West Harlem Environmental Action
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West Harlem Environmental Action Incorporated
WE ACT History | WE ACT Now | WE ACT Affiliates | WE ACT Office
Introduction...
West Harlem Environmental Action (WE ACT) is unique for an environmental justice organization, as it’s concerned with the environment of and relating to people of color. Serving a mostly African-American and Latino contingency in Northern Manhattan, it is a grassroots non-profit vigorously dedicated to improving environmental quality and justice in its own community and beyond.
WE ACT was created in 1988 through community organizing around the offenses of the North River Sewage Treatment Plant and the construction of a sixth bus depot across from a school and a housing development. Since then it has been involved with local residents and youths, fellow environmentalists, government at every level, and also schools and hospitals. WE ACT endorses and works through research and education, advocacy and mobilization, litigation and legislation, and attempts at sustainable economic developments.
The organization is devoted to educating and mobilizing the predominantly African-American and Latino community of Northern Manhattan on such variegated issues as air and water pollution and toxins, land and space use and historic preservation, water health and sanitation, enforcement and citizen participation in relevant local politics. WE ACT hopes to achieve a more sustainable community through by raising awareness in local citizens and youth, through developing green business, creating community environmental centers, and creating environmentally concerned local networks especially among communities of color. The members of WEACT hold to the Principles of Environmental Justice, a progressive and inspiring declaration made by environmental activists in 1991.
WE ACT constantly hosts community awareness meetings, environmental health related workshops, conferences, fairs, and tons of other ways to get involved at almost any level. They are one of few environmental organizations to stress the involvement of people of color, and have been a force to be reckoned with since they came on the scene. See the contact link to find a convenient way of checking out WE ACT on your own terms.
And definitely be sure to check out West Harlem Environmental Action's webpage