Latina Day of Action! Close the Reid-Hillview Airport now!

2255 Ocala Avenue,San Jose CA 95122

07 August, 2021

Description

Join us for a cafecito, a day of action, and a amazing series of Latina guest speakers all advocating for creating healthier environments! Our community deserves to be healthy and have access to education, economic mobility, public transportation, high-quality green spaces, shelter, and clean air. The Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley and the Close Reid-Hillview Now! Coalition, a grassroots community organization representing families in East San José invite you to a community-led canvassing event and a petition signing party to raise awareness about the environmental racism taking place at Reid Hillview Airport. We are advocating for immediate airport closure and a community-centered vision for how the land will get repurposed. East San José has been historically under-resourced, redlined, and denied equitable access to educational and economic opportunities. Due to systemic negligence, residents currently face ongoing gentrification, a housing crisis, and higher rates of COVID, pollution, and poverty. The airport does not currently provide any economic or recreational benefit to the community, and the land would be better utilized in other ways. RHA is surrounded by at least 16 schools, theme parks, and hundreds of families of color that live and work within one kilometer of the site. Studies have shown that children in East San José have higher levels of lead in their blood than children in other parts of the country. Lead exposure can cause cognitive development problems and increase the risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In adults, lead exposure can result in the decreased functioning of cardiovascular, kidney, central nervous and immune systems. Families should not have to fear their exposure to toxic chemicals while in their own communities. Bring your friends, familia and comunidad to help us advocate for the communities we deserve! Join us in welcoming our wonderful speakers; Supervisor Cindy Chavez Former Supervisor Blanca Alvarado Maricela Lechuga, Airport Commissioner for Santa Clara County & Tenants Rights Advocate for the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley Gabby Chavez Lopez, President of the Latina Coaliton of Silcon Valley & Communications and Membership Manager at SV@Home The Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley (LCSV) develops and strengthens the power of Latinas to advance our collective success through sisterhood, leadership, and civic engagement.