Community Demands Action to Halt Toxic Development in Lincoln Heights As Dec. 2 Deadline Looms
Dozens of Lincoln Heights residents, parents, and local leaders rallied at Hillside Elementary to oppose the construction of a hazardous trucking depot near the school and homes. The press conference drew widespread attention to a looming December 2 deadline and the severe risks posed by the project.
A truck depot on a 2.6-acre contaminated brownfield, that threatens the health and safety of children and residents with diesel emissions, traffic congestion, and airborne pollutants and would exacerbate pollution in a low-income community with decades of improper waste disposal. If the developer’s permit is approved by Dec. 2, the project can proceed without environmental review or public appeal. If not, the developer must reapply.
Michael Henry Hayden, of the Lincoln Heights Community Coalition, emphasized, “Underground toxins from past spills are threatening my home. We must uncover their impact and stop any new development that endangers our neighborhood by exacerbating the existing pollution.”
The rally was a powerful display of community unity, with families, children, and residents holding handmade signs bearing messages such as, “Protect Our Children, Not Polluters” and “For The Air We Breathe.”
Sharnay Tyars, a concerned Hillside Elementary parent, said, “This is my son’s school, and the health of all our children, including future residents of the new apartment buildings, is at stake. Do the right thing and end this horrifying practice of dumping toxic pollutants in Avenue 35.”
The rally drew strong support from local elected officials who stood alongside residents, amplifying the community’s demands for environmental justice. LA City Council Member Eunisses Hernandez and LAUSD Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas delivered impassioned speeches, denouncing the proposed trucking depot and calling for immediate action to prioritize public health.
Dr. Rivas emphasized the responsibility of leaders to safeguard schools and neighborhoods, stating, “We must protect the students and families who call this community home. Projects like these are unacceptable near our schools—they endanger lives and erode trust.”
Highland Park Neighborhood Council At-Large Director Angela Gonzales-Torres emphasized their determination: “We are here to protect our families and our future. Our voices will not be ignored, and we won’t stop until this dangerous project is stopped.”
The community is united in its demand for action to protect public health and reject projects that exacerbate environmental inequities.
To join the fight or learn more, contact @SaveAvenue34.
