Group claims environmental racism

[Nia Imani]

Group claims environmental racism

By Patricia Lynch Kimbro
Staff Writer


Charlotte— Handmade signs with sayings such as “toxic chemicals know no color” and “poisoned water affects all” were held by people attending a rally Monday morning to bring attention to the contaminated water problems near the Dickson County Landfill.

The Missionary Baptist State Convention of Tennessee held the press conference on the lawn of the Dickson County Courthouse to bring an end to what they call “environmental racism.”

They claim many minority residents in the county were exposed to alleged dumping of toxic waste years ago on Eno Road. A former automotive plant allegedly buried barrels of industrial waste in the landfill from the 1960s to 1980s.

The barrels contained trichloroethylene, or TCE. The solvent is suspected of causing heart and nervous system damage, birth defects and cancer.

Pastor Jerry Jerkins coordinated the rally, which attracted about 60 black, white and Native Americans. They hope to gain the attention of local, state and federal officials.

Jerkins said the alleged toxic dumping was ethnically oriented and “since it happened no one in the government has wanted to get involved.”

“We call upon the citizens of Dickson County and upon the elected leadership of city and county government to get involved. You were not involved in the decision to allow this to happen 40 years ago, but it is before you now,” he said.

“You have the moral and legal responsibility, according to the power of your elected office, to assist these citizens whose property and quality of life has already been affected and to protect future generations from sickness, pain and death. That is a tragic reality today,” Jerkins said.

Several residents in the affected area have developed cancer and birth defects. They claim their medical conditions were caused by the water contamination.

Dickson County Mayor Linda Frazier denies the group’s claims and has said all families were notified of the toxic dumping when it was discovered years ago.

“Dickson County is actively working with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Dickson County is completing a water line extension project, which will allow citizens to have access to a safe water supply. Dickson County continues to monitor wells and springs in the area as required. Dickson County will continue to work with the state officials in whatever we need to do,” Frazier said Monday.

The Dickson County chapter of the NAACP held a rally in August in Charlotte to bring attention to the issue.

Jerkins said his group will hold another rally on Dec. 6 in front of the Courthouse Annex in Charlotte.

Source: www.tennessean.com | Nashville MICRO0304apps | The Tennessean