2010 Equity and Inclusion Campaign Meetings and Briefings:

Washington, DC

April 11-13

This spring the Equity and Inclusion Campaign staff, along with 60 Campaign participants from all three Gulf Coast states and all 5 working groups traveled to Washington, DC for two days of advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill and with Obama Administration officials. Members of the Housing, Education, Workers' Rights and Economic Development, Environment and Infrastructure, and Healthcare Workings Groups spent two rigorous days of meetings to advance federal solutions in the five policy areas. From meetings with senior leadership on House and Senate sides to roundtables with senior Obama Administration officials, the trip created opportunities for emerging and seasoned advocates from grassroots communities across the Gulf Coast.

May 20-21

As the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster broke on Gulf shores, the Equity and Inclusion Campaign, along with Oxfam America, brought a small group of ten advocates from communities and constituencies in impacted areas to Washington, DC for two days to hold House and Senate briefings for legislative staff, meet with Obama Administration officials, as well as Members of our Congressional delegation and relevant committees. The days were hectic ones, but essential in our ability to share a narrative from our shores and a platform that outlines the full scope of economic, social, cultural and ecological impacts this disaster has on our communities.

July 27-28

The Equity and Inclusion Campaign, together with Campaign participants across impacted areas of the Gulf Coast, marked the 100th day of the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster in Washington, DC. As the Senate prepared to take up spill related legislation, E&I Campaign participants again called on Congress to increase transparency, oversight and participation through a Gulf of Mexico Regional Citizens Advisory Council; ensure that any long term Restoration Plan includes permanent funding streams for restoration projects; and that any Clean Energy legislation explicitly provides clean energy technology and workforce development investment in oil and gas production economies.