Overview:
- Residents and environmental groups gathered in Clark Park to honor lives lost to air pollution.
- Detroit ranks third among major U.S. cities for asthma-related health impacts, affecting many minors.
- Community leaders urge political action to hold polluters accountable and fight for cleaner air.
Residents and environmental justice organizations gathered in Clark Park on Friday to honor lives lost to air pollution during Día de los Muertos celebrations.
Sponsored by the Clear the Air Coalition, the gathering included those who all expressed worry over the rise in diseases like cancer, asthma and other health challenges due to polluted environments.
Detroit has Michigan’s highest asthma rates and ranks third among major U.S. cities for asthma-related health impacts.
Raquel Garcia, executive director of Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, said the event was a way to educate the community about these issues in a familiar way.
“While drawing people into this event we have the opportunity to educate in a way that is comfortable. We’re trying to attract not the usual suspects…new people, young people,” Garcia said.
Emily Embick, a senior director of land use and community leadership at the Urban Neighborhood Initiative, said most of the people affected by the polluted air are minors who must be protected.
She said the community was taking a stand against large industries that have “dominated” their neighborhoods. Political action is how the community can make their voice heard and hold polluters accountable, Embick said.
“We need elected officials who understand our challenges and are ready to fight for policy changes that address Detroit’s long-standing environmental issues,” she said.
Josh Medina, community wellness coordinator at the Urban Neighborhood Initiative, said elected officials must be involved in the fight for a clean environment.
“There hasn’t been a conversation around the environment, especially here around southern Detroit on the polluters causing harm,” Medina said.
Medina organized a group of students to create posters for the event. One of them, Andrea Negrete, said she was committed to fighting for clean air to serve communities.
“I have many friends and family who struggle with asthma, so we want cleaner air for them to survive,” Negrete said.