‘An attack on one monument is an attack on all:’ GreenLatinos Joins The Call To Protect Our Marine Monuments

Washington, DC – Today, Trump traveled to Maine and signed a proclamation rolling back

protections of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monument. In signing this

proclamation, Trump is threatening the balance of the ecosystem that has been maintained

through the designation as a marine monument. The following is a statement from Jessica

Loya, GreenLatinos’ Director of Policy & Programs:

“‘An attack on one national monument is an attack on all.’ Trump has continued to show disregard for the protection of our environment as he continues to roll back critical protections in place for our natural resources, ecosystems, and wildlife. The designation of a national monument, such as the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts, are not done in a political vacuum but instead in response to the interests and needs of communities to ensure that those places with “historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest” are protected for generations to come.

This irresponsible and environmentally egregious act will impact the current and future community who depend on well balanced and thriving ecosystems for their livelihoods through sustainable fishing and tourism, and impact the health of our oceans, a significant part of in our fight against climate change. Trump’s proclamation is yet again, an open invitation for corporate profit-driven entities to take advantage of the American people and critically endangering our environment, and endangering marine life. Time and again, Trump has forgone the harmful effects of climate change, with little government accountability and oversight and instead prioritized lining the pockets of corporations. In the midst of this health and economic crisis, Trump has made it his priority to ignore the real issues at hand and push forward with his anti-environmental agenda that will not only affect the people of Maine but will have a trickling negative health and economic impact on frontline communities most impacted by climate change and the pandemic. 

We must preserve the diverse and breathtaking wildlife that reside in these marine monuments, and we must call out the environmental injustices that occupy within the administration.”

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GreenLatinos is a national network of Latino environmental and conservation advocates committed to addressing national, regional and local environmental, natural resources and conservation issues that significantly affect the health and welfare of the Latino community in the United States. GreenLatinos provides an inclusive table at which its members establish collaborative partnerships and networks to improve the environment; protect and promote conservation of land and other natural resources; amplify the voices of minority, low-income and tribal communities; and train, mentor, and promote the current and future generations of Latino environmentalists.