Two local events that focus on environmental justice this Earth Day

Every Earth Day clean up is important and worthwhile - but may I suggest that the Port of Providence and Morley Field events center environmental justice and deserve special attention?

Morley Field is the only greenspace in Pawtucket's Woodlawn neighborhood. The Woodlawn neighborhood (which is just north of Providence, along I-95, west of Pawtucket Avenue) is approximately 74% people of color, 59% people living at or below the poverty rate, and 29% are children. Woodlawn is a working-class neighborhood where most people live in triple-deckers or multifamily units, often with no backyard. Since the 1970s, families in Woodlawn have used Morley Field for little league games, Pop Warner football, picnics, and reunions, and as a place to relax and breathe. For the families who live in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Pawtucket, Morley Field is an invaluable green space and escape from the densely populated corner of the city. Morley Field is also a rare public access point to the Moshassuck River and home to nesting osprey protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The Administration of Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien has been actively working to pave Morley Field to build a parking lot. The Administration has put up fencing to prevent people from using the field and has failed to do any upkeep on the field for years. Tomorrow, advocates are having a clean-up, and a strong community showing is important.

Then, on Monday, there will be a protest outside Rhode Island Recycled Metals in the Port of Providence. This facility is unlicensed and has not paid the fines levied against it. A week ago the facility caught fire, spewing toxic fumes into the Washington Park and South Providence neighborhoods around the Port.

“This stretch along Allens Avenue is ranked in the 99th percentile compared to every other part of the country. So it is the top 1%. It is the worst of the worst compared to every other major environmental justice crisis around the country,” noted Julien Drix, who chairs the Providence Sustainability Commission.

This company is among the worst offenders in a part of the city filled with polluting industries that have no place in our neighborhoods. Consider adding your voice.