. SPB represents a host of industries, including fossil fuels.”
“Rockland United and New York Youth Climate Strike endorse Mondaire Jones for Congress. He’s the only candidate who recognizes our current climate catastrophe requires bold and immediate action. He supports a Green New Deal without caveats; unlike other Democratic candidates in the field. He has also taken the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge, and does not take corporate PAC money of any kind.
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About Rockland United: Rockland United is a grassroots activist group aimed at moving our county and country forward and ensuring civil rights are protected for our most vulnerable communities. We do this through daily civic actions and outreach, fundraising to support local organizations and candidates who share our values, and organizing events to raise awareness and build community alliances.
About New York Youth Climate Strike: New York Youth Climate Strike is the NY State chapter of the national, youth-led organization US Youth Climate Strike. NY Youth Climate Strike and US Youth Climate Strike are dedicated to fighting for climate justice in the United States and NY State through various direct and community-based actions.