Dear Ward 5 neighbors,
Generations of Washingtonians have been the victims of environmental racism. This map from the CDC is an index of cumulative environmental harms including: air pollution, toxic and hazardous sites, health disparities, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and more.
My fight for healthy communities is a fight to disrupt the environmental harms perpetrated against neighbors, namely in Wards 5, 7, and 8. On Monday, I will introduce the Environmental Justice Amendment Act of 2023, which seeks to hold government accountable for this map.
I invite you to join me and neighbors outside of the NEP factory in Ivy City (1950 Capitol Ave NE) on Monday, November 6, at 1:00 p.m. as I unveil the bill and make clear a vision for the District where your socio-economic status or race does not determine the harm that is tolerated in your community.
Enacting this legislation will take time. Meanwhile, residents in Ivy City are still facing harm. I sent this letter today calling on DOEE to take action. It is unacceptable that we have, in effect, said it is okay for Ward 5 residents to breathe in toxic fumes.
