Thread by @abreezeclayton

I tell people all the time that campaigning in Iowa is different than anywhere else. And I’ve been trying to find the best way to explain what I mean by that. Tonight, I was knocking doors in Poweshiek County, and met Lamoyne, a former county supervisor there. #IACaucus

We began talking about the caucus and the importance of personal interactions with caucus-goers.

When I asked what issues he sees in the community, he talked a lot about concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

CAFOs, for those who are unaware, are industrial-sized livestock operations, meaning that animals are confined at least 45 days or more per year in an area without vegetation.

The main part about CAFOs, are that they produce *huge* amounts of animal sewage and other pollutants.

CAFOs are a *big* reason why rural wells are contaminated, specifically here in Iowa. It’s why I’m so appreciative of the #ClimatePlanForThePeople.

@KamalaHarris has a policy dedicated to not only breaking up big agriculture, but demanding justice for who it has affected.

But CAFOs don’t just start and end in Iowa, they’re in states across the country, specifically in my home state of North Carolina. & when Hurricane Florence hit my state in 2018, the most widely reported hazard was hog waste, spilling from CAFOs, which impacted everyone.

And here’s another fact that shouldn’t come as a shock: CAFOs directly impact and hurt communities of color the most. Black people are almost 54% more likely to reside near these operations than white people.

What does that mean for those residents? Residents near CAFOs have complained for years of sickening odors, headaches, respiratory distress, and other illnesses. But have almost no legal action they can take in regard to them.

@KamalaHarris is the ONLY candidate with the proven record and background to take down polluters who contribute to this waste & contamination of water.

Lamoyne and I talked about this issue for almost an hour standing in his driveway. When I say campaigning in this state is different, it’s because people like him not only care about these issues, but want to hear each candidate’s plan for how to fix them.

I’m constantly amazed by the people that I engage with when I’m out in these communities. Lamoyne thanked me for talking to him for so long, and we set up another time to talk again. He then sent me on my way with a handful of tomatoes from his garden!!

We MUST practice what we preach when it comes to environmental justice, and hold corporate entities accountable.

& this is why I support @KamalaHarris in this election, because I know she will #forthepeople.

Read her full climate crisis plan here: kamalaharris.org/climate/

I also want to give a big shoutout to @bentoniavoices for making me aware of so many important issues that impact Iowans, but also North Carolinians. I’ve never felt more connected to my home state than being in a place just like it here discussing solutions to problems.