Earlier this month, a 149-car freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in the small town of East Palestine, Ohio spilling over 100,000 gallons of dangerous chemicals.1
In an attempt by authorities to prevent an explosion at the derailment site, the chemicals were later burned — sending a huge plume of toxic black smoke over East Palestine.2
In the two weeks since the accident, residents have reported headaches, dizziness, nausea, and bloody noses and fear the long-term effects on their families and children.3 Our movement is not standing on the sidelines — we must come together to provide mutual aid support to the East Palestine community. We’ve identified three organizations providing direct assistance and relief to families in Ohio affected by the toxic derailment.
The Way Station is a community resource for families and individuals in need. They have responded to the crisis in East Palestine by providing food, clothing, water, hygiene products, diapers, cleaning supplies and gift cards to those in need.
The Brightside Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Columbiana County that normally focuses its efforts on low-income and underserved families. Since the East Palestine train derailment, the organization has shifted gears to focus on the families and children directly affected by the train derailment.
River Valley Organizing is a multi-racial, multicultural, working class organization that radically builds community throughout the Ohio River Valley. They perform desperately-needed service work and organize the political power of everyday people, centering the leadership of the most affected community members. Currently they are focused on organizing the residents of East Palestine to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for the derailment.
Residents have also reported losing pets to sudden illness. And as many as 45,000 animals — mainly fish, have reportedly died as a result of the spill.2
We won’t know the full health or environmental toll of this accident for years, perhaps decades. But we do know that the residents of East Palestine, Ohio need support now.
Make no mistake, this accident is the direct result of deregulation under the Trump administration and poor safety standards. Labor unions have been sounding the alarm that making major cuts to the railroad workforce, increasing train lengths, and reducing inspection times have made trains less safe.4
Alexandria will continue to keep up the pressure on corporate CEOs and private firms like Norfolk Southern to do what is needed to bring our rail system into the 21st century.
Thank you for your attention and support,
Team AOC
1 - NBC News
2 - BBC
3 - CNN
4 - USA Today
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