Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org, 804-519-8449
**WATCH the illumination and VIEW photos **
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Protect the Arctic Refuge. The message illuminated Trump International Hotel sending a hard to miss directive to Republican leaders in Washington, D.C. currently rushing through the tax scheme. The plan seeks to offset tax cuts for the wealthy and corporate polluters with revenue from drilling in the Arctic Refuge’s coastal plain-- an area vital for the survival of the Gwich’in Nation, and one of the country’s last remaining wild places.
“I’m out in the freezing cold tonight to stand with the Gwich’in people and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,” said Robert Vessels, US Army veteran and Sierra Club Military Outdoors representative. “I would urge all Americans to call your elected officials and tell them to vote no on this tax bill.”
Featuring actual quotes from people across the country, the projection demonstrates the widespread opposition to opening the sensitive coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge to oil and gas drilling.
“One of the only ways to make the Republican tax scheme even more unpopular is to add drilling in the Arctic Refuge,” said Lena Moffitt, senior director of Sierra Club’s Our Wild America campaign. “The American people are clear in their opposition to sacrificing this wild place. Support for protecting the Arctic Refuge has been shouted from rallies on the Hill and in member’s districts, delivered to offices in writing, sung by carolers, displayed in ice sculptures and now projected in giant letters. It’s a can’t miss message that Congress must note and reject this rigged tax scheme.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.