CCEJN
Kettleman City Moms Honored by CCEJN
CCEJN recently honored the mothers of babies born with birth defects in Kettleman City. The mothers were presented with special certificates and gift cards to show the solidarity that CCEJN members have with them in their struggle for environmental justice. These mothers have exhibited tremendous strength and bravery in standing before Kings County Government, the California Department of Toxic Substance Control, and both the State and Federal Environmental Protection Agencies. They have demanded help in finding the cause and stopping the horrible tragedies recently experienced by them in Kettleman City. They have been ridiculed, insulted, and intimidated by both Chem Waste and government officials but they have remained strong and steadfast in trying to protect themselves, their families and their community. The photo below shows three of the moms with their certificates and CCEJN representative Tom Frantz.
Arvin
Arvin residents live with the worst air in the nation. Come to the conference to hear about their recent meeting with the Region 9 EPA Administrator.
Wasco
EPA Region 9 Administrator Jared Blumenthal listens to Wasco residents at Labor Camp.
CCEJN Conference in Wasco on November 13 was attended by over 100 activists from across the San Joaquin Valley.
Conference Themes:
- Connecting with people on the frontlines of environmental justice in the Central Valley
- Listening to communities share their struggles
- Educating each other from our individual experiences
- Thinking critically about community issues
- Creating solidarity in the fight for justice
- Resolving to challenge the status quo
Outdoor Rally During Conference Made Demands of EPA
A highlight of the conference was the outdoor rally in the nearby park. At the rally conference attendees held signs, sang songs, and made two specific demands of EPA (see photos above).
- EPA must not allow the expansion of the Chem Waste hazardous waste facility near Kettleman City until the cause of the birth defect cluster is determined.
- EPA must force the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to make a new one-hour ozone plan which will stop the continued violations of this Federal Standard long after the deadline for compliance has passed.
Video Below of Conference Scenes plus Media Coverage.
Central Valley fight against mega dairies expands to UK
CCEJN members share their knowledge with UK environmental justice advocates.