little village environmental justice organization

Water is a human right. Yet as the world's supplies of fresh, drinkable water are quickly being used up, transnational water corporations are attempting to "corner the market" on water, and move this critical resource from public to private hands through privatization schemes. In the US, cities that have privatized their water systems have experienced rate hikes (which have increased by up to 80% in some places), job cuts, service problems, and less public control over what happens to local water sources. Water is a part of the Commons; it belongs to everyone, and should not be sold off to private companies to make a profit. As more and more aspects of society are privatized – schools, energy, public space – we the people lose control, the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. Water is one resource that we can’t afford to lose! This workshop will be a space for communities who are fighting water privatization and bottled water companies to come together and share stories and strategies for keeping our water in public hands.

As one of the most densely populated Mexican American Communities in the Midwest, La Villita or Little Village, has not had a new park built in over 75 years. For the past 11 years LVEJO—The Little Village Environmental Justice Organization—has worked with residents affected by issues of flooding homes, rashes and cancer causing chemicals. These problems are connected to a nearby abandoned 23 acre toxic site known as Celotex. Currently LVEJO is working with residents on their quest to have Celotex become the home of the new park they deserve. How did this campaign start? What were the victories and losses? More importantly what key steps kept the community engaged in the struggle? The Celotex Volunteers, as they are commonly known, have created a film to answer these questions. Following the film there will be a profound conversation between the volunteers and the audience, we hope to see you there.

Water is a human right. Yet as the world's supplies of fresh, drinkable water are quickly being used up, transnational water corporations are attempting to "corner the market" on water, and move this critical resource from public to private hands through privatization schemes. In the US, cities that have privatized their water systems have experienced rate hikes (which have increased by up to 80% in some places), job cuts, service problems, and less public control over what happens to local water sources. Water is a part of the Commons; it belongs to everyone, and should not be sold off to private companies to make a profit. As more and more aspects of society are privatized – schools, energy, public space – we the people lose control, the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. Water is one resource that we can’t afford to lose! This workshop will be a space for communities who are fighting water privatization and bottled water companies to come together and share stories and strategies for keeping our water in public hands.

As one of the most densely populated Mexican American Communities in the Midwest, La Villita or Little Village, has not had a new park built in over 75 years. For the past 11 years LVEJO—The Little Village Environmental Justice Organization—has worked with residents affected by issues of flooding homes, rashes and cancer causing chemicals. These problems are connected to a nearby abandoned 23 acre toxic site known as Celotex. Currently LVEJO is working with residents on their quest to have Celotex become the home of the new park they deserve. How did this campaign start? What were the victories and losses? More importantly what key steps kept the community engaged in the struggle? The Celotex Volunteers, as they are commonly known, have created a film to answer these questions. Following the film there will be a profound conversation between the volunteers and the audience, we hope to see you there.