REMEMBERING DAVID BRAUN
I n 2024, the anti-fracking movement lost a monumental figure with David Braun’s passing. As a co-founder of United for Action, he helped launch NYAF and was a key leader in the fight to ban fracking in New York. He helped organize and emcee rallies — his bold, jovial, righteous, and booming voice was a staple at actions large and small. David was relentless — a workhorse in the pursuit of justice. He was also a major presence in the fight to ban fracking in Califor- nia and in the national movement. He co-founded Americans Against Fracking and worked closely with Food & Water Watch and others to build a network of grassroots anti-fracking organizations. But beyond all those accomplishments, David was a steadfast, giving, and loving friend to the many people who knew him. He also had a special su- perpower of relating to people. With David, you felt heard, and you felt his passion. He always be- lieved that together, we could win. Mark Schlosberg Food & Water Watch Director of Public Affairs Artist and activist Russell Greene
At the same time, major funders, most prominently the Park Foun- dation and the 11th Hour Foundation , provided the coalition with essential resources to counter the oil and gas industry’s power and build a movement. The combined resources of NYAF and our funders allowed us to partner with PR firm Berlin Rosen , which helped us respond to events quickly with press statements, cul- tivate press coverage of our work, and spread awareness about fracking and our movement to the public.
“NYAF was a vehicle for attracting resources,
harnessing resour- ces, and allocating them. No single group would have been able to raise the money and effectively utilize it.” Eric Weltman
Food & Water Watch New York Senior Strategist & Organizer
David Braun speaks at the Crossroads Rally in Albany in June 2013. Photo by Craig Christopher O’Connor Jr. CCOJR.COM
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