The Sunrise Movement’s relationship with the Biden administration may soon be on ice.
The progressive climate coalition is gearing up to stage a protest outside the White House on Friday in an attempt to persuade President BidenJoe BidenWHO warns of continent-wide third wave of coronavirus infections in Africa 30 House Democrats urge Biden to do more for global vaccine distribution Manchin isn’t ready to support Democrats passing infrastructure on their own MORE to rethink his bipartisan negotiation strategy with Republicans over their infrastructure plans. Biden is slated to hold another round of talks with Sen. Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Wellons Moore CapitoManchin isn’t ready to support Democrats passing infrastructure on their own The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Biden’s meeting with Queen Elizabeth II Biden proposes minimum 15 percent tax for corporations: report MORE (W.Va.), the lead GOP negotiator, later that day.
The public demonstration represents a striking tactical and tonal shift from the organization’s prior approach to the administration.
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Despite being fervent in their push for top progressive policy ideals like the Green New Deal, the group’s leaders have generally communicated through official channels with the White House. Their outside-in method has allowed them to build a productive relationship with senior officials, with some working diligently to form key alliances early on in Biden’s presidency.
That appears to be changing. Now, the group’s leaders are starting to direct anger openly toward Biden, setting the stage for a potential rift in the collaborative relationship.
“This is the first Sunrise Movement escalated action directly targeting Biden at the White House since he entered the presidency,” a statement from the organization read. “But definitely will not be the last.”
The outdoor event is expected to draw some 50 attendees, including several who are “willing to risk arrest,” said a source involved in the planning. Organizers are already discussing plans for a bigger protest later this month, though by that time it’s possible Democrats on Capitol Hill will have started moving forward on infrastructure legislation without Republicans.
Before the gathering, activists in the youth-focused organization drafted a few specific demands, including asking Biden to meet with Varshini Prakash, the Sunrise Movement’s executive director, as well as constituents over the issue.
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Leaders are also aiming to press the president to move forward with a “fully funded” Civilian Climate Corps, a newly proposed program loosely modeled after a bill brought forth by Sen. Ed MarkeyEd MarkeySenate Democrats urge Google to conduct racial equity audit Senate climate advocates start digging in on infrastructure goals OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden suspends Arctic oil leases issued under Trump | Experts warn US needs to better prepare for hurricane season | Progressives set sights on Civilian Climate Corps MORE (D-Mass.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezHating Trump is no excuse for comparing 1/6 to 9/11 Ocasio-Cortez swipes at Trump after Puerto Rico visit, seeing hurricane damage Senate climate advocates start digging in on infrastructure goals MORE (D-N.Y.).
Biden administration officials have mostly been receptive to working alongside progressives pushing for a variety of special interests. Across policy areas, many on the left expressed enthusiasm for several hires announced by the White House, including some who worked on joint task forces formed with Biden’s campaign and Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersDemocratic divisions threaten Biden’s voting push Parliamentarian: Democrats only get one more chance to sidestep GOP this year Biden sheds hawkish past on deficit with debt-laden budget MORE (I-Vt.) during the Democratic primary. Early into the administration, Sunrise Movement leaders were in contact with Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John KerryJohn KerryWhat US policymakers can glean from Iceland’s clean energy evolution US partners with four other countries to advance marine areas as climate solution Republican state treasurers say they’ll weigh banks’ fossil fuel stance in contracting decisions MORE’s office, among other senior officials.
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“I was invited to the Biden-Sanders Unity Taskforce to help Biden craft policy that was in line with what is necessary to meet the crises facing our nation,” Prakash said in a statement. “Biden moved towards us, promising us a future, and in exchange, we worked tirelessly to get him elected. We held up our side of the deal, but now that Biden is in power, that promise of co-governance with progressives and young people has disappeared.”
“He’s spent more of his time meeting with a Republican Party who to this day contests he is the democratically elected president,” Prakash added.
The source involved in the planning for Friday’s protest said leaders “still have correspondence” with the White House’s climate team, but stressed that, in their view, Biden’s ongoing conversations with Republicans sends the wrong message — a sentiment that has been apparent for several weeks as the administration’s proposed American Jobs Plan remains under consideration for revisions.