Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 6 June 2002 — Page 32

The Muncie Times, June 6 2002, page 32

ST. LOUIS from page 12 Big River Zinc’s plant still belches out pollution, for instance. Elementis, a pigment company, still sends out red dust all around its piant. And then there is the Onyx Environmental Services plant, where the U.S. Army is considering sending “neutralized” nerve gas to be incinerated in East St. Louis, adding to the disproportionate burden already shouldered by the people of East St. Louis. No wonder that the children of East St. Louis still have high lead poisoning rates. High rates of lead can lead to brain disorders of several kinds. No wonder that thousands of homes in East St. Louis have been abandoned. No wonder that 30 people living on one block in front of the Lanson chemical plant Superfund site died from

cancer. One of our board members talked about how he grew up 20 miles from East St. Louis. He remembered, as a boy, going through East St. Louis to get to St. Louis to ball games or other events. He remembered his family saying how bad East St. Louis smelled, as they drove through.

We, at Justice and Witness Ministries, demonstrated in front of Onyx, to show our solidarity with the people of East St. Louis who are struggling to reclaim their lives and their homes. We demonstrated to show our recommitment to environmental justice and to ending environmental racism.

Now, he said, he understands white skin' privilege in a very real way. White skin privilege means never having to live in a city such as East St. Louis, which is 98% African American, and being able to drive past the bad smells and the pollution. For the people of East St. Louis, it not only smells bad, but it is dangerous for their health and for their children’s health.

Toxic Waste and Race is just as true today as it was 15 years ago. But our commitment to justice is just as strong. There are people in East St. Louis working to clean up their community, working to make it a place of hope for their children. We will stand with them for as long as it takes.Tthe struggle continues.

SPECIAL MEMORIAL

We miss you and love you very much. But by the grace of God, we know it wasn’t your time to go. Your love for life was always shown in

your smile. You blessed your family with happiness and joy. It’s been a year now, since the Lord said come with me. Just want you to

know that you’ll stay in our hearts and

minds always. We know you’re in a better place by His grace. In loving memory: Anthony Sims Jr.

From your family, Leady and Mary Sims, Leah, Linda, Leady Jr., Michael, and Tony.