World 100219

Vermonters Demand Lobbying
Firm, MMR, Drop
Reprehensible Clients
On September 25, following the Global Climate Strikes
that started on Friday, protesters showed up to the State
House lawn to demand that the lobbying firm MMR drop
many of their “reprehensible clients”. The list included
Vermont Gas, ExxonMobil, National Grid, CoreCivic,
Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Walmart, Procter & Gamble,
and PhRMA. Representatives from the social justice and climate
justice communities in Vermont spoke out against the
MMR’s complicity in systems of oppression and the climate
crisis.
Theora Ward, a longtime member of Protect Geprags
Park, a group that continues to fight Vermont Gas’ pipeline,
said, “We live in a state that has banned the fracking of natural
gas but we have allowed an enormous corporation to
build a 41-mile fracked gas pipeline through our land for one
reason and one reason only – corporate greed. I don’t think
we could get more hypocritical than that.” She noted that the
pipeline was still under investigation over alleged safety and
construction violations.
Tanya Vyhovsky, a social worker, spoke out against companies
like PhRMA, “I am one of millions of Americans who
risks my life every day using expired epi-pens because three
years ago, pharmaceutical company Mylan raised the price
by 400% and Blue Cross Blue Shield raised my co-pay from
$10 to $500 per epi-pen. She continued, “People are losing
their lives every day because they can’t afford to go to the
doctor in an emergency, or are rationing medication. Over
530,000 Americans a year file for bankruptcy because of
medical debt. We are at a crisis point and it’s time to stand up
and demand change.” According to the MMR website, the
lobby firm was instrumental in blocking legislation that
would have put “price controls on pharmaceuticals,” a measure
supported by the Governor, the Speaker of the House,
and the Senate Pro Tempore.
“MMR is helping the fossil fuel industry by lobbying
against divestment, against carbon pricing, against a ban on
fossil fuel infrastructure,” said Maeve McBride, director of
350Vermont. “MMR is helping the fossil fuel industry, and
therefore they are culpable, in part, for the worsening climate
crisis. And the climate crisis is forcing people to relocate.
Migration is going to be necessary for survival, and yet
MMR also lobbies for Core Civic, the private prison company
making millions off of detention centers.”
“Blood money. Look at that list.” said David Van Deusen,
president of the Vermont AFL-CIO, as he pointed to the list
of MMR clients. He continued, “Making money off of other
people’s miseries. And if you can increase that money, that
profit margin, they win.”
Migrant Justice issued a statement in support of
Wednesday’s protest. “Thank you for gathering in solidarity
with farm workers and immigrants in Vermont to call on
MMR to drop CoreCivic as clients because of their role in
private prisons and detention facilities. In addition to being
major climate change drivers, companies like CoreCivic and
ExxonMobil are complicit in the struggles migrant communities
are faced with and play a key role in funding mass
deportation.”
As speeches concluded, Bread and Puppet Theater presented
a puppet show, featuring a gigantic puppet of the
Vermont Gas pipeline depicted as a monstrous, many-legged
pig.
The event was followed by a march to MMR’s office on
Court St., where some protestors left a banner. The banner
read, “MMR stop lobbying for: Vermont Gas, ExxonMobil,
CoreCivic, Johnson & Johnson”, and several more companies,
and it was signed by the attendees of the event.
Groups supporting the event included 350Vermont, the
Vermont Climate Strike Coalition, Rights and Democracy,
the Peace & Justice Center, and Migrant Justice.
• • •
Vermont Joins Lawsuit Challenging
Rollback of Endangered Species Act
Protections
Attorney General T.J. Donovan today joined a coalition of
18 attorneys general and the City of New York to file a lawsuit
challenging the federal government’s rollback of the
Endangered Species Act (ESA). For over 45 years, the ESA
has been an essential conservation tool that has protected
thousands of iconic species, including the peregrine falcon,
bald eagle, California condor, grizzly bear, and humpback
whale. Today’s lawsuit challenges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service’s decision
to finalize three rules that undermine the key requirements
and purpose of the ESA.
“These rules gut protections for threatened and endangered
species, including many found here in Vermont,” said
Attorney General Donovan. “The rules ignore climate
change and inject economic considerations into what, by
law, should be a science-driven analysis. The result jeopardizes
the survival of species on this planet. This is unlawful
and unacceptable.”
The ESA was enacted in 1973 to halt and reverse the trend
toward species extinction, whatever the cost. The federal
government’s rules would dramatically weaken current protections
and reduce federal ESA enforcement and consultation,
putting endangered species and their habitats at risk of
elimination. In Vermont, there are 52 animal species listed as
endangered or threatened, 8 of which are listed under the
ESA. In addition, there are 163 plant species listed, 3 of
which are listed under the ESA. If enacted, these rules would
weaken protections of wildlife both within Vermont and
outside the state while also placing additional burdens on the
State to protect this irreplaceable resource.
Joining Attorney General Donovan in the coalition are
attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut,
Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New
Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and the District of
Columbia, as well as New York City.
CONTACT US
editor@vt-world.com
sales@vt-world.com
www.vt-world.com
Fax:
(802)479-7916
403 Route
302-Berlin
Barre, VT 05641
Telephone
(802)479-2582
1-800-639-9753
5” Residential & 6” Commercial
Free Estimates / Fully Insured
Custom Gutters
Available in colors to match
Made from the heaviest weight
aluminum .032 gauge
We offer a 20-Year warranty
on materials and 5-Year
workmanship
guarantee
All Seamless Copper & Aluminum Plus Half-Round Classics
Superior Installation–We Use Bar Hangers, Which Are Screwed
Into The Fascia Board For Greater Durability
30th Annual
Karen Kitzmiller
Memorial
Winter Coat
Drive
The Need is Great.
The Time is Now.
Help a Neighbor…
Donate a Coat.
Needed! Clean good quality winter coats,
snowpants, boots, hats, and mittens.
All sizes-Adult & Children.
Also collecting quilts, comforters
and blankets.
Donations are being accepted now:
Community National Bank
95 State Street, Montpelier
Now through October 25, 2019
During office hours
All items being distributed are FREE!
Distribution will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2019
Community National Bank
316 North Main St., Barre
Saturday, October 26, 2019
9:00 am - until Noon
In Partnership With
800-499-6326
802-334-6326
Visit Our Website:
www.willeysgutters.com
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
In Loving Memory
Community National Bank
316 North Main St., Barre
Now through October 25, 2019
During office hours
Montpelier City Hall
Saturday, October 26, 2019
9:00 am - 2:00 pm.
October 2, 2019 The WORLD page 7