An Act to Re-affirm NAACP Resolutions Previously adopted on Environmental Racism in 1996, 2000 & 2001 and, to Further Oppose the Planning and Location of Level-4 Bio-Safety Laboratories and Hazardous Facilities Designated for Densely Populated Areas

WHEREAS, the NAACP and its units have been vigilant in their efforts to protect its citizens from the risks of classified and dangerous hazardous facilities being located in predominantly poor and minority communities; and

WHEREAS, these problems continue due to the failure of public officials to enforce existing regulations, and the inequitable implementation or enforcement of local zoning regulations; and

WHEREAS, locally elected officials and zoning boards have not been responsive to petitions by local citizens, or to the presentation of documentation of hazardous conditions as it relates to planning and building hazardous facilities, such as dangerous Level-4 Bio-Safety laboratory that may be involved in research on incurable diseases such as Ebola and other hemorrhagic fevers and/or secret, bi-weapons research; and

WHEREAS, the dangers involved in the Level-4 Bio-Safety laboratories can disastrously affect residents in the immediate area, as well as other residents in surrounding cities and towns through the accidental release of deadly, air-borne substances, contact with infected laboratory workers who reside in our communities, or the risks involved with laboratories becoming the targets of terrorist attacks;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP re-affirm its policies on Environmental Justice and Environmental Racism of 1993, 1996, 2000 & 2001; and

THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls upon its state and local units to work with local community organizations and citizens to prevent Level-4 Bio-Safety Laboratories and hazardous facilities from being located in densely populated areas; and, to advocate that their elected officials on the national, state and local levels file and enact legislation that prohibits the planning and location of Level-4 Bio-Safety Laboratories and hazardous facilities in urban and other densely populated areas.