In response to the ongoing mismanaged lead crisis in East Chicago and the Trump administration’s cuts to the EPA and environmental justice programs, NAACP Indiana, in partnership with Indiana State University and the Union of Concerned Scientists, kicks off Our Community Scientists initiative with a series of student and community lead testing trainings the week of Oct. 9.
The Trump administration defunded EPA programs that test air and water quality in places like East Chicago. The agency also recently moved the Office of Environmental Justice internally to be closer to control of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt — a move advocates say is an attempt to “politicize” the office’s work. It is becoming increasingly clear that communities like East Chicago will need to fight to protect their communities themselves. Their government cannot be trusted.
Our Community Scientists helps community members rely less on political leaders who have failed them and more on each other. The initiative consists of free trainings, organized by the NAACP Indiana State Conference, and will teach community members how to conduct tests of water, soil and air. People will be able to have their dust samples (to test for air quality), soil and water tested on-site. The trainings will show how one community is standing up for justice and is taking steps to protect their families.
