Friends of the Earth launches organizing and strategic alliance program; names Liz Butler as Vice President to lead the program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Friends of the Earth announces a new program aimed at building organizing and strategic alliances, as well as naming Liz Butler as the vice president of organizing and strategic alliances.
“Now is the time to invest in movement-building and developing deeper alliances with social, economic and racial justice organizations as well as transforming our members and activists into real on-the-ground power through grassroots organizing,” said Erich Pica, president at Friends of the Earth. “We are excited to bring Liz on to lead this work for us. She is an accomplished strategic organizer and alliance builder.”
In the wake of the Trump administration’s attacks on social justice, racial justice, plus clean air and water, Friends of the Earth’s grassroots base has grown rapidly. Since 2016, Friends of the Earth has increased to 1.5 million members and activists who have collectively taken millions of actions.
“From her early experience organizing activists to protect forests, to the high-profile fights against fossil fuel infrastructure projects, to taking on Walmart and corporate power, Liz will be central in helping Friends of the Earth build its organizing capacity and empowering people to be participants in our democracy,” added Pica.
Butler brings over 25 years of experience organizing and campaigning on critical issues, with a focus on both corporate and legislative campaigns. At Friends of the Earth, she will lead a staff of five organizers and 13 organizing fellows in grassroots environmental campaigns. The organizing team will focus their efforts in 13 states across the country.
“Friends of the Earth’s strength grows out of the organization’s commitment to their principled policy stances and alignment with environmental justice, social justice, racial justice and economic justice,” said Butler. “I am excited to have the opportunity to expand our movement’s resistance to Trump and to push for real change in our world. Our grassroots power is the key to ensuring we can fight for a future we can be proud of.”
Expert contact: Liz Butler, (202) 487-4908, [email protected]
Communications contact: Patrick Davis, (202) 222-0744, [email protected]