Patagonia Sues President Trump Over His Decision to Reduce Size of Utah's National Monuments
Even if you haven’t visited the Patagonia website this week, it’s highly likely that you saw a photo of the brand’s homepage. The outdoor retailer wrote the now-viral message “The President Stole Your Land” on its website and social media platforms as a reaction to President Donald Trump’s action to reduce the size of two Utah national monuments.
On Monday the President announced that he would reduce the size of Bears Ears National Monument in Utah by 85 percent and reduce the size of Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante by half and said that this action will fix the “federal overreach” of federal land protections set in place during President Barack Obama’s tenure.
Patagonia wrote in its message that this elimination of protected land is the largest amount in American history, and that they will not stand by idle.
“We’ve fought to protect these places since we were founded and now we’ll continue that fight in the courts,” Patagonia President and CEO Rose Marcario said in a statement posted on the brand’s Instagram.
PHOTOS: The Most Practical Gift You Can Get! A Cute and Cozy Piece That’s Sure to Keep Her Warm
On Wednesday the company delivered on its promise and filed a lawsuit to block the land reductions from happening. In addition with other organizations, Patagonia claims that this action “exceeds the president’s authority.”
While we wait to find out the fate of land in question, the decision is expected to bring about big answers on whether presidents are able to legally change monuments created by former presidents and whether they have the legal authority to reduce movements under the 1906 Antiquities Act (which allows them to create them).
Patagonia’s commitment to land preservation is actually a cause written right in the brand’s mission statement and one it has practiced diligently since its start in 1973. “Our mission is to build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis,” it reads.
The company donates at least 1 percent of sales to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups that may be overlooked by other corporate donors and even organize a Tools Conference which provides training to make grassroots activists as effective as possible. Its founder, Yvon Chouinard, was a founding member of One Percent for the Planet, which encourages businesses around the world to give back to the environment.
The business is also very upfront about all aspects of its manufacturing, resources and its carbon footprint by detailing every elements of its environmental impact on the website.
10-Year-Old Boy Hopes to Save America’s National Monuments for Future Generations
To applaud Patagonia’s efforts to protect American land from harm, a shopping spree on the site seems like a good idea. We rounded up five things you can look good in and feel good buying.
Buy It! Patagonia Women’s Insulated Prairie Dawn Parka, $249; patagonia.com
Buy It! Patagonia Women’s Ahnya Pants, $79; patagonia.com
Buy It! Patagonia Women’s Gatewood Cami, $41; patagonia.com
Buy It! Patagonia Women’s Los Gatos Fleece Vest, $99; patagonia.com
Buy It! Patagonia Women’s Cable Beanie, $39; patagonia.com