Let’s show up for the people of Houston

Sunrise Movement
Aug 29, 2017 · 2 min read

by Will Lawrence, Sunrise volunteer organizer

My heart is heavy and my eyes are on the news from Houston. I know I’m not the only one.

Join me in supporting the people of Houston — donate to the relief fund here.

Sunrise hubs are preparing their own responses including vigils and fundraisers. If you want to do something but you aren’t sure what to do, just bring people together to talk about how you’re feeling. We could all benefit from having somebody to talk to. When you do bring people together, pass a hat around to collect donations for the relief fund.

Flooding on Telephone Road, Houston

I’m particularly heartbroken for the thousands of people who fled Katrina, made a new life in Houston, and are now reliving an old nightmare. As in Katrina, it is the poor, many of them black or Latino, who are most at risk in the days to come.

Join me in donating to the Hurricane Harvey community relief fund here. This fund is being administered by local organizations who know the area and what’s needed most.

In the coming days, we’ll hear the usual officials saying things like, “Nobody could have predicted this.” That’s crap. A symptom of climate change is storm systems that carry more water and stay in place for longer periods of time. That’s exactly what happened here. But climate denial, funded by billionaire oil executives, has prevented an honest public conversation about the risks. This conversation could have led to preventative measures in Houston.

There will be a time for uplifting words and a plan of action in the weeks to come. But for now I’m sad, and I’m angry, and that’ll have to be enough. If you’re feeling that way too, you’re not alone.

Sunrise Movement

Sunrise is a movement of young people uniting to stop the climate crisis. We are building an army of young people to break the hold of oil and gas CEOs on our politics and elect leaders who will protect the health and wellbeing of all people, not just a wealthy few.

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Sunrise Movement

Written by

Sunrise is a movement of young people uniting to stop the climate crisis.

Sunrise Movement

Sunrise is a movement of young people uniting to stop the climate crisis. We are building an army of young people to break the hold of oil and gas CEOs on our politics and elect leaders who will protect the health and wellbeing of all people, not just a wealthy few.

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