Care for Us Instead: Community Members Protest Dumping Fire Debris at L.A. Landfill
Residents Concerned about Health and Safety Risks
A group of concerned citizens in Granada Hills spent their Monday evening protesting a decision to dump waste and debris from the Eaton and Palisades fires into Sunshine Canyon Landfill. The community members are worried about the potential health and safety risks posed by the debris, which could be hazardous to schools, homes, and a water reservoir nearby without sufficient testing.
A Growing Concern
The protest, which started with five to 10 people, grew to over 60 individuals within minutes of its start on Monday afternoon, with protesters holding signs on several sides of the intersection at Balboa Boulevard and Rinaldi Street. The concern is not just about the fire debris, but also about the lack of transparency and accountability from the authorities.
Beverly Spooner’s Concerns
“We’ve had so much going on here with Aliso Canyon gas leaks, and the wind blowing here with the fires,” said Beverly Spooner, a concerned resident. “And now talking about this toxic dump, it’s just too much.”
Response from Republic Services
Republic Services, which owns Sunshine Canyon, issued a statement, saying in part that “The landfill has a state-of-the-art liner system, cover system and robust gas collection system to help ensure material is managed safely and responsibly.” However, the community members are not convinced and continue to demand more transparency and accountability.
Fighting the Vote
The protest came a day before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors was scheduled to vote on a proposal to increase the amount of waste going to Sunshine Canyon, Calabasas, and Lancaster landfills to accommodate the additional fire debris. L.A. Councilmember John Lee has been outspoken about this vote, trying to fight it alongside the community members.
A Message from Councilmember John Lee
“As a resident of Council District 12 for over 40 years and a father of two, the health and safety of this community is my number one priority,” said Lee in a Facebook post earlier this month. “The proposal for Sunshine Canyon Landfill to accept this debris, without sufficient testing and oversight, is an insult to the communities that are located near this landfill. Our district has already faced numerous environmental challenges, and I simply can’t allow another one to make its way to our neighborhoods.”
Conclusion
The community members are calling for better measures to be taken to ensure the health and safety of the residents. They are demanding more transparency and accountability from the authorities and are urging the vote to be rejected. The fate of the proposal will be decided on Tuesday, and the community members are prepared to continue their fight.
FAQs
* What is the purpose of the protest?
+ The protest is to raise awareness about the potential health and safety risks posed by dumping fire debris at Sunshine Canyon Landfill.
* What are the concerns about the landfill?
+ The community members are worried about the lack of transparency and accountability from the authorities, as well as the potential for hazardous materials to be released into the environment.
* What is Councilmember John Lee’s stance on the issue?
+ Councilmember John Lee is opposed to the proposal and is trying to fight it alongside the community members. He believes that the health and safety of the community should be the top priority.
