Dozens called on U.S. Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, Friday to support the Green New Deal — a plan to slash the nation’s carbon emissions.
The group San Diego 350 organized a “die-in” for climate change at Peters' office in La Jolla, calling on the congressman to sign the legislation. Peters, who represents California's 52nd congressional district which includes parts of San Diego, Coronado and Poway, is the only member of San Diego County's Democratic congressional delegation who does not support the Green New Deal.
"We really want him to know that these issues — he’s not being a representative if he’s not representing the youth," said Chris Kracha, a recent high school graduate. "The message we wanted to say was step up or step aside for the Green New Deal."
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Many of the protesters laid down in the courtyard of the office complex and would not leave. The office's security crew eventually called the police, but no one was arrested.
In a statement emailed to KPBS, Peters' office criticized the Green New Deal and said he has his own plan, called the "Climate Playbook."
"Rep. Peters has 20 plus year record of fighting to reverse climate change and appreciates the passion of everyone who is as concerned about our climate crisis as he is," the statement read. "The Green New Deal is a non-binding resolution that contains no actual legislation."
A representative for Peters said this and other climate rallies have not been productive and have not changed the congressman’s mind.
