The Partnership for Onondaga Creek

is a voice for the Midland Community

and the environment advocating for

better, nonpolluting solutions for Onondaga Creek.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

The Golden Rule for toxics and waste….

Put into others’ backyards

only what you would put into your own.

We all see something different when we look out of our

windows….

On Blaine Street, They saw green

space…They saw

neighbors they could trust…

They cared about their community…

No one wanted to move…

TodayThis is the view from a Blaine Street window….

Except now, there is no view.

The residents were evicted from their homes.

The windows are covered.

The Blaine Street neighborhood is (was) predominately African-

American and low income.

No one wanted to move…

A Sewage Plant is planned to be built

across the street…

You may ask…

Is this really discrimination?

Is this really injustice?

Let’s be honest and look to our own experiences ...

How many white, suburban,

or high income neighborhoods are

SHUT DOWN?

SHUT DOWN…

Shut Down…

What Research tells us…

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST’S COMMISSION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE, 1993 UPDATE:

“The percentage of people of color remains three to five times higher

in areas with the highest concentrations

of commercial hazardous waste facilities ...”

Again….

Number of People ofColor

Areas WITH Hazardous WasteAreas WITHOUT Hazardous Waste

three to fivetimes higher…

AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION, 1990:

“Three out of every five African

Americans and Latinos

live in communities where toxic waste sites are located.”

That’s 60%

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, 1990:

“Racial minority and low-income populations experience higher than

average exposures to selected air pollutants,

hazardous waste facilities, contaminated fish,

and agricultural pesticides.”

Selected Studies of Racial and Income

Disparities in the Distribution of Environmental

Hazards, 1967 – 1993

From Benjamin A. Goldman, “Not Just Prosperity, Achieving Sustainability with Environmental Justice,” Washington, DC,

National Wildlife Federation, 1993

RACIAL RACIAL INEQUALITIES

AND UNFAIR BURDENS IN MINORITY

COMMUNITIESOF

Pesticide Exposure, Air Pollution,

Toxic Releases,And Hazardous Waste Sites

WERE FOUNDIN

87% OF THE STUDIES.

If you are person of color, you are likely to be at risk from environmental hazards.

LET’S BE CLEAR ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

CONCERNS

THIS IS NOT “JUST ANOTHER” NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) ISSUE.

The community accepts that they will have to bear the impact of needed sewage improvements.

The proposed sewage plant (RTF) is Not acceptable In Anybody’s Backyard.

Underground storage and sewer separation is a better solution.

The community must have an active and effective role in deciding what will be built.

Let’s GetIt

Right…

For the Community,

For Civil Rights,

For the Next Generations.