Ella Baker Center:

The Ella Baker Center family is deeply saddened by the news that Van Jones has resigned as Special Adviser on Green Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation to President Obama. It’s a dark day when attacks based in half-truths, full lies, and old news deny the nation its most talented advocate in the fight against climate change and for rebuilding our economy.

“Smear campaigns designed to sabotage our movement for an equitable, green economy are attempts to distract people from what really matters: building a future that is green and just for everyone,” said Jakada Imani, Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. “It’s our dream, shared by Van Jones and so many others, that this country can rise above the politics of hate to once again become a beacon of hope and innovation for the world. When fear-mongering and sensationalism drown out important discussions about the real issues of the day, we all lose.”

Co-founded 13 years ago by Van Jones, the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights promotes positive solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing our country. At this critical time in our nation’s history, the Ella Baker Center champions policies that lift people up and bring about renewed hope and optimism for all. We’re outraged by the attacks Van and his family have suffered at the hands of those who have made it their mission to derail a clean, green, and just future for our country.

Van Jones has been lauded as a modern day civil rights hero and champion of change who has worked to bridge the gap between communities and across lines of race and class. For years, Van has helped lead the social and environmental justice movements with solution-oriented, market-based ideas that provide some of our most marginalized communities with effective tools to create lasting change in their lives — and for the greater good of their communities.

Under Van’s leadership, and continuing under the direction of Jakada Imani, the Ella Baker Center has led the charge to build California’s movement for a green-collar economy that truly creates opportunity for all by fighting poverty and climate change at the same time. Through vibrant, cross-sector coalitions that bring together unions, green businesses, environmental organizations, social justice groups, and education and training institutions, we’ve helped craft cutting edge public policy solutions and pilot programs like the Oakland Green Jobs Corps that prove what’s possible. Our focus has always been — and will remain — providing solutions that lift people up rather than tearing them down. Solutions that unite, not divide. Our goal — and Van’s — is simple: save the planet and its people.