WEBVTT
Kind: captions
Language: en

00:00:01.201 --> 00:00:03.569 line:83%
>>> From COVID-19, everything
has changed and yet nothing has

00:00:03.602 --> 00:00:04.737 size:88% position:44% line:78%
changed for our communities.

00:00:04.770 --> 00:00:07.640 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> We see images
of nature coming back.

00:00:07.673 --> 00:00:10.343 align:start position:0% line:83%
We have been hearing, "Oh,
air quality is better."

00:00:10.376 --> 00:00:13.946 line:83%
But here in LA, for low income
communities of color, because

00:00:13.979 --> 00:00:16.549 align:start position:0% line:83%
we're surrounded by industry
that's just not the case.

00:00:16.582 --> 00:00:18.117 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> The ports
have not stopped.

00:00:18.150 --> 00:00:19.752 size:81% position:41% line:78%
The refineries don't stop.

00:00:19.785 --> 00:00:21.954 align:start position:0% line:83%
They're continuing to
pollute because these

00:00:21.987 --> 00:00:24.824 size:78% position:39% line:83%
businesses are labeled as
essential, which leaves

00:00:24.857 --> 00:00:26.392 size:84% position:42% line:78%
our lives as not essential.

00:00:26.425 --> 00:00:28.728 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> When we looked at
our own backyard, we see the

00:00:28.761 --> 00:00:32.031 line:78%
reality of environmental racism.

00:00:32.064 --> 00:00:33.966 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> It's all coming up on
the Laura Flanders show, a place

00:00:33.999 --> 00:00:36.269 align:start position:0% line:83%
where the people who say it
can't be done take a back seat

00:00:36.302 --> 00:00:38.438 align:start position:0% line:83%
to the people who are
doing it. Welcome.

00:00:39.371 --> 00:00:43.376 line:78%
♪ [Opening Music] ♪

00:01:15.074 --> 00:01:17.009 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> People, exposed to
even slightly higher levels

00:01:17.042 --> 00:01:20.246 line:83%
of air pollution it turns out
are dying at significantly

00:01:20.279 --> 00:01:22.148 size:84% position:42% line:78%
higher rates from COVID-19.

00:01:22.181 --> 00:01:24.617 align:start position:0% line:83%
That's according to a recent
study from the Harvard

00:01:24.650 --> 00:01:26.185 size:75% position:38% line:78%
School of Public Health.

00:01:26.218 --> 00:01:29.422 line:83%
The way that's playing out in
Los Angeles is that while the

00:01:29.455 --> 00:01:33.392 size:88% position:44% line:83%
skies above that city may be
turning temporarily blue on

00:01:33.425 --> 00:01:37.763 align:start position:0% line:83%
the ground, the epidemic is
laying bare the disproportionate

00:01:37.796 --> 00:01:41.767 size:78% position:39% line:83%
effects of air pollution
and environmental racism.

00:01:41.800 --> 00:01:46.305 align:start position:0% line:83%
Laura Cortez and Cindy
Donis of the East Yard

00:01:46.338 --> 00:01:50.209 line:83%
Communities for Environmental
Justice are fighting back.

00:01:50.242 --> 00:01:52.445 size:84% position:42% line:78%
Cindy, tell us who you are.

00:01:52.478 --> 00:01:53.346 align:start position:0% line:78%
What do you do?

00:01:53.379 --> 00:01:55.848 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> The work that we
do is across different

00:01:55.881 --> 00:01:57.116 align:start position:0% line:78%
parts of Los Angeles.

00:01:57.149 --> 00:02:00.486 align:start position:0% line:83%
That includes Boyle
Heights, East LA, Southeast

00:02:00.519 --> 00:02:02.622 align:start position:0% line:78%
LA and Long Beach.

00:02:02.655 --> 00:02:06.058 align:start position:0% line:83%
And we're working around
environmental justice issues.

00:02:06.091 --> 00:02:09.262 align:start position:0% line:83%
These communities are
overburdened with industrial

00:02:09.295 --> 00:02:14.400 align:start position:0% line:83%
contamination and the
impacts of that exposure.

00:02:14.433 --> 00:02:19.906 align:start position:0% line:83%
The health impacts include
asthma, cancer, cardiovascular,

00:02:19.939 --> 00:02:21.641 size:88% position:44% line:78%
other respiratory illnesses.

00:02:21.674 --> 00:02:26.145 align:start position:0% line:83%
And so we're helping folks
understand and create the link

00:02:26.178 --> 00:02:29.048 align:start position:0% line:83%
between those health impacts
that they're dealing with

00:02:29.081 --> 00:02:31.684 align:start position:0% line:83%
and the things that surround
our communities and are

00:02:31.717 --> 00:02:33.286 line:78%
embedded with our communities.

00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:37.156 align:start position:0% line:83%
And we're giving them the
tools to be able to advocate,

00:02:37.189 --> 00:02:40.393 size:75% position:38% line:83%
to create a better world
and a better community

00:02:40.426 --> 00:02:41.994 size:78% position:39% line:78%
that they're residing in.

00:02:42.027 --> 00:02:45.398 size:88% position:44% line:83%
>>> In February, before the
COVID-19 epidemic hit, I was

00:02:45.431 --> 00:02:50.803 align:start position:0% line:83%
in LA and got a tour around
East Yard from Cindy and Laura.

00:02:50.836 --> 00:02:51.504 align:start position:0% line:78%
Take a look.

00:02:53.505 --> 00:02:55.841 size:84% position:42% line:83%
>>> You can't sense smell
through film, but it smells

00:02:55.874 --> 00:02:58.244 size:88% position:44% line:83%
really, really bad right now
in this area that we're at.

00:02:58.277 --> 00:03:01.314 align:start position:0% line:83%
And that's because in the
city of Vernon and then also

00:03:01.347 --> 00:03:04.717 align:start position:0% line:83%
the city of Boyle Heights,
there's about four plants that

00:03:04.750 --> 00:03:06.185 size:88% position:44% line:78%
are called rendering plants.

00:03:06.218 --> 00:03:09.755 size:84% position:42% line:83%
Any road kill that is found
gets sent to those places.

00:03:09.788 --> 00:03:14.260 line:83%
Any animals that get killed
at shelters get sent to these

00:03:14.293 --> 00:03:19.265 align:start position:0% line:83%
places and any dead animals
can get sent to these rendering

00:03:19.298 --> 00:03:21.901 size:75% position:38% line:78%
plants to get processed.

00:03:21.934 --> 00:03:25.071 align:start position:0% line:83%
They get processed
to make gelatin.

00:03:25.104 --> 00:03:29.108 align:start position:0% line:83%
They get processed to make
makeup and other products that

00:03:29.141 --> 00:03:33.813 line:83%
we might not have considered
to have animal parts in them.

00:03:33.846 --> 00:03:34.981 align:start position:0% line:78%
They have them.

00:03:35.014 --> 00:03:37.617 align:start position:0% line:83%
And that's where they get
processed to then send to those

00:03:37.650 --> 00:03:39.685 line:78%
companies where they get made.

00:03:39.718 --> 00:03:42.822 align:start position:0% line:83%
The reason why we smell
the smell is because these

00:03:42.855 --> 00:03:48.227 align:start position:0% line:83%
facilities leave the carcasses
and the dead bodies outside

00:03:48.260 --> 00:03:52.331 align:start position:0% line:78%
exposed during the day.

00:03:52.364 --> 00:03:55.401 size:78% position:39% line:83%
>>> So we're standing in 
front Exide Technologies.

00:03:55.434 --> 00:03:58.237 align:start position:0% line:83%
Exide Technologies was
a battery led recycler.

00:03:58.270 --> 00:04:02.375 size:81% position:41% line:83%
And so they would bring in
used batteries, like car

00:04:02.408 --> 00:04:05.177 size:81% position:41% line:83%
batteries for example, and
then they would melt them

00:04:05.210 --> 00:04:07.480 size:88% position:44% line:78%
down through a lead smelter.

00:04:07.513 --> 00:04:09.482 align:start position:0% line:83%
But what was happening
is that they weren't

00:04:09.515 --> 00:04:10.650 align:start position:0% line:78%
doing it appropriately.

00:04:10.683 --> 00:04:12.885 align:start position:0% line:83%
And this was since the
1920s through the 1940s.

00:04:12.918 --> 00:04:15.821 align:start position:0% line:83%
And it went through different
ownership, but continued

00:04:15.854 --> 00:04:17.390 align:start position:0% line:78%
to be a lead smelter.

00:04:17.423 --> 00:04:22.028 size:84% position:42% line:83%
And through the smeltering,
there was so many decades

00:04:22.061 --> 00:04:27.300 align:start position:0% line:83%
worth of arsenic and lead
that became part of our soil.

00:04:27.333 --> 00:04:30.102 size:78% position:39% line:83%
So even though this area
looks heavily industrial,

00:04:30.135 --> 00:04:32.405 align:start position:0% line:83%
it's actually really,
really close to home.

00:04:32.438 --> 00:04:36.809 size:88% position:44% line:83%
In 2013, Exide was shut down
through community pressure.

00:04:36.842 --> 00:04:39.845 align:start position:0% line:83%
We were told it
couldn't be done. It was done.

00:04:39.878 --> 00:04:42.014 align:start position:0% line:83%
And now we are in the cleanup
process, which is another

00:04:42.047 --> 00:04:46.819 align:start position:0% line:83%
uphill battle because Exide
left basically without

00:04:46.852 --> 00:04:48.654 align:start position:0% line:78%
having to pay anything.

00:04:48.687 --> 00:04:51.858 line:83%
And so our communities are left
with huge public health gaps.

00:04:53.826 --> 00:04:55.127 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> Laura, let
me bring you in.

00:04:55.160 --> 00:04:58.097 align:start position:0% line:83%
How has COVID-19
affected your community?

00:04:58.130 --> 00:04:59.231 size:84% position:42% line:78%
>>> Everything has changed.

00:04:59.264 --> 00:05:01.300 align:start position:0% line:83%
And yet nothing has changed
for our communities.

00:05:01.333 --> 00:05:06.539 align:start position:0% line:83%
We still have a bunch
of truck traffic coming

00:05:06.572 --> 00:05:08.074 size:81% position:41% line:78%
through our neighborhoods.

00:05:08.107 --> 00:05:09.108 align:start position:0% line:78%
That has not stopped.

00:05:09.141 --> 00:05:10.242 size:84% position:42% line:78%
The ports have not stopped.

00:05:10.275 --> 00:05:12.545 size:81% position:41% line:78%
The refineries don't stop.

00:05:12.578 --> 00:05:15.281 align:start position:0% line:83%
So there's continued operations
because these businesses

00:05:15.314 --> 00:05:17.483 line:78%
are labeled as essential. Right?

00:05:17.516 --> 00:05:20.486 line:83%
Even though they're continuing
to pollute, which leaves our

00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:24.590 line:83%
lives as not essential as we're
sheltering in place at home.

00:05:24.623 --> 00:05:29.195 line:83%
We continue to have to breath
these toxins in, whether it's

00:05:29.228 --> 00:05:32.398 line:78%
air pollution, soil pollution.

00:05:32.431 --> 00:05:38.504 align:start position:0% line:83%
And our activities being
removed or reduced, but these

00:05:38.537 --> 00:05:42.475 line:83%
companies continue to operate
full force and are actually

00:05:42.508 --> 00:05:45.911 line:83%
getting a lot of passes from
the government, whether that's

00:05:45.944 --> 00:05:49.715 align:start position:0% line:83%
regional, whether that's
state, whether that's federal.

00:05:49.748 --> 00:05:52.752 align:start position:0% line:83%
We're fighting the EPA,
we're fighting South Coast Air

00:05:52.785 --> 00:05:56.956 size:88% position:44% line:83%
Quality Management District,
because these agencies that

00:05:56.989 --> 00:05:59.725 size:81% position:41% line:83%
are to supposed to protect
us are actually doing roll

00:05:59.758 --> 00:06:03.963 size:75% position:38% line:83%
backs to not protect us,
to do quite the opposite

00:06:03.996 --> 00:06:07.266 size:81% position:41% line:83%
and allow these industries
to continue functioning.

00:06:07.299 --> 00:06:09.668 align:start position:0% line:83%
And they're doing this
without any public processes.

00:06:09.701 --> 00:06:13.406 size:78% position:39% line:83%
So COVID-19 is definitely
a double edged sword in

00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:17.309 align:start position:0% line:83%
terms of, we are more
likely, racially, because

00:06:17.342 --> 00:06:19.178 size:84% position:42% line:78%
we're communities of color.

00:06:19.211 --> 00:06:22.615 size:84% position:42% line:83%
And reports state, there's
a study called Race Counts,

00:06:22.648 --> 00:06:23.849 size:81% position:41% line:78%
which is really important.

00:06:23.883 --> 00:06:28.554 line:83%
And it directly correlates our
race to the fact that we're more

00:06:28.587 --> 00:06:33.426 line:83%
likely to have COVID and we're
more likely to die from COVID.

00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:35.661 align:start position:0% line:83%
Although the curve is
flattening, that is flattening

00:06:35.694 --> 00:06:39.799 align:start position:0% line:83%
for the white affluent
communities in the LA area,

00:06:39.832 --> 00:06:41.700 size:81% position:41% line:78%
that does not apply to us.

00:06:41.733 --> 00:06:47.339 align:start position:0% line:83%
And what's happening with
the racial trajectories is it

00:06:47.372 --> 00:06:50.876 size:81% position:41% line:83%
increased by the fact that
these industrial polluters

00:06:50.909 --> 00:06:53.345 line:78%
continue to get these passes.

00:06:53.378 --> 00:06:55.414 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> Many people in
the mainstream media,

00:06:55.447 --> 00:06:57.850 align:start position:0% line:83%
and frankly some of our
mainstream environmental

00:06:57.883 --> 00:07:00.753 size:78% position:39% line:83%
organizations, have been
saying that environmental

00:07:00.786 --> 00:07:04.690 line:83%
improvement and reduction in
emissions is the great silver

00:07:04.723 --> 00:07:07.460 size:75% position:38% line:78%
lining of this pandemic.

00:07:07.493 --> 00:07:09.895 align:start position:0% line:83%
That's not what I'm
hearing from you. Cindy.

00:07:09.928 --> 00:07:12.898 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> Yeah. Thank you
for this question.

00:07:12.931 --> 00:07:17.970 size:88% position:44% line:83%
We also see images of nature
coming back to its original

00:07:18.003 --> 00:07:22.641 align:start position:0% line:83%
places, but here in LA
for low income communities

00:07:22.674 --> 00:07:25.644 align:start position:0% line:83%
of color, because we're
surrounded by industry,

00:07:25.677 --> 00:07:27.480 size:78% position:39% line:78%
that's just not the case.

00:07:27.513 --> 00:07:31.116 align:start position:0% line:83%
And so there's been preliminary
studies that have been

00:07:31.149 --> 00:07:35.654 size:88% position:44% line:83%
conducted that correlate air
pollution and contamination

00:07:35.687 --> 00:07:37.456 line:78%
and then the impacts of COVID.

00:07:37.489 --> 00:07:41.093 line:83%
And this data that's coming out
is revealing that for people

00:07:41.126 --> 00:07:44.697 size:81% position:41% line:83%
who were exposed to higher
levels of contamination,

00:07:44.730 --> 00:07:48.601 align:start position:0% line:83%
in particular there's one study
that connects particulate

00:07:48.634 --> 00:07:55.708 line:83%
matter 2.5, PM2.5, which is what
diesel is, that the likelihood,

00:07:55.741 --> 00:08:00.346 size:88% position:44% line:83%
that there's a higher chance
of you to get COVID and for

00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:02.448 line:78%
COVID to have a deadly impact.

00:08:02.481 --> 00:08:06.852 size:81% position:41% line:83%
If you are already exposed
to PM2.5, which is all the

00:08:06.885 --> 00:08:09.455 size:81% position:41% line:83%
communities that we listed
earlier, thinking from the

00:08:09.488 --> 00:08:13.359 line:83%
ports and all the neighborhoods
that are along the 710 freeway

00:08:13.392 --> 00:08:17.897 align:start position:0% line:83%
are already at a higher
exposure prior to COVID coming.

00:08:17.930 --> 00:08:22.101 align:start position:0% line:83%
And now even during COVID
being here, it's a big reality.

00:08:22.134 --> 00:08:26.472 size:81% position:41% line:83%
And it's a big fear that
our community members have

00:08:26.505 --> 00:08:29.708 align:start position:0% line:83%
around COVID in general, but
it's another layer of it,

00:08:29.741 --> 00:08:31.944 align:start position:0% line:83%
because of the air pollution
that they're exposed to.

00:08:31.977 --> 00:08:34.547 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> What companies
are there in East LA,

00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:35.781 size:81% position:41% line:78%
if you were to name names?

00:08:35.814 --> 00:08:38.417 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> Well for Long
Beach, the big one is

00:08:38.450 --> 00:08:41.153 size:75% position:38% line:78%
the Marathon refineries.

00:08:41.186 --> 00:08:44.490 align:start position:0% line:83%
Marathon Refinery, and
then there's also Tesoro,

00:08:44.523 --> 00:08:47.693 size:78% position:39% line:78%
there's also Phillips 66.

00:08:47.726 --> 00:08:50.329 align:start position:0% line:83%
And so it's a conglomerate
of different refineries

00:08:50.362 --> 00:08:51.864 align:start position:0% line:78%
that are there.

00:08:51.897 --> 00:08:53.966 align:start position:0% line:83%
And from there, we have
the ports, which a lot

00:08:53.999 --> 00:08:57.269 align:start position:0% line:83%
of the machinery in the
ports also run on diesel.

00:08:57.302 --> 00:09:01.206 line:83%
There are a few that are zero
emissions, but not enough.

00:09:01.239 --> 00:09:05.177 size:75% position:38% line:83%
And for the 710 freeway,
it's between 40,000 to

00:09:05.210 --> 00:09:09.682 align:start position:0% line:83%
60,000 truck trips that
happen every single day.

00:09:09.715 --> 00:09:15.888 line:83%
And that 710 freeway parallels
Long Beach, it parallels with

00:09:15.921 --> 00:09:20.192 line:83%
Lynwood, with Compton, with
Bell Gardens, with Bell, with

00:09:20.225 --> 00:09:21.627 size:81% position:41% line:78%
Maywood, Cudahy, Commerce.

00:09:21.660 --> 00:09:25.631 align:start position:0% line:83%
And in Commerce,
that's where we have a lot of

00:09:25.664 --> 00:09:30.970 line:83%
warehousing and a lot of food
distribution centers as well.

00:09:31.003 --> 00:09:35.941 line:83%
And so thinking about people's
access to food, where right here

00:09:35.974 --> 00:09:39.378 align:start position:0% line:83%
we have community members who
don't have access to food or are

00:09:39.411 --> 00:09:45.117 line:83%
having to barter between paying
for rent or paying for food.

00:09:45.150 --> 00:09:48.220 align:start position:0% line:83%
We have all these warehouses
here so that this food is

00:09:48.253 --> 00:09:51.156 align:start position:0% line:83%
coming through our communities,
but our community members

00:09:51.189 --> 00:09:53.792 size:84% position:42% line:78%
here lack the access to it.

00:09:53.825 --> 00:09:57.796 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> Laura, this is
business as usual,

00:09:57.829 --> 00:10:00.432 size:75% position:38% line:78%
as you said under COVID.

00:10:00.465 --> 00:10:04.269 align:start position:0% line:83%
What sort of change
are you working for?

00:10:04.302 --> 00:10:08.207 align:start position:0% line:83%
And can you work for
that in these times?

00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:13.112 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> Yeah. I think we talk about
this a lot at East Yard

00:10:13.145 --> 00:10:14.613 size:75% position:38% line:78%
and it's really twofold.

00:10:14.646 --> 00:10:18.117 line:83%
One is we're trying to address
the needs of our members now

00:10:18.150 --> 00:10:20.085 line:78%
because there are so many needs.

00:10:20.118 --> 00:10:24.657 line:83%
The needs that already existed
around housing, around food,

00:10:24.690 --> 00:10:27.059 size:81% position:41% line:83%
around justice, around our
criminal justice system.

00:10:27.092 --> 00:10:30.562 align:start position:0% line:83%
All of these needs
already existed.

00:10:30.595 --> 00:10:36.669 size:78% position:39% line:83%
But they are so much more
augmented and magnified

00:10:36.702 --> 00:10:38.237 align:start position:0% line:78%
through COVID-19.

00:10:38.270 --> 00:10:40.906 line:83%
And so when we're trying to
meet those needs and also our

00:10:40.939 --> 00:10:44.043 line:83%
vision for the future, which
is not what we had, we do not

00:10:44.076 --> 00:10:45.310 size:81% position:41% line:78%
want to go back to normal.

00:10:45.343 --> 00:10:46.845 align:start position:0% line:83%
That is not the
way it should go.

00:10:46.878 --> 00:10:53.385 line:83%
It was never okay for us, what
was normal for other people.

00:10:53.418 --> 00:10:59.124 align:start position:0% line:83%
And for one is this capitalist
system does not work.

00:10:59.157 --> 00:11:00.392 align:start position:0% line:78%
It is not functional.

00:11:00.425 --> 00:11:04.329 line:83%
We need a different system, one
that takes into account race

00:11:04.362 --> 00:11:09.668 align:start position:0% line:83%
equity, one that takes into
account gender equity, and all

00:11:09.701 --> 00:11:11.537 size:88% position:44% line:78%
these other different forms.

00:11:11.570 --> 00:11:15.107 size:81% position:41% line:83%
Migration as a form that
is natural and fluid, that

00:11:15.140 --> 00:11:16.375 size:84% position:42% line:78%
should not be criminalized.

00:11:16.408 --> 00:11:18.210 line:78%
So all these different issues.

00:11:18.243 --> 00:11:21.547 line:83%
But in the immediate we're
also just trying to make sure

00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:23.115 size:88% position:44% line:78%
community members have food.

00:11:23.148 --> 00:11:26.518 line:83%
We're also just trying to make
sure that community members have

00:11:26.551 --> 00:11:28.787 size:88% position:44% line:78%
mental health and wellbeing.

00:11:28.820 --> 00:11:30.989 size:84% position:42% line:83%
And so we're trying to make
sure that we have social

00:11:31.022 --> 00:11:34.093 size:81% position:41% line:78%
cohesion within our group.

00:11:34.126 --> 00:11:37.196 align:start position:0% line:83%
Cindy always talks
about social solidarity.

00:11:37.229 --> 00:11:39.498 align:start position:0% line:83%
So making sure that even
though we have these physical

00:11:39.531 --> 00:11:43.235 size:84% position:42% line:83%
distances, that we continue
to communicate, continue

00:11:43.268 --> 00:11:44.336 size:75% position:38% line:78%
to build that community.

00:11:44.369 --> 00:11:49.475 align:start position:0% line:83%
Because when the COVID
crisis is over, that does

00:11:49.508 --> 00:11:51.443 line:78%
not stop the struggle for us.

00:11:51.476 --> 00:11:55.280 align:start position:0% line:83%
That is not going to be
the magic solution to

00:11:55.313 --> 00:11:59.785 align:start position:0% line:83%
our problems because our
problems were already there.

00:11:59.818 --> 00:12:04.189 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> So, I'm just
going to push you.

00:12:04.222 --> 00:12:07.659 line:83%
You are familiar, you do it all
the time, everything at once.

00:12:07.692 --> 00:12:10.696 align:start position:0% line:83%
The immediate needs
and the future plan.

00:12:10.729 --> 00:12:13.465 size:78% position:39% line:83%
For many people, this is
a future planning moment.

00:12:13.498 --> 00:12:16.735 align:start position:0% line:83%
Meaning corporate
executives are planning.

00:12:16.768 --> 00:12:18.303 size:84% position:42% line:78%
You talked about rollbacks.

00:12:18.336 --> 00:12:23.142 size:78% position:39% line:83%
We could see them carving
up a world very different

00:12:23.175 --> 00:12:25.511 align:start position:0% line:78%
even than it is now.

00:12:25.544 --> 00:12:28.947 align:start position:0% line:83%
We also need, you
perhaps also need a plan.

00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:32.551 align:start position:0% line:83%
I'm imagining you have
one percolating somewhere.

00:12:32.584 --> 00:12:37.189 align:start position:0% line:83%
You're doing a series
every Tuesday on Instagram.

00:12:37.222 --> 00:12:42.394 size:81% position:41% line:83%
What actions do you want
to see coming out of this?

00:12:42.427 --> 00:12:45.697 align:start position:0% line:83%
Assuming we survive, as
many of us as possible.

00:12:45.730 --> 00:12:47.466 size:81% position:41% line:78%
>>> Yeah. Go ahead, Cindy.

00:12:47.499 --> 00:12:49.701 size:84% position:42% line:78%
>>> Whoever you want to go.

00:12:49.734 --> 00:12:51.603 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> Yeah, I wanted to talk
a little bit about the sessions

00:12:51.636 --> 00:12:53.505 line:78%
that we're doing on Tuesdays.

00:12:53.538 --> 00:12:57.876 size:75% position:38% line:78%
It's #EYCEToxicTuesdays.

00:12:57.909 --> 00:13:00.913 align:start position:0% line:83%
And we created that
particularly because we

00:13:00.946 --> 00:13:04.116 align:start position:0% line:83%
had been hearing like,
"Oh, air quality is better.

00:13:04.149 --> 00:13:05.217 align:start position:0% line:78%
It's improving."

00:13:05.250 --> 00:13:08.720 size:81% position:41% line:83%
And then when we looked at
our own backyards in our

00:13:08.753 --> 00:13:11.323 align:start position:0% line:83%
own communities, we see
that that's not the case.

00:13:11.356 --> 00:13:15.027 size:81% position:41% line:83%
And so we really wanted to
elevate our stories, our

00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:17.563 size:88% position:44% line:83%
community members' stories,
and also the stories that we

00:13:17.596 --> 00:13:21.333 size:81% position:41% line:83%
were hearing on a national
level from our allies that

00:13:21.366 --> 00:13:26.939 size:84% position:42% line:83%
were also experiencing that
same feeling of the impacts

00:13:26.972 --> 00:13:31.710 align:start position:0% line:83%
of COVID, but also the reality
of environmental racism.

00:13:31.743 --> 00:13:34.713 size:75% position:38% line:83%
And so I think one thing
that we want people to

00:13:34.746 --> 00:13:37.783 align:start position:0% line:83%
realize throughout this
moment is that corporations

00:13:37.816 --> 00:13:38.851 align:start position:0% line:78%
aren't putting a halt.

00:13:38.884 --> 00:13:40.552 align:start position:0% line:83%
Like you said, they're
planning, they're making

00:13:40.585 --> 00:13:43.722 size:78% position:39% line:83%
big moves, they're trying
to decrease regulation so

00:13:43.755 --> 00:13:47.059 size:88% position:44% line:83%
that they can increase their
profits while still causing

00:13:47.092 --> 00:13:48.627 size:81% position:41% line:78%
harm in our neighborhoods.

00:13:48.660 --> 00:13:52.130 align:start position:0% line:83%
And so we wanted to provide
an outlet for community

00:13:52.163 --> 00:13:55.868 align:start position:0% line:83%
members to tune in and
learn about the continued

00:13:55.901 --> 00:13:58.070 size:88% position:44% line:78%
exposures that are going on.

00:13:58.103 --> 00:14:01.073 align:start position:0% line:83%
Whether that be the first time
they hear about it and can

00:14:01.106 --> 00:14:04.710 size:88% position:44% line:83%
start engaging, or whether
it's providing some sense of

00:14:04.743 --> 00:14:07.779 size:84% position:42% line:83%
relief of like, "I'm not
crazy. I see it. I feel it.

00:14:07.812 --> 00:14:09.414 align:start position:0% line:78%
And this is real."

00:14:09.447 --> 00:14:11.316 size:84% position:42% line:78%
So some form of validation.

00:14:11.349 --> 00:14:16.088 size:78% position:39% line:83%
And like Laura mentioned,
this moment, even though

00:14:16.121 --> 00:14:19.157 align:start position:0% line:83%
we've been hearing the
term social distancing.

00:14:19.190 --> 00:14:22.628 size:81% position:41% line:83%
We have to practice social
distancing where yes, we

00:14:22.661 --> 00:14:26.999 line:83%
should be practicing physical
distancing to keep our elders,

00:14:27.032 --> 00:14:33.272 align:start position:0% line:83%
to keep our most immune
compromised community members

00:14:33.305 --> 00:14:37.609 line:83%
safe, it completely makes sense
to keep physical distancing.

00:14:37.642 --> 00:14:41.346 line:83%
But we need to still have some
type of fabrication of social

00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:44.950 align:start position:0% line:83%
solidarity in this moment
and listening to each other.

00:14:44.983 --> 00:14:49.888 line:83%
And so if I hope anything comes
out of this, is that people are

00:14:49.921 --> 00:14:56.128 line:83%
really opening their eyes to how
our government has denied access

00:14:56.161 --> 00:15:00.432 line:83%
to resources prior to this, but
even seeing this moment of COVID

00:15:00.465 --> 00:15:03.335 size:88% position:44% line:78%
as a bigger example of that.

00:15:03.368 --> 00:15:09.074 align:start position:0% line:83%
That these phases in of
reopening and reopening

00:15:09.107 --> 00:15:13.812 size:84% position:42% line:83%
different outlets of profit
in our economy, it's really

00:15:13.845 --> 00:15:17.316 size:78% position:39% line:83%
about corporations still
wanting to continue their

00:15:17.349 --> 00:15:20.852 align:start position:0% line:83%
revenue and it's not so
much about keeping us safe.

00:15:20.885 --> 00:15:23.155 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> The fact of
these rollbacks is

00:15:23.188 --> 00:15:25.724 align:start position:0% line:78%
not well understood.

00:15:25.757 --> 00:15:29.394 size:88% position:44% line:83%
Can you elaborate at all on
any of the changes that have

00:15:29.427 --> 00:15:31.496 size:78% position:39% line:83%
gone into place and what
effect they're having now

00:15:31.529 --> 00:15:33.031 size:84% position:42% line:78%
or you fear they will have?

00:15:33.064 --> 00:15:34.032 align:start position:0% line:78%
>>> Yeah.

00:15:34.065 --> 00:15:36.802 align:start position:0% line:83%
I can speak to the federal
stuff, and then Laura

00:15:36.835 --> 00:15:39.571 align:start position:0% line:83%
can speak to some of
the more local things.

00:15:39.604 --> 00:15:42.374 size:75% position:38% line:83%
We are as East Yard part
of a national coalition

00:15:42.407 --> 00:15:44.876 align:start position:0% line:83%
called The Moving Forward
Network, and they're keeping

00:15:44.909 --> 00:15:49.848 align:start position:0% line:83%
us in tune and informed
around the EPA rollbacks.

00:15:49.881 --> 00:15:56.688 align:start position:0% line:83%
We do have a sign on letter
that folks can sign onto to push

00:15:56.721 --> 00:15:59.925 line:78%
the EPA to stop the rollbacks.

00:15:59.958 --> 00:16:03.862 size:81% position:41% line:83%
And so at a federal level,
that is what EPA has done.

00:16:03.895 --> 00:16:06.965 align:start position:0% line:83%
They've roll backed on
enforcement for some

00:16:06.998 --> 00:16:09.968 align:start position:0% line:83%
crucial federal and
environmental regulations.

00:16:10.001 --> 00:16:12.571 align:start position:0% line:83%
So it's allowing
agencies themselves or

00:16:12.604 --> 00:16:15.140 size:81% position:41% line:83%
corporations themselves to
be their own regulators.

00:16:15.173 --> 00:16:18.310 size:75% position:38% line:83%
And that just means that
there's going to be poor

00:16:18.343 --> 00:16:20.245 line:78%
regulation at hand happening.

00:16:20.278 --> 00:16:24.249 align:start position:0% line:83%
And so with MFN, the Moving
Forward Network, that's

00:16:24.282 --> 00:16:26.885 align:start position:0% line:83%
what we're currently pushing
is that EPA essentially

00:16:26.918 --> 00:16:29.354 align:start position:0% line:78%
just do their job.

00:16:29.387 --> 00:16:32.024 align:start position:0% line:83%
To not let COVID
or to not fight,

00:16:32.057 --> 00:16:36.028 size:78% position:39% line:83%
yeah, to not let COVID be
the reason to rollback,

00:16:36.061 --> 00:16:37.496 size:84% position:42% line:78%
to not use it as an excuse.

00:16:38.496 --> 00:16:40.966 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> Laura, and
the local picture?

00:16:40.999 --> 00:16:43.835 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> Yeah. So regionally we have
our South Coast Air Quality

00:16:43.868 --> 00:16:47.205 size:81% position:41% line:83%
Management District that's
supposed to regulate our

00:16:47.238 --> 00:16:52.711 align:start position:0% line:83%
air quality, but instead
what this agency is doing is

00:16:52.744 --> 00:16:58.116 size:84% position:42% line:83%
prioritizing and expediting
the permitting process for

00:16:58.149 --> 00:16:59.885 size:84% position:42% line:78%
these polluting facilities.

00:16:59.918 --> 00:17:02.487 align:start position:0% line:83%
Meanwhile, they just
announced that they are

00:17:02.520 --> 00:17:07.526 align:start position:0% line:83%
delaying or postponing quite
a few, I believe it was

00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:11.930 size:84% position:42% line:83%
10 policies, that would be
regulating these polluters.

00:17:11.963 --> 00:17:15.867 line:83%
So they have more than enough
time to be able to expedite

00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:21.406 align:start position:0% line:83%
the process [inaudible]
that polluters go through.

00:17:21.439 --> 00:17:24.042 align:start position:0% line:83%
But they do not have
enough time, they do not

00:17:24.075 --> 00:17:27.579 align:start position:0% line:83%
prioritize these policies that
are supposed to protect our

00:17:27.612 --> 00:17:30.248 align:start position:0% line:83%
air quality and ensure our
wellbeing in a time where we're

00:17:30.281 --> 00:17:34.386 line:83%
already disproportionately
at risk of contracting COVID.

00:17:34.419 --> 00:17:36.688 align:start position:0% line:83%
Because it does impact
the immune system and

00:17:36.721 --> 00:17:40.459 size:81% position:41% line:83%
respiratory system, we are
already immunocompromised.

00:17:40.492 --> 00:17:43.462 align:start position:0% line:83%
We already have
respiratory deficiencies.

00:17:43.495 --> 00:17:49.634 align:start position:0% line:83%
And so this is what AQMD and
the feds are doing is completely

00:17:49.667 --> 00:17:53.538 size:84% position:42% line:83%
contrary to what we need in
our communities right now.

00:17:53.571 --> 00:17:56.741 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> There's been a
lot of talk, Laura, about

00:17:56.774 --> 00:17:59.544 line:78%
environmental justice. A lot.

00:17:59.577 --> 00:18:01.213 size:78% position:39% line:78%
And environmental racism.

00:18:01.246 --> 00:18:04.416 align:start position:0% line:83%
And these terms are
heard much more now

00:18:04.449 --> 00:18:06.785 size:75% position:38% line:78%
than maybe 10 years ago.

00:18:06.818 --> 00:18:11.756 size:81% position:41% line:83%
Are you seeing a change in
the way that the biggest,

00:18:11.789 --> 00:18:16.194 size:84% position:42% line:83%
most powerful environmental
organizations are acting?

00:18:16.227 --> 00:18:20.832 line:83%
Have they reached out to you,
especially in light of this

00:18:20.865 --> 00:18:24.836 size:88% position:44% line:78%
story about a silver lining?

00:18:24.869 --> 00:18:28.073 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> I think that we have
forced our way in, to be honest.

00:18:28.106 --> 00:18:31.576 align:start position:0% line:83%
I think it's a time where
East Yard Communities

00:18:31.609 --> 00:18:34.579 align:start position:0% line:83%
for Environmental Justice
focuses on community

00:18:34.612 --> 00:18:37.582 size:84% position:42% line:78%
capacity for self-advocacy.

00:18:37.615 --> 00:18:42.020 line:83%
However, we need to be at the
table at a regional level, at a

00:18:42.053 --> 00:18:43.421 line:78%
state level, at a federal level.

00:18:43.454 --> 00:18:45.824 align:start position:0% line:83%
And we have pushed ourselves
to be in those spaces.

00:18:45.857 --> 00:18:50.428 align:start position:0% line:83%
At times, we do have what
we call main greens,

00:18:50.461 --> 00:18:55.033 size:78% position:39% line:83%
or the big greens, these
larger environmental orgs

00:18:55.066 --> 00:18:57.435 align:start position:0% line:83%
who are supportive, and
at times they are not.

00:18:57.468 --> 00:18:59.905 size:84% position:42% line:83%
And when they are not, they
end up stifling a lot of

00:18:59.938 --> 00:19:02.307 size:75% position:38% line:78%
our work, unfortunately.

00:19:02.340 --> 00:19:06.144 align:start position:0% line:83%
But when we do come
together, it's great.

00:19:06.177 --> 00:19:09.214 line:83%
And when we don't, we're still
going to push and we continue

00:19:09.247 --> 00:19:10.282 size:75% position:38% line:78%
pushing with our allies.

00:19:10.315 --> 00:19:13.251 size:78% position:39% line:83%
That's part of our Moving
Forward Network national

00:19:13.284 --> 00:19:17.022 align:start position:0% line:83%
platform is pushed our way
into the top to make sure that

00:19:17.055 --> 00:19:18.190 size:81% position:41% line:78%
we're heard at that level.

00:19:18.223 --> 00:19:22.527 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> Joe Biden, the
presumptive Democratic nominee,

00:19:22.560 --> 00:19:24.996 size:81% position:41% line:83%
recently announced that he
was establishing working

00:19:25.029 --> 00:19:26.765 size:84% position:42% line:78%
groups on different topics.

00:19:26.798 --> 00:19:30.936 align:start position:0% line:83%
And he named Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez, Queens

00:19:30.969 --> 00:19:34.973 align:start position:0% line:83%
Congresswoman, self-defined
democratic socialist,

00:19:35.006 --> 00:19:38.510 align:start position:0% line:83%
as one of the chairs of
his caucus, his working

00:19:38.543 --> 00:19:40.946 size:78% position:39% line:78%
group on climate justice.

00:19:40.979 --> 00:19:42.847 align:start position:0% line:83%
Does that give you
hope, confidence?

00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:45.650 align:start position:0% line:83%
Do you have any expectations
around that, Cindy?

00:19:45.683 --> 00:19:50.655 size:84% position:42% line:83%
>>> I think that is hopeful
that environmental justice

00:19:50.688 --> 00:19:53.391 align:start position:0% line:83%
is one of the topics of
conversation, that there's

00:19:53.424 --> 00:19:55.327 size:81% position:41% line:78%
going to be a group on it.

00:19:55.360 --> 00:19:57.696 align:start position:0% line:83%
That doesn't change the
work that East Yard is

00:19:57.729 --> 00:19:59.397 size:81% position:41% line:78%
going to do on the ground.

00:19:59.430 --> 00:20:02.567 align:start position:0% line:83%
We're going to continue
with our local agencies and

00:20:02.600 --> 00:20:05.704 size:81% position:41% line:83%
pushing our local agencies
to do more and do better.

00:20:05.737 --> 00:20:10.208 size:78% position:39% line:83%
And if that report or any
policies that they create

00:20:10.241 --> 00:20:14.346 size:88% position:44% line:83%
through that group that come
through, if we can leverage

00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:18.183 line:83%
those to uplift the work that
we're already doing, that will

00:20:18.216 --> 00:20:19.451 size:88% position:44% line:78%
make our work more powerful.

00:20:19.484 --> 00:20:22.087 align:start position:0% line:83%
But until then we have
to continue doing this

00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:23.588 align:start position:0% line:78%
work here locally.

00:20:23.621 --> 00:20:28.026 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> The two of you seem
quite calm and as always

00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:32.864 size:78% position:39% line:83%
very collected and clear,
but you got to be raging.

00:20:32.897 --> 00:20:36.801 align:start position:0% line:83%
And you've got to be exasperated
at this dissonance between

00:20:36.834 --> 00:20:41.172 line:83%
your reality and the reality
people are seeing on their TV.

00:20:41.205 --> 00:20:44.542 size:75% position:38% line:83%
Can you talk to us about
that for just a minute?

00:20:44.575 --> 00:20:48.280 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> Yeah. I mean, I
have my moments.

00:20:48.313 --> 00:20:49.881 size:75% position:38% line:83%
Right here, I'm calm and
connected, because we're

00:20:49.914 --> 00:20:52.250 align:start position:0% line:83%
being recorded and we're
doing this interview.

00:20:52.283 --> 00:20:54.919 align:start position:0% line:78%
But this is hard.

00:20:54.952 --> 00:20:58.456 align:start position:0% line:83%
I think some of the hardest
conversations that get

00:20:58.489 --> 00:21:02.127 align:start position:0% line:83%
to me are the ones with
members who are struggling.

00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:08.967 line:83%
I'm very fortunate to have a
team and both through work and

00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:13.838 line:83%
through East Yard, but then also
here at home and with my family

00:21:13.871 --> 00:21:17.575 line:83%
where we have good communication
and we can support each other.

00:21:17.608 --> 00:21:21.446 align:start position:0% line:83%
But for undocumented community
members who maybe they're

00:21:21.479 --> 00:21:24.949 line:83%
the only family here, that
they don't have that network.

00:21:24.982 --> 00:21:26.451 size:81% position:41% line:78%
East Yard is that network.

00:21:26.484 --> 00:21:31.389 line:83%
Or for community members who
are financially struggling and

00:21:31.422 --> 00:21:37.295 line:83%
are having to use their credit
card now to pay for everything,

00:21:37.328 --> 00:21:38.730 size:84% position:42% line:78%
we are that support system.

00:21:38.763 --> 00:21:42.734 align:start position:0% line:83%
And so some of those
conversations are heartbreaking,

00:21:42.767 --> 00:21:46.104 size:84% position:42% line:83%
but it also, it enrages me,
yes, that our communities

00:21:46.137 --> 00:21:48.206 align:start position:0% line:78%
are in this situation.

00:21:48.239 --> 00:21:51.876 line:83%
But what uplifts me is knowing
that I can do something that as

00:21:51.909 --> 00:21:55.413 line:83%
East Yard we can do something
and that there's other amazing

00:21:55.446 --> 00:21:59.784 line:83%
people who are providing so much
mutual aid in their communities.

00:21:59.817 --> 00:22:03.755 line:83%
There's different community
members who have just started

00:22:03.788 --> 00:22:07.525 align:start position:0% line:83%
their own fundraisers to
support, then more community

00:22:07.558 --> 00:22:09.594 size:75% position:38% line:78%
members in their cities.

00:22:09.627 --> 00:22:14.599 align:start position:0% line:83%
And so those mutual aid
efforts that I'm seeing come

00:22:14.632 --> 00:22:19.237 line:83%
through, through social media
and through different portals

00:22:19.270 --> 00:22:22.207 align:start position:0% line:83%
on the internet, that's
what gives me hope that our

00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:26.044 align:start position:0% line:83%
communities are resilient
and we can figure out how to

00:22:26.077 --> 00:22:28.747 line:83%
provide support for each other
in whichever way that means.

00:22:28.780 --> 00:22:32.250 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> Laura, to you, if
you were to take a peek

00:22:32.283 --> 00:22:35.954 align:start position:0% line:83%
inside your heart right
now, what would you see?

00:22:35.987 --> 00:22:40.392 size:78% position:39% line:83%
>>> That's an interesting
way to frame it for sure.

00:22:40.425 --> 00:22:43.928 align:start position:0% line:83%
Yeah. I think I'm always
angry at something.

00:22:43.961 --> 00:22:47.132 size:81% position:41% line:83%
There's always something
to be angry about, we joke

00:22:47.165 --> 00:22:49.067 align:start position:0% line:78%
as the East Yard team.

00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:52.837 size:75% position:38% line:83%
Because the factors have
never been in our favor.

00:22:52.870 --> 00:22:56.074 line:83%
And I think despite that we
have had generations previous

00:22:56.107 --> 00:22:59.477 size:81% position:41% line:83%
to us, my immigrant family
that came here, I'm sure

00:22:59.510 --> 00:23:01.379 size:78% position:39% line:78%
it was not easy for them.

00:23:01.412 --> 00:23:03.782 align:start position:0% line:83%
And yet we found silver
lining within that.

00:23:03.815 --> 00:23:08.319 align:start position:0% line:83%
And I think we continue
in that with us.

00:23:08.352 --> 00:23:11.423 line:83%
As the East Yard team is, yes,
of course we're enraged and that

00:23:11.456 --> 00:23:16.928 line:83%
we funnel into the drive and
motivation to continue pushing.

00:23:16.961 --> 00:23:20.698 align:start position:0% line:83%
And we live for the moments when
a member makes a connection.

00:23:20.731 --> 00:23:24.002 align:start position:0% line:83%
We live for the moments when
a member makes that first

00:23:24.035 --> 00:23:27.972 align:start position:0% line:83%
call to a city council meeting
saying, "I cannot pay rent

00:23:28.005 --> 00:23:31.075 size:78% position:39% line:83%
and I need you to help me
because I deserve that."

00:23:31.108 --> 00:23:35.079 align:start position:0% line:83%
And I think those are
the moments that take us

00:23:35.112 --> 00:23:38.416 align:start position:0% line:78%
from anger into power.

00:23:38.449 --> 00:23:40.385 size:84% position:42% line:83%
And that's the difference
between anger and powers is

00:23:40.418 --> 00:23:43.988 align:start position:0% line:83%
there's something in between,
an action that happens.

00:23:44.021 --> 00:23:46.091 line:78%
And that's what we live to do.

00:23:47.258 --> 00:23:49.294 line:78%
>>> How can people help? Laura.

00:23:49.327 --> 00:23:51.129 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> There's so
many levels of help.

00:23:51.162 --> 00:23:55.900 align:start position:0% line:83%
I think folks who have financial
needs or financial abilities

00:23:55.933 --> 00:23:57.869 size:88% position:44% line:78%
need to support financially.

00:23:57.902 --> 00:24:01.539 line:83%
Whether it's to East Yard,
to an immigrant coalition, to

00:24:01.572 --> 00:24:05.510 line:83%
whatever that group looks like,
you need to support our folks.

00:24:05.543 --> 00:24:07.779 align:start position:0% line:78%
This is not charity.

00:24:07.812 --> 00:24:11.349 size:78% position:39% line:83%
This is social solidarity
that has been needed for

00:24:11.382 --> 00:24:14.519 size:81% position:41% line:83%
generations and that our
communities have been in a

00:24:14.552 --> 00:24:17.388 line:78%
deserving mode for generations.

00:24:17.421 --> 00:24:21.793 align:start position:0% line:83%
In terms of policy, we
need these policymakers to get

00:24:21.826 --> 00:24:24.362 line:78%
it together and prioritize us.

00:24:24.395 --> 00:24:27.599 line:83%
Just because we're not in that
council meeting with them or

00:24:27.632 --> 00:24:30.502 align:start position:0% line:83%
that agency meeting to hold
the accountable,

00:24:30.535 --> 00:24:31.603 line:78%
doesn't mean we're not watching.

00:24:31.636 --> 00:24:33.905 align:start position:0% line:83%
It doesn't mean we're not
lifting our voice,

00:24:33.938 --> 00:24:35.740 size:88% position:44% line:83%
and doesn't mean we're not
going to hold those receipts

00:24:35.773 --> 00:24:36.841 size:81% position:41% line:78%
and hold them accountable.

00:24:36.874 --> 00:24:41.012 align:start position:0% line:83%
And so we need them to
get it together before we

00:24:41.045 --> 00:24:44.516 size:75% position:38% line:83%
end up in an even harder
disarray and dissonance.

00:24:44.549 --> 00:24:49.020 align:start position:0% line:83%
For us, for mother earth, this
is not sustainable for us.

00:24:49.053 --> 00:24:50.488 align:start position:0% line:78%
>>> Thank you.

00:24:50.521 --> 00:24:52.790 align:start position:0% line:83%
Is there anything you
would add to that, Cindy?

00:24:52.823 --> 00:24:56.794 align:start position:0% line:83%
>>> There's an array of
petitions going around also.

00:24:56.827 --> 00:24:58.663 size:81% position:41% line:78%
We have two in particular.

00:24:58.696 --> 00:25:01.299 align:start position:0% line:83%
One is around our
Southeast LA communities

00:25:01.332 --> 00:25:05.036 align:start position:0% line:78%
having access to homes.

00:25:05.069 --> 00:25:11.509 align:start position:0% line:83%
So making sure that rent and
mortgages are forgiven right now

00:25:11.542 --> 00:25:14.779 line:83%
so that they don't have to pay
it and also don't have to worry

00:25:14.812 --> 00:25:17.048 line:78%
about having somewhere stable.

00:25:17.081 --> 00:25:18.850 align:start position:0% line:83%
Because financially
our community members

00:25:18.883 --> 00:25:19.918 align:start position:0% line:78%
are struggling.

00:25:19.951 --> 00:25:22.020 size:84% position:42% line:83%
In addition to that, the
petition is also asking our

00:25:22.053 --> 00:25:26.391 line:83%
city council members to stand
up against ICE and Immigration

00:25:26.424 --> 00:25:30.295 align:start position:0% line:83%
because earlier on, in
particular with the stay at

00:25:30.328 --> 00:25:33.798 line:83%
home ordinances, we did see ICE
come through our neighborhoods,

00:25:33.831 --> 00:25:37.302 align:start position:0% line:83%
particularly in Bell Gardens,
and kidnap some of our community

00:25:37.335 --> 00:25:39.737 size:81% position:41% line:83%
members, just straight up
here in our neighborhoods.

00:25:39.770 --> 00:25:44.242 line:83%
And so our demand is also to
have city council members from

00:25:44.275 --> 00:25:48.713 align:start position:0% line:83%
the various small Southeast
LA cities to make a statement.

00:25:48.746 --> 00:25:53.051 align:start position:0% line:83%
And additionally, to improve
access to food in our

00:25:53.084 --> 00:25:57.655 align:start position:0% line:83%
communities and access to health
and wellness, particularly

00:25:57.688 --> 00:25:59.324 align:start position:0% line:78%
COVID testing places.

00:25:59.357 --> 00:26:01.559 line:83%
Which we've seen improvements
on, but it could also still be

00:26:01.592 --> 00:26:03.728 size:88% position:44% line:78%
better in our neighborhoods.

00:26:03.761 --> 00:26:06.331 align:start position:0% line:83%
And then the second one
is through the Moving

00:26:06.364 --> 00:26:08.733 align:start position:0% line:83%
Forward Network, which
I mentioned earlier.

00:26:08.766 --> 00:26:13.871 size:81% position:41% line:83%
A sign on letter pushing
the EPA to get on with the

00:26:13.904 --> 00:26:17.942 align:start position:0% line:83%
regulations and still hold
companies accountable.

00:26:17.975 --> 00:26:21.846 size:88% position:44% line:83%
And so we can send you those
links also so that you can

00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:23.348 line:78%
help share the word for those.

00:26:23.381 --> 00:26:26.584 align:start position:0% line:83%
It'd be great for social
solidarity for the Southeast LA,

00:26:26.617 --> 00:26:28.386 size:81% position:41% line:78%
if people don't live here.

00:26:28.419 --> 00:26:31.155 align:start position:0% line:83%
But for the EPA one, it
impacts all of us at a

00:26:31.188 --> 00:26:33.858 size:84% position:42% line:83%
national and international
level also, because the air

00:26:33.891 --> 00:26:35.059 size:81% position:41% line:78%
is not stagnant, it moves.

00:26:35.092 --> 00:26:36.527 size:75% position:38% line:78%
>>> We're all connected.

00:26:36.560 --> 00:26:37.962 line:78%
Thank you so much, both of you.

00:26:37.995 --> 00:26:40.065 align:start position:0% line:83%
I appreciate so much
you taking the time.

00:26:41.532 --> 00:26:45.537 line:78%
♪ [Closing Music] ♪