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Arizona Rural Organizers
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Urban Allies Unite
Inside Climate News (ICM), a Pulitzer Prize-winning, non-partisan climate news organization, reports that Arizona rural grassroots organizers and their urban allies such as the No Desert Data Center Coalition, Corona de Tucson, and Moms Clean Air Force are uniting to take on industrial developers and the public officials who support them.
The ICM October 8th article delves into those efforts and provides critical information on how affected communities opposing major industrial expansion such as the proposed Benson aluminum recycling plant, Pima County’s Project Blue data center and the Santa Rita mountains open pit mine, are banding together to support each other, educate the public, and challenge officials elected to support, protect and represent its constituents instead of following the will of outside industries.
The ICM article tells how residents are frustrated with the lack of transparency about proposed developments and the lawsuit filed by Health Over Wealth Benson against Aluminum Dynamics and members of Benson’s Planning and Zoning Commission for what they claim was an illegally granted conditional use permit alleging the Planning and Zoning Commission failed to follow proper procedures under Arizona state law.
The Living Desert Alliance supports these coordinated efforts, and the committed organizations and individuals behind them. The public has the right to have their voices heard and a responsibility to hold industries and elected officials accountable. It is especially necessary considering the recent rhetoric voiced by Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy who, after listening to numerous impassioned pleas from the public asking the Santa Rita Mountains Copper World open pit mine be halted, and in the only dissenting vote rejecting a resolution reaffirming the boards opposition to the mine, said, “Projects like these are not stoppable, … (opposition to them) don’t mean anything, … The mine will open; it can’t be stopped.” (Fast forward to 2:51:15 to hear his remarks).
Let’s remind Supervisor Christy that the Rosemont Mine was stopped by similar actions and public outcry. So, don’t count public opposition out just yet!
Want to help?
Click on any of the green links above to learn more about how you can help these dedicated organizations and like-minded volunteers who are working to Keep our Desert and Community Livable and Thriving.
Photo courtesy of ICM and Ashlyn Bloom
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