American Jewish World Service Mobilizes American Jews To Participate in People’s Climate March in Washington, D.C.

Leading global Jewish human rights organization demands justice for people in poor communities in the developing world who bear the brunt of climate change

NEW YORK, NY – American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish organization advocating for justice for people in the developing world who are bearing the brunt of the catastrophic effects of climate change, will participate in the People’s Climate March in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, April 29th.

Supporters of AJWS will march with thousands of other Americans who are united by their grave concern about President Trump’s harmful environmental policies and proposals, which threaten to worsen the horrific effects of climate change and its disproportionate impact on poor communities worldwide.

As part of AJWS’s grantmaking, rooted in the Jewish tradition of tzedakah or giving charitably for justice, AJWS supports activists in more than 100 indigenous and local communities in 13 countries around the world who are battling the disproportionate impact of climate change on their communities.

“As Jews, we believe that the earth, its inhabitants and the universe are part of a whole and that we are obligated to safeguard them. At this crucial time, we are taking up our obligation to repair the world. We are working to reverse the causes of climate change and seeking justice for poor people in the developing world who bear the brunt of the damaging storms, droughts and floods caused by climate change,” said Robert Bank, AJWS President and CEO.

“We are sponsoring and building support among American Jews for the People’s Climate March. We are taking up our responsibility to repair the world by expressing our grave concern about the reckless environmental policies and proposals of the Trump administration, which promise to exacerbate climate change and ensure greater suffering worldwide, especially in poor communities in the developing world.

“The Trump administration is doing exactly the opposite of what the earth, the environment and people worldwide need at this time, and we stand proudly as Jews to object in the strongest terms to these shortsighted and damaging policies. We call on all American Jews and Jewish institutions to speak out against these policies and stand up for the earth and the environment. Together, we must pursue justice for people worldwide who are suffering from the effects of climate change.

“We are especially concerned because indigenous peoples and the rural poor in the developing world have done the least to cause global warming, but they suffer the most from the impact of climate change,” Bank said. “They are grappling with rising seas, more frequent and powerful storms and devastating droughts that threaten their homes, food supply and lives.

“The communities that AJWS supports are on the frontlines of climate change. They include: small farmers in India, whose crops are being destroyed by extreme monsoons, droughts and unpredictable seasons; coastal villagers in Haiti, whose homes were washed out to sea by Hurricane Matthew; and communities in Kenya and Uganda that are absorbing waves of refugees, escaping the severe famine in East Africa.

“We cannot stand idly by as the poorest people on Earth bear the brunt of a problem created by the wealthiest nations on Earth, including the United States. As American Jews, we must raise our voices in solidarity with poor people worldwide whose communities are threatened.”

To register and participate with AJWS in the People’s Climate March, please click here.

 

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About American Jewish World Service

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to realize human rights and end poverty in the developing world. AJWS defends civil and political rights, advances sexual health and rights, promotes climate justice and aids communities in the aftermath of disasters. We pursue lasting change by supporting grassroots and global human rights organizations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and by advocating for U.S. and international policies for justice and equality worldwide. Learn more at www.ajws.org.

In 2016, AJWS supported the critical work of 21 organizations around the world promoting climate justice and defending the land and water rights of communities facing unbridled economic development.

In the weeks leading up to the People’s Climate March, AJWS President and CEO Robert Bank is available for interviews. If you wish to interview Robert, please contact David L. Marcus at AJWS at dmarcus@ajws.org.

For More Information

If you are a member of the press and wish to obtain information about our work or speak to a member of our global team on deadline, please contact Tanyanika Davis, Director of Media Relations, at tdavis@ajws.org.