As mayor of Cleveland and Co-Chair of America Is All In, I stand firmly opposed to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent proposal to roll back 31 crucial environmental protections. This reckless decision threatens to dismantle decades of progress in safeguarding our most fundamental rights: clean air, water, and a safe environment. Reversing these critical policies will put the health and well-being of our residents at risk, undermining the protections we have fought for and built over generations.
Cleveland has long stood at the forefront of environmental justice. Nearly 60 years ago, the last Cuyahoga River fire sparked a nationwide movement that led to the creation of the Clean Water Act and the founding of the EPA itself. Our city’s first Black mayor, Carl Stokes, led the charge for environmental reform, recognizing that pollution disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable communities. His tireless advocacy, alongside his brother Congressman Louis Stokes, shaped national policies that have protected generations of Americans.
This Earth Month, my administration reaffirms its commitment to environmental justice. We will not stand by while progress is rolled back. Instead, we will advocate for stronger policies that continue to protect the health and safety of our residents, our economy, and our environment.
As Co-Chair of America Is All In, I call on leaders across the country to unite against these dangerous rollbacks. Every American—no matter their race, income, or zip code—deserves access to clean air, safe water, and a healthy environment. We must fight to preserve the environmental protections that ensure a sustainable, equitable future for all.
