Across the Country: September 26th, 2024

MAGA prioritizes profits over people in Tennessee. Across the Country Hello, {NAME}! Welcome back to Across the Country, our weekly series at No Dem Left Behind! We’re diving into the most pressing issues impacting the heartland of America as the 2024 election approaches. These are the stories that actually matter to our communities. Let’s stay informed, together. –Daniela Rodriguez Tennessee Elon Musk's new AI data center in Memphis is raising serious alarms among residents and environmentalists. Locals worry about the impact the new center will have on the community. It will be considered the "largest AI data center on the planet," the facility threatens local air and water quality, drawing vast amounts of energy and water from a region that already struggles with pollution and health. Community members feel exploited by Musk's corporate practices that prioritize profit over their well-being. With little transparency regarding the project's implications, residents fear that the data center will exacerbate existing environmental challenges and health risks. There’s an urgent need for ethical economic development that genuinely benefits all people and puts locals first. Environmental racism has been a long time issue in America. Vulnerable communities like Memphis, face health concerns that are repeatedly disregarded by big corporations who continue to pollute and contaminate predominantly Black and Brown communities. The Pew Research Center has recorded that 70% of Americans support U.S. participation in International efforts to combat climate change; yet, there are still major enablers and powerful actors actively reversing climate action efforts despite public opinion. Memphis has endured a long list of health and environmental concerns. In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) paid a visit to locals, informing them that Sterilization Services of Tennessee had been emitting a dangerous amount of toxins like ethylene oxide, a gas used to sterilize medical equipment since the 1970’s, and has likely been a large contributor to health risks in the area. Memphis is currently being exposed to 7 different cancer causing air toxins, placing it in the 95th percentile of cancer risks in comparison to the rest of Tennessee. Locals have been resilient to environmental racism for way too long; it’s time to put Memphis and other exposed and exploited communities at the forefront of this election. Memphis stands empowered as activists band together to stop these unregulated corporations from raising the percentage of deaths and cancer. This is when our individual votes count the most. Including DC, Tennessee ranks 51st in voter turnout, meaning it’s the state with THE LOWEST VOTER TURNOUT. Pew Research Center polling shows that 42.6% of adults in Tennessee identify as Republican, and 43% lean Democrat, meaning if more people showed up to the polls and voted, Tennessee would be facing a very different reality. This isn’t even including moderates with no political lean! There’s never been a more pressing time for Tennesseans to come together, register to vote, and show up to the polls. Because we know that when we unite in the fight for the heartland of America, we win! Join us next week with Sabrina for the latest updates on nationwide breaking news. Make sure to stay informed with NDLB! -Daniela Rodriguez No Dem Left Behind PAC P.O. Box 15320 Washington, D.C. 20003 You are subscribed to this email as {EMAIL}. Click here to modify your [preferences]( or [unsubscribe](.