PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA –  In the weeks since he took office, President Trump has waged an all-out assault on crucial federal programs designed to protect public health, safeguard our environment, and spur a clean energy revolution. Climate leaders – including elected officials and top experts – came together in Pittsburgh Saturday to encourage lawmakers to reject the Trump administration’s efforts that are endangering the health and safety of the American public.

At Saturday’s rally at Flagstaff Hill Pavilion, Representative Summer Lee (PA-12), joined Pittsburgh District 8 Councilperson Erika Strassburger, Former Monessen Mayor Matt Shorraw and Wilkinsburg Borough Councilmember NaTisha Washington to call attention to the Trump administration’s blatant attacks on climate, environmental justice, and the clean energy economy. Bold action is needed now more than ever, they argued, in the face of the devastating impacts of the climate crisis, including the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Leaders at the rally also unveiled a 20×30-foot flag of the climate stripes, a powerful visual representation of the rising temperatures from 1850 to the present.

“Pittsburgh knows how to fight back. We are a union town. A movement town,” said Congresswoman Summer Lee. “A city that has led the way on climate solutions. And we are not about to let some morally corrupt politicians and their billionaire buddies take us backward. While the people of Pittsburgh are working hard to build a future with clean air, safe water, and good union jobs in the industries of tomorrow, the Trump administration is doing everything in its power to drag us back to an era of pollution, corporate greed, and economic instability. Pittsburghers know that climate can’t wait, and we will not sit back while this administration tries to dismantle our progress and poison our communities.”

“We can’t allow our public health to be jeopardized and we can’t afford to lose good-paying jobs in the clean energy industry, ” said Former Monessen Mayor Matt Shorraw. “As a lifelong Pennsylvania resident, I have seen the true impact and necessity of climate protections. Our future depends on moving forward towards a cleaner, healthier environment. We can’t afford to go backwards.” 

“Attacks on federal clean energy and climate investments put our communities at grave risk. The investments and standards adopted over the past several years provide crucial assistance to local communities like Wilkinsburg and safeguard our environment from corporate polluters,” said Wilkinsburg Borough Councilmember NaTisha Washington. “We must call on our elected leaders in Washington to reject the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the good work that’s been done to build a clean energy economy and protect public health.”

Food & Water Watch Pennsylvania State Director Megan McDonough, a co-sponsor of the event said:

“The Musk-Trump agenda is clear – break the government, loot it, and privatize it. We need to fight back at every turn. Pennsylvanians know that this is no time to walk away from climate action. Fossil fuel production has brought increased  cancer rates, respiratory issues from legacy air pollution, and undrinkable water to our communities — we are demanding better. We need bold, decisive federal policies to address the deep-rooted issues that have spanned decades and continue to impact hundreds of thousands of people. Without the support to move off fossil fuels, PA will remain entrenched in the devastating legacy of oil and gas, struggling to undo the massive environmental damage left across the Commonwealth.”

Drone footage and photos from the event will be available in this folder.