ARVIN, CA - Some Arvin community members are seeking justice for two brothers. Three years ago Armando Ramirez died and his brother Eladio two days later. The Ramirez brothers were clearing a pipe at Community Recycling when they were overcome by toxic fumes.
A group called Community for a Better Arvin rallied today across the street from Community Recycling. They call for clean air, "aire limpio."
Community for a Better Arvin president Salvador Partida said, "All the contamination, all the smoke, all the trash, all the flies, go to Arvin."
These protesters want Community Recycling and resources kicked out of town.
Partida said, "We want this company closed, go somewhere else, not here."
The Ramirez brothers' family member Jacqueline Cruz said, "They pollute the air so we want them to take it off for less people could die."
This protest was also to seek justice for two brothers Armando and Eladio Ramirez that lost their lives from hydrogen-sulfide fumes while working at this recycling center in October 2011.
The Ramirez brothers' family member Carolina Cruz said, "Were suffering a lot because both of them died. that's why were out here trying to find justice for what happened."
They want justice and clean air so this doesn't happen again. Three years after the Ramirez brothers deaths they want authorities to know they have not forgotten.
Center of Race, Poverty and Environment community organizer Gustavo Aguirre said, "Nothing has happened yet. so we are here protesting the lack of action because we want the authorities to know that the community is still waiting for justice."
The fight will continue despite the decision made earlier this month by the district attorney's office, dropping criminal charges against Community Recycling.
On October 3, 2014, Supervising District Attorney Greg Pulskamp said, " We feel that the evidence was insufficient for us to prove that beyond a reasonable doubt what we are required to prove under the law. So, for that reason, we really have no option other than to decline to pursue it."
The Center of Race, Poverty and Environment released a 14 page document called the "Rotten Neighbor," giving an analysis on the affects of Community Recycling on the community.
Aguirre said, "Its an overview of a community project that we have been doing over the years, its monitoring the air. How polluted is the air that this company is sending to our communities."
We contacted Community Recycling and its lawyers about the protests and have not heard back.
A group called Community for a Better Arvin rallied today across the street from Community Recycling. They call for clean air, "aire limpio."
Community for a Better Arvin president Salvador Partida said, "All the contamination, all the smoke, all the trash, all the flies, go to Arvin."
These protesters want Community Recycling and resources kicked out of town.
Partida said, "We want this company closed, go somewhere else, not here."
The Ramirez brothers' family member Jacqueline Cruz said, "They pollute the air so we want them to take it off for less people could die."
This protest was also to seek justice for two brothers Armando and Eladio Ramirez that lost their lives from hydrogen-sulfide fumes while working at this recycling center in October 2011.
The Ramirez brothers' family member Carolina Cruz said, "Were suffering a lot because both of them died. that's why were out here trying to find justice for what happened."
They want justice and clean air so this doesn't happen again. Three years after the Ramirez brothers deaths they want authorities to know they have not forgotten.
Center of Race, Poverty and Environment community organizer Gustavo Aguirre said, "Nothing has happened yet. so we are here protesting the lack of action because we want the authorities to know that the community is still waiting for justice."
The fight will continue despite the decision made earlier this month by the district attorney's office, dropping criminal charges against Community Recycling.
On October 3, 2014, Supervising District Attorney Greg Pulskamp said, " We feel that the evidence was insufficient for us to prove that beyond a reasonable doubt what we are required to prove under the law. So, for that reason, we really have no option other than to decline to pursue it."
The Center of Race, Poverty and Environment released a 14 page document called the "Rotten Neighbor," giving an analysis on the affects of Community Recycling on the community.
Aguirre said, "Its an overview of a community project that we have been doing over the years, its monitoring the air. How polluted is the air that this company is sending to our communities."
We contacted Community Recycling and its lawyers about the protests and have not heard back.
