The Hill published an op-ed this week from a member of the Promise to Protect coalition, a group dedicated to training and organizing protests designed to disrupt pipeline projects across the country. The op-ed portrays the organization as a scrappy little mom and pop start-up led by Native American tribes:
In creating prayer camps and putting our bodies on the line to defend our planet, we’ve learned a great deal about taking peaceful and direct action for a cause you believe in. Native leaders are now offering guidance and perspective to communities already working to stop oil and gas extraction while advocating for renewable energy.
And:
Now is our time, with support from a broad coalition, to create a framework for substantive shifts in federal policies, resources and international engagement to address the climate crisis, and to make tribal sovereignty a reality in the 21st century. The fossil fuel corporations driving and profiting from our rapidly warming planet won’t give up easily. It will take a strong multiracial movement of people globally to stop all proposed pipelines and other fossil fuel projects from getting off the ground.
It neglects, however, to mention all of its partners. They include the global multimillion-dollar Greenpeace, which fundraises on its anti-pipeline activities, and 350.org, which refuses to disclose its donors but reportedly receives millions of dollars from the Tides Foundation, George Soros-linked organizations and the Foundation for the Carolinas.
The author also fails to mention that the Hip Hop Caucus is part of its “broad coalition” determined to interfere with lawful pipeline protests across the country. Perhaps that’s because members of the Hip Hop Caucus have a less than stellar environmental record.
The Hip Hop Caucus lists its “influencers” on its website – including some of the biggest names in music today. They’re also some of the biggest fans of fossil fuel-guzzling private air travel. Here are some of the highlights from the Hip Hop Caucus:
- You can watch 2Chainz shop for a private jet here (“This is what success gets you”).
- Drake just bought himself a 767.
- Here’s Big Sean boarding a private jet.
- See Ciara cuddling with Russell Wilson on a private jet.
- Read the story behind Jay Z’s private jet here.
- Ludacris is very proud of his private jet.
And so on.
That’s a lot of big money and big jets for a grass roots-led movement to improve the environment.