Environmentalists Arrested at EPA

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Executive Director of Greenpeace,
John Passacantando, the president of Rainforest Action Network,
Randy Hayes, and nearly a dozen other activists locked themselves
inside of the main entrance of the Environmental Protection Agency
today. This protest was the latest in a series of pre-Earth Day
activities against Bush's recent greenwashing of his anti-
environmental agenda. All were arrested.

''We've taken our message from President Bush's ranch, to the
White House and now to the EPA,'' said John Passacantando,
Greenpeace Executive Director. ''We want this Toxic Texan to know
that trashing 30 years of environmental gains, then making a few
token green announcements for Earth Day is an unacceptable
environmental agenda.''

Today's protest is the third Greenpeace action in less than a week.
On Friday, April 13th, Greenpeace activists scaled a water tower in
Bush's adopted hometown of Crawford, Texas and unfurled a
banner reading ''Bush-the Toxic Texan-Don't Mess With the Earth.''
Yesterday, the international environmental group hosted a ''Take
Back the Earth Day'' rally that featured speakers from across the
nation.

''The environmental community is shocked at how much damage
one president can propose in less than 100 days,'' continued
Passacantando. ''Even President Reagan took four years to
propose his short sighted environmental agenda and trash the
earth.''

Among the many assaults Bush has made to the environment in
less than 100 days are:

• Reversing a campaign pledge to limit carbon dioxide pollution
  from power plants;

• Cutting a budget for renewable energy programs;

• Support for logging and the development on 60 million
  acres of untouched national forests;

• Plans to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration and drilling;

• Slashing the EPA's enforcement budget.

In an effort to put a positive spin on his environmental record,
President Bush yesterday expressed support for the international
treaty to phase out of a dozen highly toxic and persistent chemicals
known as persistent organic pollutants, or POPs.

''It's easy for Bush to say he supports the treaty, but real signal of
commitment to reducing these dangerous chemicals will be when
he fights to get the treaty ratified through Congress,'' said
Passacantando.

CONTACT: Kymberly Escobar (202) 319-2494.

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