This weekend marked the one-year anniversary of the train derailment and chemical disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, that sent 115,000 gallons of vinyl chloride and a host of other toxic chemicals into the surrounding community.
- “This story isn’t done,” Moms member and nearby resident Hilary Flint tells The Hill. Read more about life in East Palestine in the TIME special report that chronicles the experience of impacted families over this past year—including Moms member Misti Allison (pictured).
- Residents are worried about the impacts of exposure to petrochemicals like vinyl chloride, a potent carcinogen. Misti tells National Public Radio that these concerns are taking a toll on kids too. After returning home from evacuating, her son asked her: “Mom, are we going to die from living in our own home?”
- Misti remains hopeful that good will come out of this tragedy. In an Atlanta Journal-Constitution op-ed, Misti says that our nation has the opportunity to use this as a catalyst for change. Moms Ohio River Valley organizer Rachel Meyer tells the Ohio Capital Journal that her focus in the wake of this disaster is on advocating for stronger protections from the chemicals that are threatening the health of East Palestine residents.
IN OTHER NEWS…
- As climate change drives up temperatures and alters snow patterns, more parents across the country are dealing with “snow grief.” Three Moms—Celerah Hewes, Shaina Oliver, and Michelle Uberuaga—talk to the Washington Post about their experience with this phenomenon. Celerah says that her daughter will “bundle up and go outside in almost no snow, and she’ll try so hard to play, and come back muddy and disappointed…that’s heartbreaking.”
- Our Arizona organizer Hazel Chandler has been making waves in the media! Hazel talks to The 19th News about being one of the nation’s “climate grannies” and discusses the urgency of climate action with Cronkite News.
- Danielle Berkowitz-Sklar, our National Field Events Coordinator, joins the Environmental Social Justice podcast for a conversation about EcoMadres’ mission to advance Justice in Every Breath.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Over the last couple of weeks, Moms and EcoMadres earned mentions in the New York Review of Books, Green Philly, Commerce City Sentinel Express, and Charlotte Smarty Pants.
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- Misti on NPR
- Hilary in The Hill
- Hazel in The 19th News
- Hazel in Cronkite News
- Moms in the Washington Post