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Immigration stance tearing apart Sierra Club?
Edited for brevity.A fierce battle is brewing over the future of the Sierra Club, and an unlikely issue is at the center of the debate: immigration. A growing faction in the nationâs most influential environmental group has urged a stronger stance against immigration, calling the growing U.S. population and its consumption of natural resources the biggest threat to the environment. Past and present Sierra Club leaders say the anti-immigrant faction has teamed up with animal-rights activists in an attempt to hijack the 112-year-old organization and its $100 million annual budget. "At stake is really the heart and soul of the organization," said Adam Werbach, the clubâs president from 1996-98. "Itâs a sad attempt by a very small special-interest group to take over the entire Sierra Club organization." Some of the old guard has organized a movement called Groundswell Sierra to oppose what they say is an attempted takeover by outside groups. Their opponents responded by filing a lawsuit claiming the leaders are unfairly trying to influence an upcoming board election. Between March 1 and April 15, members will cast mail-in ballots to fill five open seats on the clubâs 15-member governing board. The clubâs anti-immigration faction says it needs only three more seats to control policy. Posted by: Dar 2004-02-18 |
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