Demanding action and accountability for our community

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021

STATEMENT FROM HEDRICK BELIN, POTOMAC CONSERVANCY PRESIDENT

Wednesday’s unprecedented and deadly assault on our democracy must be forcefully and unequivocally rejected. Individuals and groups at all levels of society must relentlessly defend free and fair elections. 

As an accredited land trust and clean water nonprofit serving this region for over 25 years, Potomac Conservancy takes threats to the health and welfare of our community seriously – whether that be reckless deforestation, special interest polluters, systemic racism, or a sickening act of sedition by the President and his enablers and an attempted coup by domestic terrorists.  

 We demand accountability from those in power for the insufficient response to violent insurrectionists at the Capitol by federal law enforcement which stands in heartbreaking contrast to the continuing egregious treatment of peaceful Black Lives Matter protestors. Without swift and decisive action against those who committed these illegal acts, attacks on our democracy and tragedies perpetrated on this community, such as the death of Officer Brian Sicknick, will continue.   

Our work to protect and defend the health of our streams, drinking water, and forests depends on a functioning democracy. Our collaborative efforts with the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife, and other federal agencies must be supported by nonpartisan decision-making, scientific research and expertise, and freely elected and appointed leadership.   

The collective strength of our local movement reminds us that all hope is not lost.  

We have faith in the power of the people of this democracy and our ability to create systemic change. Together, we can and will ensure the incoming administration pursues environmental protections with integrity and urgency.  

Thank you for standing up for the health of our community, our democratic values, and our environment.