Laotian Organizing Project Supports Equitable Development in Richmond

Background: The Laotian community in Contra Costa County, CA lives in one of the most toxic regions in the nation. Surrounded by more then 350 industrial sites and toxic hazards, their home, school, and work environments are exposed to dangerous levels of lead, pesticides, and other chemicals on a daily basis. The Laotian Organizing Project's first significant grassroots campaign organized around a major chemical explosion in Richmond, California, followed by two more leaks in June and July. A seven year organizing campaign which started in March 1999, revealed Contra Costa County's inadequate emergency response system and the daily health risks faced by residents living in this industrial zone. In a historic victory, the LOP won the nation’s first multi-lingual emergency phone-alert system.

The Laotian Organizing Project’s newest front of environmental justice is fighting displacement and winning protections for tenants against unfair evictions. It fights to protect families from unfair evictions, high rents, and the potential for isolation and disconnection from family, culture, and community.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Below is an excerpt from the Richmond Equitable Development Initiative (REDI) press release. Over 25 LOP members came to support REDI’s push to get support from the Mayor and City Council for policies which would improve land use, housing, economic development and transportation for Richmond’s low-income people, people of color, and immigrants. LOP leaders presented a short skit demonstrating the housing problems facing Richmond, and the need for healthy and affordable homes the community.

(Richmond, CA) – On Thursday evening, community supporters of the Richmond Equitable Development Initiative (REDI) called on the Mayor and City Council to enact policies that ensure future development leads to a more healthy and just Richmond. REDI is a diverse coalition of residents, faith leaders, organizations, and policy experts committed to growth that benefits rather than burdens existing residents. REDI actively promotes planning processes that involve low-income residents in the decisions that impact their lives and neighborhoods. The community forum was attended by over 250 local residents, Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, City Council Members Tony Thurmond and Tom Butt.

Every California City and county must have a written General Plan that describes a 10 to 15-year plan for growth. As Richmond embarks on updating its General Plan, local residents are demanding it include fair, healthy and equitable land use, housing, economic development, and transportation policy statements. Motivated by historic Richmond development that has yielded disparities and unequal distribution of resources, REDI members are promoting development that works for all Richmond residents.

“For the core of Richmond to thrive, residents need good jobs, and a safe and healthy environment,” said Richmond youth organizer, Fredericka Bryant, of Ma’at Youth Academy. “The people of Richmond deserve a safe and just community in which to raise their families. We call on our elected officials and community members to endorse equitable development principles for Richmond’s future.”

“I am delighted to join with the REDI and those who share the same values I do of economic and environmental justice,” said Mayor Gayle McLaughlin. “We are reclaiming Richmond for Richmond residents. We are confident in our rights of affordable housing, public transportation, good jobs, and reclaiming or shoreline for ourselves.” McLaughlin joined City Council Members Thurmond and Butt in a signing REDI’s Declaration of Equitable Development.

Equitable development policies can reduce poverty and social inequities, revitalize core neighborhoods, provide basic needs and services for all people regardless of socioeconomic status, and encourage the engagement of those most directly impacted by growth, such as low-income people, people of color and immigrants. Based on these principles, on Thursday night, REDI partners presented a set of specific policy recommendations that they hope will be included in Richmond’s updated General Plan. REDI seeks to have all Richmond City Council Members adopt the principles and policies.

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