New Orleans, La., December 12, 1999. Over 200 black community leaders, activists, lawyers, educators, government officials, and scholars met for four days (December 9-12) in New Orleans, Louisiana to map out a strategy to deal with the environmental, health and economic crisis affecting the black community. Delegates came from thirty different states to participate in the National Emergency Gathering of Black Community Advocates for Environmental and Economic Justice. The participants vowed to press their issues at city hall, the state house, Congress, and even the White House.

Grassroots community representatives from New York to California shared horror stories of how environmental racism is endangering their children, families, homes, and neighborhoods. Activists and academics agreed to work in collaboration to confront the myriad of problems that plague black communities. The conference participants agreed to form an Interim National Black Environmental and Economic Justice Coordinating Committee to plan a national strategy and action agenda. This coordinating committee is charged with developing and issuing the official National State of Emergency on Environmental Racism and Economic Justice that will coincide with the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday (January 17, 2000).

The Coordinating committee will also be holding a series of strategy meeting around the country to inform, educate, and build support for the movement to eradicate environmental racism and all forms of environmental and economic injustice. There was general consensus among the participants that black people must go on the offense in the new millenium to combat the attacks on their families, homes, schools, churches, and communities.

To view the presentation made by Dr. Robert Bullard click here.