Environmentalists Tip-Toe Around Reasoning For Latest Protest

05.05.2015 | Surge Wire |

Environmentalists are still angry with Hillary Clinton over her silence regarding the Keystone XL pipeline. So angry, in fact, that activists plan to protest outside a Clinton fundraiser in San Francisco.

San Francisco #NoKXL activists will be turning out to meet Hillary Clinton at her fundraiser tomorrow: http://t.co/Htiqk60yes

— Jamie Henn (@Agent350) May 5, 2015

Environmentalists will protest outside a hearing near a San Francisco Clinton fundraiser hosted by Susie Tompkins Buell, co-founder of the clothing company Esprit. Coincidentally, another Clinton fundraiser the same day is hosted by none other than Tom Steyer, a hedge fund billionaire who earned notoriety protesting the Keystone XL pipeline. Environmentalists, however, will not be protesting outside Steyer’s fundraiser for Clinton.

The eco-activists say they’ve chose Buell’s fundraiser over Streyer’s because Buell’s is more convenient.

“We picked Buell instead of Steyer because the location is more convenient (in the middle of the city),” Jamie Henn, a spokesman for activist group 350.org, told Politico Pro. “We’re not protesting the fundraisers, or Clinton for that matter, just making it clear we’d like her to come out against the pipeline, and showing that Keystone XL is an issue that will continue throughout the election if Obama doesn’t reject it.”

Steyer has also been a major benefactor to environmentalists. The former hedge fund manager has spent millions on environmental causes, including the Keystone XL pipeline. Steyer even founded a campaign group, NextGen Climate Action, that uses his personal fortune to try and make global warming a top tier issue. Steyer is a major Democratic donor, spending $75 million of his own money in the 2014 midterm elections attacking Republicans and supporting Democratic candidates.

Environmentalists are still angry with the former Secretary of State for refusing to say whether or not she supports Keystone XL. Eco-activists argue that “Keystone XL is the fuse to one of the biggest carbon bombs on Earth, and would unlock development of Canada’s tar sands oil field.”

“For years, Hillary has bobbed and weaved as reporters have tried to ask her where she stands on the pipeline, always giving some variation of ‘no comment’ in response,” activists wrote on Facebook.

“Wednesday afternoon, as Hillary dines with donors in Pacific Heights, join us to demand a permanent rejection of Keystone XL. Sponsored by Idle No More SF Bay, Center for Biological Diversity, Benicians for a Safe and Healthy Community, Martinez Environmental Group, 350 Bay Area,” the activists wrote.

Steyer’s May 6th fundraiser is being labelled an afternoon “Conversation With Hillary,” according to Politico. The fundraiser comes as Steyer closes the climate policy arm of NextGen and gears up for the 2016 election. NextGen has also welcomed Hillary’s announcement that she will run for president.

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