BOSTON
Community coalition fights toxic sewage overflow
By
Stevan Kirschbaum
Co-coordinator, Archdale
Roslindale Coalition
Boston
On Aug. 14, members of the Archdale Roslindale Coalition,
representing over 200 families, marched to demand an end to
toxic sewer flooding, and full compensation for damages
sustained during the October 1996 and subsequent
sewage-overflowing incidents. In May and June 1998 the
neighborhood was again flooded by more toxic sewage
overflow.
Over a hundred residents took to the streets of this
multinational, working-class Boston neighborhood for over two
hours. They chanted: "We say no! We say no! No more sewage
overflow!"
The lead banner read, this is "a neighborhood united." The
banner was painted by graphic artist and trans activist Gery
Armsby, and donated by the National People's Campaign.
While the march and rally were conducted in three
languages--Creole, Spanish and English--the protesters spoke in
one voice. They denounced the Massachusetts Water Resources
Authority and Boston Water and Sewer Commission for
negligence.
They also charged the agencies with blatant environmental
racism.
On Oct. 20, 1996, this community was turned into a toxic
dump nightmare. The MWRA's high level pipe overflowed in
several locations.
This created a river of untreated raw sewage, home-heating
oil from burst tanks, household chemicals, diesel fuel, and an
undetermined mix of other toxins. The toxic river filled
backyards, basements, living rooms and kitchens.
The toxic flood crested at over seven feet in some
areas.
Cars were destroyed. Families lost their life savings in
furniture, clothing, food, appliances as well as countless
irreplaceable belongings.
Management at the two agencies knew they had structural
sewer problems in the neighborhood, yet they had done nothing
to avert the crisis. When the flooding start ed, they were
inundated with calls from the neighborhood--but the agencies
failed to take any corrective action for nearly 28 hours.
Adding racist insult to injury, it was disclosed that the
sewage that blanketed the neighborhood was not "local" waste
but waste from the wealthy white western suburbs of Boston. One
coalition member noted, "We got the effluent of the
affluent."
Coalition born in the street
The fire department evacuated a 12-block section after the
toxic stew engulfed the neighborhood. The city and state
refused to assume any responsibility.
They told residents to "call a plumber" and arranged with
the Red Cross to give each family a bucket, mop, latex gloves
and a quart of bleach.
In the midst of this crisis, organizers using union know-how
formed a coalition of area residents. Over 150 people showed up
for the first meeting at the City Community Center in the
Archdale housing projects.
Mayor Thomas Menino, in an outrageously callous move, locked
the coalition out. However, the coalition turned this obstacle
to its advantage. Despite rain and flood water, the people took
the street, making the busiest intersection--Washington Street
at Archdale Road--their meeting hall.
Portable sound and lighting systems and makeshift tarps and
banners were rigged up. Daily street meetings to discuss
strategy and tactics became impromptu rallies and news
conferences that received wide media coverage.
Painters District 35, which has a union hall in the
neighborhood, joined the coalition and provided rent-free
office and meeting space and much needed resources. It was a
true demonstration of solidarity--a community-labor
alliance.
The coalition has demanded full compensation for all losses,
repair of the sewer infrastructure and a cleanup of the
neighborhood.
Through united, militant action many concessions were won:
Homes and backyards were pumped out, a professional toxic
cleanup company was brought in, some homes received new heating
systems, etc. The coalition organized on an "all for one, one
for all" basis to make certain that the city didn't
discriminate against any section of the multinational
neighborhood.
However, millions of dollars in personal property was
destroyed. Major work on the sewage infrastructure was
required.
The Massachusetts Environmental Justice Network, a
progressive organization that fights on such issues, voted to
support the coalition. The network referred lawyer Jamy
Buchanan.
This talented young attorney, with single-minded
determination, assembled a formidable legal team to represent
the neighborhood--at no cost. This past August, the lawyers
filed a massive civil action in Massachusetts Superior Court,
demanding damages and injunctive relief from the agencies.
The coalition is determined to fight on. As ARC
co-coordinator Beverley Spence said at the August rally, "We
have persevered for three years, and we will stay together
until we get full satisfaction for all our losses!"
At a recent monthly coalition meeting, it was learned that
the city was holding a hearing on issuing a permit for an
auto-body spray-paint shop, which would spew airborne toxins
into the community. The coalition adjourned and went en masse
to the hearing and successfully stopped the permit.
This action showed the city that the ARC is prepared to
defend the neighborhood on all fronts.
Word of the coalition's organizing has spread. Speaking at
the ARC rally, Zed McLarnen, coordinator of the Hanover Street
Coalition in Malden, Mass., said that his community will now
form a coalition to also fight the MWRA.
This article is copyright under a Creative Commons License.
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