In this episode, hosts James Hayes and Sarah Rodenberg talk about what’s good in East Palestine with Timothea Deeter, an environmental organizer and resident of East Palestine.
On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern ‘bomb train’ carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, causing an unprecedented environmental crisis along the Ohio River.
The toxic wastewater and chemical dirt was dumped in Heritage Thermal, an incinerator in East Liverpool, which is a primarily BIPOC town. You can read about a past lawsuit against Heritage Thermal here.
Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown, JD Vance, and a handful of other Senators proposed the Railroad Safety Act in response to East Palestine.
BlackRock is the second largest shareholder in Norfolk Southern. On January 23, a BlackRock representative was the keynote speaker at the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Sustainability Summit. Many organizers walked out and held an alternative teach-in that centered racial equity in local sustainability work.
Timothea was a fellow in the SpadeWork organizing program, which you can read more about here.
If you’re interested in volunteering in East Palestine, feel free to email Timothea Deeter.
What’s good with Policy Matters Ohio?
Policy Matters Ohio is co-sponsoring the virtual happy hour on March 15 at 5pm about the Cuyahoga County prosecutor race. You can register here.
What’s good with Ohio Voice?
Ohio Voice is supporting partners who are canvassing for the March 19 primary. The Ohio Voter Rights Coalition is running the nonpartisan Election Protection program to assist voters at the polls. Call 866-OUR-VOTE if you have voting questions.