Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment announced it is co-sponsoring a grassroots environmental action conference that will bring together over 400 activists working to protect their communities’ health and environment.
Organized by Toxics Action Center, this year’s 30th annual Local Environmental Action 2017 connects citizens with the information, skills, and experts to effectively advocate for their communities. This year’s keynote speakers are Kandi Mossett and Lois Gibbs. Kandi has been a powerful indigenous leader as well as an environmental justice hero on the frontlines of the fight to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline, and bring visibility to the impact that injustices have on indigenous groups across North America. Lois Gibbs, founder and executive director of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, has actively played a critical role in the grassroots environmental health movement.
Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment has been active in local environmental initiatives since it’s inception in 1979. Early activities resulted in the formation of the Recycling Committee, the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee, and the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee. They are known for sponsoring the annual Charles River Cleanup and the semiannual Life Friendly Garden Tours, and more recently for ongoing activities protecting bees, and leadership on the local Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance. They are currently exploring the formation of a Climate Action Working Group; anyone interested is invited to attend a meeting to discuss this effort on Sunday, March 12, at 5 p.m. in the Community Room at Coolidge Apartments, 319 Arlington Street.
Toxics Action Center trainings have made a tremendous difference in Watertown Citizen’s efforts. Cosponsoring this conference enables Watertown residents and groups from across New England to collaborate and make our towns and communities stronger, safer, and healthier as a result.
The conference is Sunday, March 5 at Northeastern University in Boston. For more information, visit www.LocalEnvironmentalAction.org