BIA, Custodial Deaths & "A Black Hole for Accountability"
Kim FortunThe Bridge: A Black Hole for Accountability
Missing data about deaths in BIA custody raises serious alarm — and emphasizes the many ways our federal government is still failing to protect tribal nations.
“When it comes to the way the federal government interacts with Indigenous communities, accountability is like a black hole,” Maren said. “This instance is not an anomaly.”
CVV now has a large staff
Kim FortunCCV now has a 5-member Board of Directors (including founder, Jose Luis Velez, and a large staff. See details. Includes many community health workers, and a few air monitoring technicians.
Kim Fortun Comite Civico del Valle, Imperial County, CA
Kim FortunCCV originated from the grassroots in 1987 and is now a 501 (c)(3) organization. It was founded and continues to support disadvantaged communities in Imperial County, with a strong emphasis on civic participation. A key principle, which guides all CCV projects is that “ “Informed People Build Healthy Communities.”
CCV’s most well known program is the IVAN community air network.
Kim Fortun: Comite Civico del Valle, Imperial County, CA
Kim FortunCCV originated from the grassroots in 1987 and is now a 501 (c)(3) organization. It was founded and continues to support disadvantaged communities in Imperial County, with a strong emphasis on civic participation. A key principle, which guides all CCV projects is that “ “Informed People Build Healthy Communities.”
CCV now has a 5-member Board of Directors (including founder, Jose Luis Velez, and a large staff. See details. Includes many community health workers, and a few air monitoring technicians.
CCV’s most well known program is the IVAN community air network.
Recently, CCV participated in the Workers’ Rights Outreach Program (“a statewide initiative that brings community-based organizations together with state agencies to promote COVID-19 workplace protections and vaccinations).
Air traffic. hazards (include lead)
Kim FortunSee this recent article about how (piston-engine) airplanes contribute to lead contamination.https://capitalandmain.com/faa-must-move-faster-to-remove-leaded-fuels-from-the-skies
And this article about how airport expansions happen (likely without much downwind input): https://www.ocregister.com/2019/04/30/orange-county-faces-balancing-act-with-john-wayne-airport-plans/
Gardening labor is especially socially vulnerable
Kim FortunCommunity interviews have found that many household have members that are gardeners. Research has shown that garndening labor is especially socially vulnerable and hard to protect through organizing. See: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M5_McMmsbcb_s2Qn17XtnFQ3HBeC2hcfYSBYrqmDB-0/edit?usp=sharing . Also see Sal Zarate's work: https://www.zotero.org/groups/130725/disastersts/collections/ICRQQ8PM
Pesticide hazards in gardening labor
Kim FortunMPNA-GREEN's Community Research Board is conducting community interviews and learned that there are professional gardeners in many households, which likely comes with significant exposre to pesticides, likely brining them home to their families. See, for example, this recent study: https://www.ehn.org/glyphosate-childrens-health-2659484037.html, and there is always worries about endocrine disrupting chemicals in ag work.
Santa Ana, CA asset:
Kim FortunHomeless shelter and support center: https://www.ocregister.com/2022/07/22/motorcycle-club-brings-hope-and-harleys-to-homeless-shelter.
Is this center considered an asset by residents, or -- as in many places -- did they contest its presence in Santa Ana given so many other stresses there?