Veteran Civil Rights Activist and Comedian Dick Gregory To Join National Protest Commemorating 32nd Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Assassination April 1-3 in Memphis featuring national and local environmental justice and civil rights leaders are part of an intensified national effort to: (1) strengthen and expand civil rights enforcement; (2) ensure equal environmental protection for communities of color; and (3), highlight the worsening environmental health crisis facing children and adults in polluted areas such as those near federal facilities throughout the U.S.

The newly formed Interim National Black Environmental and Economic Justice Coordinating Committee (INBEEJCC) and the National People of Color and Disenfranchised Communities Environmental Health Network (NPOC/DCEHN) will join forces with local groups including the Memphis affiliate of the National Congress of Black Churches, the Defense Depot of Memphis Tennessee Concerned Citizens Committee, and Youth Terminating Pollution for three days of activities entitled, "Days of Outrage and Action Against Environmental Racism."

The scheduled events include a "toxic tour" of communities near the contaminated Memphis Defense Depot Superfund Site; a youth "speak out" on environmental and health issues; a worship service at a local Memphis church; a national press conference and "Witness at the Depot;" a mock funeral procession through communities with high rates of disease and death that residents associate with toxic exposure; and, a vigil at the Clifford Davis Federal Building.

Events are designed to highlight the plight of children, the poor, workers, and communities of color suffering from the devastating impact of contaminated federal facilities in Memphis and throughout the country. South Memphis residents are working to end toxic contamination emanating from the Defense Depot--the U.S. military's dumping site for over 187 types of chemicals--which is located near several poor, black neighborhoods.

Local residents believe that serious illnesses in the community are linked to contamination from the depot. Some children have contracted cancer and experience other serious health problems. Many parents and students of Hamilton High School believe that a drainage ditch near the school that once carried Defense Depot waste remains a source of contamination responsible for high incidents of cancer and serious reproductive illnesses that plague a number of students.

Some of the nation's foremost experts and leaders in the growing environmental justice movement, civil rights activists, and several local leaders from contaminated communities across the nation, are coming to Memphis to participate. Confirmed speakers include Dick Gregory, the veteran civil rights activists and noted comedian; the Rev. Dr. LaSimba Gray, a leader of the Memphis affiliate of the National Congress of Black Churches and pastor of New Sardis Baptist Church; Doris and Kenneth Bradshaw of Defense Depot Memphis Tennessee Concerned Citizens Committee; Gilbert Sanchez and Rev. Vernell Cutter of the National People of Color and Disenfranchised Communities Environmental Health Network; Ron Daniels, Director of the Center for Constitutional Rights; Rev. James Black of UJAMA Inc. in Biloxi, MS., Damu Smith of Greenpeace USA Toxics Campaign; and environmental justice experts and noted authors, Drs. Robert Bullard and Beverly Wright.

Environmental justice activists contend that the environmental crisis in Memphis is an example of a national pattern of environmental racism. Environmental racism refers to the notion that Black communities and other communities of color are disproportionately overburdened with hazardous waste sites, incinerators, various chemical plants, lead contamination, dirty air, contaminated water supplies, and a variety of other pollution sources.

According to INBEEJCC Interim Coordinator, Damu Smith, "We're coming to Memphis to urgently call on the Clinton/Gore Administration to defend, expand and enforce environmental protection and civil rights laws at toxic federal facilities, and other contaminating sites affecting communities of color across the country." Using the 32nd anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination in Memphis as a backdrop, organizers will link their efforts to eradicate environmental racism to the unfinished business of the civil right's leader's legacy and the national civil rights agenda.

Environmental justice leaders will point to Dr. King's efforts on behalf of striking garbage workers in Memphis at the time of his tragic death as an example of his commitment to environmental justice, civil rights, workers rights, and the fight for economic justice.

In January 2000, in observance of the national King Holiday, INBEEJCC issued a Declaration of a National State of Emergency on Environmental Racism and Economic Injustice at a national press conference in Washington, D.C. Doris Bradshaw, founder and president of DDMT-CCC and INBEEJCC member, spoke at the press conference about the serious health problems plaguing South Memphis residents.

The campaign, crafted by INBEEJCC activists and leaders from 30 states who met during an emergency gathering attended by more than 200 delegates last December.

 

Days of Outrage and Action for Environmental Justice
April 1-3, 2000
Memphis, Tennessee
Schedule of events

SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST

9:00 am Toxic Tour of Memphis, Tennessee

Tour starts from Hamilton High School
1363 East Person Avenue

12:00 pm Lunch at Knight Arnold Church of Christ

4400 Knight Arnold (between Get Well and Perkins Streets)

1:30-2:30 pm Youth in Community Expressions

Knight Arnold Church of Christ
4400 Knight Arnold (between Get Well and Perkins Streets)

SUNDAY, APRIL 2ND

11:00 am Worship Service of Praise for God's Creation and Environmental Justice

Rev. James Black of Biloxi, MS., guest minister
Held at New Sardis Baptist Church
7739 East Holmes Road

MONDAY, APRIL 3RD

9:00 am Press Conference and "Witness for Justice at the Depot " with Local Leaders, Elected Officials and National Environmental Justice Leaders

Gather at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church
2093 Perry Road at Elliston Street

1:30-3:30 pm Assemble at Lincoln Park near Hamilton High School for mock funeral procession through the community and caravan to the Federal Building Departing at 2:30 pm.

Let's Bury Environmental Racism and Injustice! Remember Those Who Have Died from Toxic Poisoning in Our Communities! Say Yes to Urgent Government Action to Protect Our Lives and Health!

Assemble at Lincoln Park
1363 East Person Avenue

3:30-4:45 pm Vigil for Environmental Justice

Protect Our Children's and Families' Lives and Health!
Clifford Davis Federal Building (at the Plaza) 167 North Main (North Main and Poplar)
Parking at Mud Island Parking (Front St. and Poplar)

 

Kimberly Freeman
Director of Communications
Preamble Center
2040 S Street, NW Suite 203
Washington, DC 20009
202-265-3263 ext. 230 (p)
202-234-0981 (f)
freemank@rkt.net