Ian Brickey, (202) 675-6270 or ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, July 21, the House of Representatives voted to approve the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, this year’s $740 billion annual military spending bill. A provision within this year’s NDAA requires the Pentagon to change the names of ten military installations currently named after Confederate military leaders within three years. It would also remove Confederate likenesses, symbols and paraphernalia from defense facilities nationwide within the same timeframe. The move comes after more than a month of protests against white supremacy nationwide, spurred by the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police on May 25, in which numerous monuments to Confederate leaders and white supremacists have been removed or torn down by activists.
In response, Sierra Club Military Outdoors campaign manager Rob Vessels released the following statement:
“The legacy represented by the Confederate flag is a legacy of racism and white supremacy. The men who fought to uphold that racist legacy should not be honored with their names on American military bases. As we continue our national conversation on systemic oppression, we must work to undo the injustices of the past and build a more just and equitable country for all. This includes removing all Confederate symbols from our public lands and spaces.
“The Sierra Club is pleased the House of Representatives is taking the initiative to remove the names of Confederate leaders from military installations and hope the Senate will follow suit when it considers the NDAA later this month.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.