Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Today, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in as President and Vice President of the United States.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“This country belongs to each and every one of us, and the Sierra Club and millions of people across the country join in celebration as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in as the next President and Vice President of the United States. As they take the oath of office on the Capitol steps, they bring with them the opportunity to ensure the promise of democracy and safeguard our drinking water, clean air, and secure a livable planet for all people.
“While we feel a sense of relief that a white supremacist is no longer president, a shadow remains cast over our country. More than 400,000 of our family members, our friends, and our neighbors have died from a pandemic that still rages out of control. Millions have lost their jobs and are grappling with an economy that has created extraordinary wealth for few, while leaving the majority behind. Black and brown people in America continue to live in fear as systemic and systematic racism plagues our nation. The climate crisis continues to endanger communities across the country, threatening our collective future. And just two weeks ago, we witnessed an attack on our democracy.
“While the road ahead is daunting, we have seen what we can accomplish together. Today, we congratulate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and recommit ourselves to building a brighter future for all.”
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.