The Romero Institute, based in Santa Cruz, CA, has a rich history and a legacy of fighting for justice for both people and the planet. It all began in 1974 when Danny Sheehan and Sara Nelson joined forces to seek justice for Karen Silkwood. Silkwood, a safety inspector with the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union, possessed crucial evidence of safety violations at her workplace, a plutonium fuel rods plant.

The resulting lawsuit and the coalition they built led to a groundbreaking $10. 5 million judgment and a new precedent in liability law. Inspired by Salvadoran archbishop Saint Óscar Romero, who was assassinated for his opposition to government-sponsored death squads, the Romero Institute continues its mission today.

The focus is on solving the global climate emergency through local and statewide solutions in California and the Dakotas. They oppose pipelines and toxic infrastructure, amplify underrepresented voices, and seek legal and policy remedies to protect both people and the planet. Additionally, the institute provides support for the Lakota People's Law Project, including a Native-run kinship care home and a teen center on the Standing Rock Nation.

Their work is dedicated to empowering vulnerable children on the reservation, providing them with safe spaces to learn, stay, and play. With a track record of winning strategic victories, the Romero Institute is a courageous and committed organization that continues to lead the charge in protecting the public interest. They rely on the support of individuals like you to make a difference in the world