Environmental Racism

Re-affirming 1996 Policy on Environmental Justice

WHEREAS, minorities tend to have the highest percentage of deaths resulting from pollution and environmental hazards; and

WHEREAS, minorities due to economic facts disproportionately live in areas where sources of pollution, toxic dumps and other hazards abound; and

WHEREAS, the resources of the Superfund are not being equitably used to identify and ameliorate hazardous conditions in minority and poor areas;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP shall call upon elected officials to equitably enforce existing legislation and regulations to carry out the Clean Air and Water Acts, and the identification and cleanup of environmentally hazardous conditions; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP oppose legislation to cut funds for environmental protection, and work to assist minority communities to be aware of and obtain all relief available under existing laws.