Protest Action in Richmond, CA

Richmond Residents Fed Up:
Lack of Action on Toxic Site Spurs Protest

WHAT:“Wake Up Call” Protest Rally at Zeneca Site

WHEN: 7-8 a.m., Friday, April 29, 2005

WHERE:UC Berkeley Field Station and
Zeneca/Cherokee-Simeon site
Meade and South 47th Street, Richmond

WHO: Action Co-sponsors include: Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA), the West County Toxics Coalition (WCTC), Bay Area Residents for Responsible Development (BARRD), The Sierra Club, Mothers Against Threatening Toxic Emissions in Richmond (MATTER) & West Contra Costa-Alameda Chapter of the National Autism Association

It has been two months since the Richmond City Council passed a unanimous resolution (March 1, 2005) asking Cal EPA to provide better environmental oversight of the toxic Zeneca site in south Richmond. Residents are frustrated with bureaucratic stagnation and lack of response. The “Wake Up Call” is a public demand for action by Cal EPA. Speakers will include area doctors, elected officials, and community leaders.

"We've waited for too many years and seen too many people seriously ill to be told once again to be patient," said Sherry Padgett, a spokesperson for Bay Area Residents for Responsible Development (BAARD).