LVEJO's Michael Pitula Speaks on Race with TRPT Allies

In late September, we continued our work to promote TRPT demands at the
Facing Race conference (http://www.arc.org/content/blogcategory/63/203/). Our organizer, Michael Pitula co-presented on transit, race and the environment, alongside Anita Hairston from Policy Link and Metric Giles II from St. Paul's Community Stabilization Project. Pitula also connected with organizers from Opal's Bus Riders Unite! Campaign in Portland, Oregon (http://www.opalpdx.org/bus-riders-unite/), also members of the Transit Riders for Public Transportation. More workshops on transit and environmental justice will be organized in the months to come.

Little Village Environmental Justice Organization puts on Chicago Clean Air and Water Show to highlight critical EJ issues

Little Village Environmental Justice Organization has had a busy fall. We marked the passing from summer to fall with the Chicago Clean Air & Water Show. This event tied together our work around climate, energy and water, mass transit, open space and urban agriculture. It showcased community-based solutions for more just and sustainable ways of living. The day began with a 50-person rally at the Crawford coal-fired power plant.

Thirty bike riders embarked from there on a ride of the proposed 31st Street Bus Route - a route for which transit operations funding is needed. We visited key sites along the route such as the proposed new 24-acre park site at Celotex, the South Branch of the Chicago River, young organic farmers from Growing Power, and the 31st Street Beach. At the beach, 100 people took part in street theater, art, games, speakers, and Native American ceremony to educate folks around EJ issues, including the need for transit operating support and civil rights in the upcoming authorization.