July 27, 2020
The Angeles Chapter will be hosting its Political Leadership Awards online this year. The annual event is a fundraiser for the California Sierra Club Political Action Committee (PAC) and the theme this year is “Climate for Democracy, Democracy for Climate!” The event will take place from 4 to 6 pm on Sunday, August 23rd. The Angeles Chapter Political Committee chose the theme to emphasize the connection between protection of the environment and protection of fundamental rights of justice, equity, and democracy.
In addition to having fun and raising money to support pro-environment candidates, we will be honoring environmental heroes who have worked and voted consistently to protect the environment locally and globally. State Senator Henry Stern will serve as master of ceremonies. Sierra Club President Ramon Cruz and Executive Director Michael Brune will provide insider briefings on the Sierra Club’s strategy for the 2020 elections.
Every year this event has allowed politicians and members and activists to mingle and schmooze just as the election campaign is heating up. This year, although the event will be online, we will be utilizing a platform that will allow small group, “face-to-face” conversations before and after the formal program. The cyber doors will open at 4 p.m. for these conversations before the program starts at 4:30. The doors reopen again at 5:30 after the program. You will be able to catch up with friends you may not have seen during the COVID quarantine or chat with Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune.
If there was ever was an election during which we need to support candidates who will fight promote environmental justice and defend our democracy against voter suppression, 2020 is that year. The advances California has made to protect the environment, from the Coastal Act to the Air Resources Board to the Clean Water Act to legislation to reduce greenhouse gases, all have come from an engaged citizenry who voted for pro-environment candidates. We need political leaders who will boldly address the climate crisis.
The California Sierra Club PAC is how the Sierra Club financially supports the campaigns of pro-environment state and local candidates in California. Please buy a ticket to or, even better, become a sponsor of this year’s Political Leadership Awards. Scroll down to sponsorship and tickets. If you can’t attend, you can still make a donation.
The list of 2020 honorees so far includes:
- US Congress Member Ted Lieu
- US Congress Member Mark Takano
- State Assembly Member Cottie Petrie-Norris
- State Assembly Member Ed Chau
- Food & Water Watch
All these political leaders, and Food & Water Watch, have been stalwart supporters of environmental legislation and programs, and defenders of democracy and justice.