SACRAMENTO CA – California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ), and Robert Redford Conservancy issued a statement today expressing disappointment in the California Assembly’s continuing failure to address the health, safety, and displacement impacts of the proliferation of warehouse/logistics development in Inland Empire communities of color and those across the state. The process by which the Assembly is addressing the impacts of warehousing, intentionally putting forth weaker policies to undermine strong action, is out of touch and devoid of the most affected communities.
“Warehouse buffer zones are needed to make real impacts in improving community health, especially that of low-income communities of color. The Inland Empire member working group must demonstrate commitment to community engagement and uplift the leadership of Majority Leader Reyes, who has persistently worked to ensure that warehouses are good neighbors,” said Melissa Romero, Senior Legislative Manager, EnviroVoters. “We look forward to working together to take as strong as possible action to protect frontline communities from warehouse siting.”
“We will not allow decision makers to let our communities be collateral damage in the name of economic development. As we watch local, state, and federal leaders fail to protect the health and safety of our vulnerable and overburdened communities, we will continue to work hard to bring forth strong policies and good neighbor guidelines,” said Ana Gonzalez, a representative of CCAEJ. “We wish to recognize the leadership of Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes, and, more recently Congressman Mark Takano, to ensure that warehouses are good neighbors to Inland Empire community residents. Moving forward, meaningful discussion of these issues should prioritize this leadership as well as the voices and experiences of frontline community members and community-based organizations that have been engaged in this issue for decades.”
“It’s time for our leaders to look beyond politics and into the lives, livelihood, and health of inland residents, workers, and families. We need our leaders to make their decisions in the best interests of the community, based in science and environmental wellbeing, instead of their individual political interests ,” said Susan Phillips Robert Redford Conservancy.
###
CONTACT:
Erika Guzman Cornejo
310-755-1615
erika@envirovoters.org
Share this press release
ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
