Friday, December 11, 2015

YOU'RE INVITED! Take action next Tuesday Dec 15th to Stop the Incinerator!


YOU'RE INVITED! Take action next Tuesday Dec 15th to Stop the Incinerator!

   The United Workers hope you can attend an action on Tues., Dec. 15t to follow through on the demand of 1000's of Marylanders for the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to do their job and enforce the law. As of this moment, MDE has not taken action and the need for us to take action is clearer than ever. If you haven't already, please register for the event now. http://www.unitedworkers.org/maryland_department_of_the_environment_enforce_the_law?utm_campaign=mde_dec_5th_4&utm_medium=email&utm_source=unitedworkers

People from all across Maryland and beyond have been a part of the effort to stop the incinerator and to replace it with positive alternatives. We have been inspired by our friends in Frederick, MD who after many years of struggle managed to stop a proposed incinerator. Like us here in Baltimore, residents in Frederick are also leading the effort to bring about positive alternatives like a resource recovery park. We are pleased to share this recent article by Veroncia Poklemba of Frederick on the connections between our struggles and the need to recognize that in order to build power we need to collaborate across divisions. 

We call upon our friends from outside of Baltimore to recognize the action next Tuesday December 15th as one of those moments for all of us to come together to find a common cause in our call for justice and for the basic recognition that our public institutions must be accountable to us. MDE's mission is incredibly important - to protect the health and environment for ALL Marylanders. Next Tuesday's action is about making it clear to MDE that it's time for them to do their job. 

Now, on to the wonderful piece from our friends in Frederick: 

Baltimore incinerator could affect Frederick County

• Veronica Poklemba, Ijamsville - Dec 5, 2015

    Here in Frederick we are sometimes out of the loop regarding things happening in other parts of Maryland. But there is an important issue in Baltimore right now that warrants our action. The largest trash incinerator in the nation is slated to begin construction in Baltimore in 2016. Trash incinerators actually pollute more than fossil fuel plants; pollutants include dioxin, mercury, nitrogen oxide, lead and carbon dioxide. The air quality in Baltimore is already among the worst in the country, with 20 percent of Baltimore children having asthma, twice the national average. Poor air quality adds to the problems of people with respiratory conditions overall, including asthma.

    Many of us work in Baltimore, have children attending college in Baltimore, or other family and friends living there. Some of us like to spend an occasional day at the Inner Harbor or in Little Italy. These are all reasons to pay attention to this issue. In addition, the pollutants that emit from the smokestack of that incinerator will not just sit over Baltimore. Air quality will be affected throughout the state.

    The Maryland Department of the Environment has the option of canceling the permits for the incinerator, which would end this project right now. The reason they can do this is that the construction schedule outlined in the permits has not been followed. It is not clear why MDE is not taking this action, since it is their goal to protect health. Baltimore city and 22 other public entities have all withdrawn support for this incinerator. With time, all have realized there will be too many negative effects if this project is completed. As a result, 4,000 tons of trash will be imported into the city daily if the project proceeds, resulting in an increase in dump trucks on the roads surrounding Baltimore. Another hazard for us all.
You can contribute to stopping this incinerator by contacting the Maryland Department of the Environment at this time. Contact by phone, letter or email and tell the MDE to cancel the permits for the trash incinerator in Baltimore. The community group that has been working to stop this incinerator will be gathering at MDE on Dec. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. to once again request that the permits be canceled. I’m sure all would be welcome.

Veronica Poklemba
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RSVP for Tuesday Dec 15th online: http://www.unitedworkers.org/events

When: Tuesday December 15th 4 - 6 pm
Where: MDE headquarters within the Montgomery Park Building - 1800 Washington Blvd, Baltimore MD 21230 
What: A chance for everyone who has taken a stand on this issue to follow through directly with MDE to make your voice heard

IMPORTANT: Parking is free for those visiting the Montgomery Park building. Simply pull into the lot - let the attendant know that you are visiting MDE and you will be buzzed in. Please use the "red" lot right in front of the building unless redirected to the "blue" lot (see image below). We will have organizers stationed in both lots to direct everyone to the action. 
Email Greg Sawtell greggalen@gmail.com with any questions related to Dec 15th!

United Workers
Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218.  Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs

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