This week Joel Francis, a senior at Cal State Los Angeles and a Marine Corps veteran, flew to the Wichita, Kansas headquarters of Koch Industries. His mission was to knock on Charles Koch’s door, and demand he defend his involvement in Prop 23. CAP’s Jorge Madrid has the story.
“If you are going to try to hurt the economy of a state you don’t even live in, then you ought to have the courage to explain yourself in person” said Francis.
Koch is one of the primary financial backers of a California ballot initiative, Prop 23, which aims to effectively repeal the states landmark climate and clean energy law.
Francis, a former student body president and member of the university’s debate team made public his intentions to travel to Koch Industries last week, in a video statement in which he challenged Koch to a public debate – “anytime, anywhere.”
The video has since gone viral on the web, and Francis garnered over 1,200 supporters in just a few days.
Silence and Security Guards
Not surprisingly, Koch has remained silent about his support for Prop 23, issuing only a “no comment” statement through 4 security guards posted at the building’s entrance when Francis and his coalition arrived. The security guards then ordered the group to leave the premises.
“Unfortunately, though he prepared for our visit today, he didn’t prepare a statement or anything else in return. I find that to be a slap on the face to millions of young Californians,” Joel said.
While it was expected that Koch would not answer debate challenge, Francis and the opponents of Prop 23 can still claim a strong victory for mobilizing the voice of California’s university students.
The group organizing with Francis, PowerVote.CA, is a project of the California Student Sustainability Coalition, a network of thousands of university students in chapters that reach many of the state’s college campuses. The group has been operating since 2001.
An Uncertain Future for College Grads
Joel Francis, like many college seniors, is nervous about his future job prospects after graduation. He believes Prop 23 passing will make his prospects even worse.
“The job market is tough, and all graduating seniors are having to open the scope of the jobs they look at. We have to look as far and wide as possible, not just at the traditional jobs in our field…A million dollar donation [by Koch] is threatening the job opportunities out there for graduates like me.”
He has reason for concern. Numerous studies have indicated that Prop 23 threatens half a million jobs in California. This loss does not include the 100,000 new clean energy jobs California can expect to create in the next 10 years, and billions of dollars in private investment the state could unlock if its environmental and clean energy policies are upheld (and Proposition 23 is voted down).
Francis thinks of himself as “just one college student,” but he knows he can make his voice, and the voice of his generation, be heard on this critical issue. He will continue his fight until Election Day – you can support Joel’s efforts here.
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Francis sets a fantastic example. Great job!
I’m putting it on my blog and sending it to students in California. Outstanding!
Nicely stated argument. There is little hope in arguing with tea party supporters and the like. On the other hand, educating young people, especially college students has a lot of potential. We need strong environmental/climate organizations on campuses.
Ultimately college students are going to drive the grassroots opposition to the fossil fuel industry. They have the most at stake and have the most focus (not to mention future jobs).
If I were a student group, my focus would be on selective boycotts. Koch industries anyone ?
Joe, thanks for this, and please keep posting efforts by young people. If they don’t get involved, we really are toast.
Bravo! Bravo! Thank you, Joel Francis. I salute you.
Be well, good luck, and good for you!
Jeff
Jeff Huggins
Los Gatos, CA
Good for you, Joel!
These cowards will always hide in the shadows.
As for the rest of Joel’s contemporaries: Who’s next?!
These are the types of high profile activites the ‘baggers employ,
and unfortunately, the only news the MSM will cover.
Way to go, Joel. Koch is a reptile, and thanks for exposing him.
Ditto to all of the above!! When I was a navy meteorologist “way back” in the late 60s and early 70s, I always had a high degree of respect and admiration for Marines (even though I liked nothing better than beating them in track meets and road races because I knew I was beating the best!) I’m glad to see that Joel is upholding a proud tradition and at a very important time in our history!!!!!
Great Messaging. Btw. almost 9000 Views by now.
Koch CEO’s actions create a lot of unhappy customers and voters. And it will only get worse if more people get informed about this fraud.
It was a lovely afternoon for my local annual community Green Festival, so I donned my Climate Zombie mask and top hat to hand out the Koch Blood money (http://witsendnj.blogspot.com/2010/10/kicking-koch-habit_10.html) – I was surprised and pleased that quite a few people were already familiar with them. One guy took the money and said, “People don’t know who these guys are, but they should!” and another woman said, “Oh, those guys funding the Tea Party!”
The more we can put a face (or two) to the money behind deniers and their thinktanks, the more people will understand that it isn’t the scientists who are engaged in a conspiracy.
Let’s not forget the other brother, David Koch, who I was recently surprised to learn is a supporter of Nova and their series, Becoming Human. If you have seen it you may recall a series of statements in Part 1 that imply climate change is good for humans, because we evolved at a time of rapid changes in climate. While the latter may be true, it does not follow that the changes we are on the verge of will be anything other than an unmitigated disaster, unless of course you are very rich and can sequester yourself behind armed guards. So, if you find Koch’s support of WGBH and Nova as unnerving as I did, send a note to WGBH, copied to the IRS (the regulator of nonprofits), and ask how they are dealing with this conflict of interest.
Excellent video, Mr. Francis! And I admire your courage and strong commitment.