Supporters rally as Ben Jealous challenges ouster from Sierra Club’s top post

Supporters rally as Ben Jealous challenges ouster from Sierra Club’s top post

The Sierra Club fired Executive Director Ben Jealous on Aug. 11, citing conduct issues, but Jealous and supporters argue he was brought in to fix a major deficit and strengthen the organization. Civil rights leaders and former board members are calling for mediation, with some raising concerns about racial bias in his removal.

Sierra Club Ousts Ben Jealous as Executive Director

The Sierra Club, the nation’s oldest grassroots environmental organization, has ousted Executive Director Ben Jealous after a tumultuous two-year tenure. The unanimous decision by the board, announced Aug. 11, cited “cause” for his termination but did not provide specific details, sparking debate inside and outside the 133-year-old group. Jealous, the former head of the NAACP and a past Maryland gubernatorial candidate, has vowed to challenge th…