|
Despite
reports of dying fish and animals emerging in
recent days, officials say their monitoring has
turned up nothing concerning. In the meantime,
we’ve heard that the railroad is offering
payouts to evacuees in exchange for releases of
liability.
One Break Free
from Plastic partner organization, River Valley
Organizing, had warned about the dangers posed
by petrochemical ‘bomb trains’ barreling through
their communities for nearly a
decade.
Now, River
Valley Organizing and other local groups are
mobilizing the community to fight back, get
legal representation, empower civic action, and
build sustainable autonomy and justice after
this disaster. And they need our
help.
Your
contribution will immediately be put to use:
Organizers have already begun to canvass
evacuation shelters, reimbursement lines and
other gathering spots to connect with local
residents and assess their needs. They’re also
planning a large community meeting to share what
they know and gather additional testimonials.
What is already clear is there is a dire need
for legal assistance, ongoing independent air
and water monitoring and efforts to hold both
the Railroad and government
accountable.
Last year, our
Grassroots Grants program provided $100,000 in
support to small groups on the frontlines of the
battle against plastic pollution and other
environmental threats. Over the last two years,
your response to emergency appeals like this
enabled us to lift up groups affected by
Hurricane Ida and to ensure New York City’s
canners could secure a permanent and safe
recycling center. Will
you help us double our emergency aid to the
residents of East Palestine?
Now, we’ve
pledged $10,000 from the Grassroots Grants fund
to groups like River Valley Organizing, and with
your generous support we hope to send even
more.
Thanks for
your consideration and continued
support.
In
Solidarity,
Michael
O'Heaney
Executive
Director | 
