In Philadelphia, we met Elisa Young who spoke before our sets about the work she's doing with Meigs Citizens Action Now!. Her short talks were powerful and inspiring. It is a group that is trying to stop the construction of even more coal power plants in a region of South Eastern Ohio that already has a really high concentration of these plants and the environmental and health impacts that come along with them. I think the best way to sum up what they're about are these words from their website:
I was really inspired by the work that we're doing because it was an environmental justice group started by people directly effected by the environmental impact of coal power. However, they connect the dots from coal power as an environmental issue in Appalachia to one that is tied with justice for people with more limited economic mobility and with issues connected to class and race in other communities.
Meigs Citizens Action Now! says No! to:MeigsCAN says Yes! to:
- High rates of asthma, autism, and cancer
- Contaminated soil and water
- Extractive industries that take our resources, keep the profits, and leave the toxic waste
- Healthy kids and safe jobs
- Clean, renewable energy
- A locally owned, regenerative economy that keeps profits here in Meigs!
I urge everyone to check out Meigs Citizens Action Now!'s website at www.meigscan.org and support them in whatever ways you can.
Best,
Geoff
Labels: activism, appalachia, coal, environment, ohio, socialjustice