In a powerful demonstration at San Francisco’s Embarcadero, over 100 federal environmental workers and protesters gathered under a striking bow-and-arrow sculpture on Tuesday afternoon to express their opposition to the Trump administration’s proposed dismantling of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The rally, fueled by unrelenting concerns over the impacts of potential staffing reductions and program cancellations, aimed to highlight the crucial role the EPA plays in safeguarding public health and the environment, particularly in the Bay Area.
Zac Appleton, an employee at the EPA’s Pacific Southwest office and lead steward for Chapter 295 National Treasury Employees Union, shared a stark observation, reporting that he has seen unprecedented emotional distress among his colleagues. “I have seen more people in tears in the last 100 days than I’ve seen in 20 years,” he stated, pointing to a hostile atmosphere stemming from looming reorganization and layoffs.
On Monday, notifications about impending staffing cuts were sent to as many as 60 employees, deepening fears within the agency about the future of environmental protections.
Kelly Andreuzzi, another EPA employee, added to the atmosphere of unease. “Every day we go to work for the good of our country under the constant threat of termination,” she said, encapsulating the anxiety that has pervaded the workplace.
Protests emphasized the essential mission of the EPA to address environmental issues, especially those associated with toxic sites and pollution in the Bay Area. Activists argued that dismantling the agency would have dire consequences, undermining efforts to ensure clean air and water for residents.
Bethany Dreyfus, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 1236, echoed these sentiments, arguing that any reduction in EPA staff would jeopardize vital projects aimed at protecting the American populace. “Once we are gone, the work that we do for the American people is gone, and none of us wants that work to stop,” she stressed.
The rally also addressed the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, seen by administration officials as excessive spending. This scrutiny has resulted in the closure of environmental justice offices nationwide, including one in San Francisco, raising further concerns about equitable environmental protections.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has characterized environmental justice programs as misdirected funds that have allegedly supported left-wing activism, rather than contributing directly to remediation of environmental issues. This view has exacerbated the worry among EPA employees regarding their job security and the ongoing commitment to environmental equity.
Many environmental justice workers received layoff notices, making the future of their roles uncertain. Dreyfus declared that all workers involved in environmental justice were essentially told their positions would be eliminated soon, which reflects broader concerns about the agency’s commitment to these critical areas of work.
Moreover, the Trump administration has made waves by terminating approximately $20 billion in climate grants that were previously allocated by the Biden administration for clean energy and environmental projects. The abrupt cancellation of these funds has not only sparked lawsuits from environmental groups but has also left numerous projects across California in limbo.
In total, more than 63 grants amounting to nearly $260 million were lost, particularly affecting local climate initiatives. Some project organizers reported that they are unaware of their funding statuses because EPA staffers have been instructed to avoid communication about these financial matters.
In addition to cuts in funding, Zeldin has unveiled 31 actions designed to devolve authority to state governments and relax federal regulations. The administration argues that these moves aim to reduce the cost of living while bolstering the energy and automobile industries.
“By driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion, we aim to lower living costs for American families, unleash American energy, and bring auto jobs back to the U.S.,” Zeldin stated, reflecting the administration’s newly aggressive stance on environmental regulation.
As the protests unfolded and fears mounted about the future of the EPA, environmental advocates and workers remain committed to preserving the agency’s vital functions, advocating for the health and safety of all Americans.
image source from：https://www.kqed.org/science/1996664/earth-day-bay-area-epa-workers-rally-constant-threat-termination
