Young Activists Organizing As Todays Leaders [ Y.A.O.T.L]

Little Village Environmental
Justice Organization

WHAT WE DO:
We meet twice a week (Wednesdays 5:30-7:30 and Fridays 5:30-7:30) we work together on issues ranging from fighting for cleaner air & space to immigration rights but also do fun artistic stuff like paint a mural and produce our own newsletter, El Cilantro.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
• GAIN LEADERSHIP SKILLS
• BE AN ACTIVIST
• FULFILL SERVICE EARNING
REQUIREMENTS
• LEARN ABOUT EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
• BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
• ONE-ON -ONE HELP WITH COLLEGE APPLICATIONS & SCHOLARSHIPS

WANT TO JOIN OR KNOW MORE INFO? STOP BY OUR OFFICE GIVE US A CALL SHOOT US AN EMAIL ...WHERE ARE WE?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

HERE WE ARE
HAVING FUN!!!!!

Sharing a nutritious meal during a break.

Meetings make us hungry!!!!

2856 S. MILLARD AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60623-4550
CONTACT US:
PHONE: 773-762-6991
EMAIL: YOUTH@LVEJO.ORG
FAX: 773-762-6993

Crawford Coal Power Plant
• Has been in the Little Village community for 83 years
• Generates 524 net megawatts
• Enough to meet the needs of 38,000 households
• Make over $32 million in profits per day
• Made $14 Billion in 2006
• Energy sold out of State

Environmental and Health Effects
Contributes to pollution:
-SOx and NOx = Green house
emissions, acid rain and global warming

Mercury and Lead Cause:
41 Premature deaths Annually
2800 Asthma Attacks
550 Emergency Room Visits

* Every 8.9 days a person dies prematurely* due to
Crawford & Fisk

The Adventures of
Larry Flinn and Richard Mandel

LVEJO LVEJO LVEJO LVEJO

HOW TO WRITE A POLITICAL POEM....
However it begins, it's gotta be loud and then it's gotta get a little bit louder. Because this is how you write a political poem and how you deliver it with power. Mix current events with platitudes of empowerment. Wrap up in rhyme or rhyme it up in rap until it
sounds true.

Glare until it sinks in.

Because somewhere in Florida, votes are still being counted.
I said somewhere in Florida, votes are still being counted!
See, that's the Hook, and you gotta' have a Hook.
More than the look, it's the hook that is the most
important part.

The hook has to hit and the hook's gotta fit. Hook's gotta hit hard in the heart. Because somewhere in Florida, votes are still being
counted.

And Dick Cheney is peeing all over himself in
spasmodic delight. Make fun of politicians, it's easy, especially with
Republicans like Rudy Giuliani, Colin Powell, and . . . Al Gore.

Create fatuous juxtapositions of personalities and political philosophies as if communism were the opposite of democracy, as if we needed Darth Vader, not Ralph Nader.

Peep this: When I say "Call," you all say, "Response."

Call! Response! Call! Response! Call! Amazing Grace, how sweet the—

Stop in the middle of a song that everyone knows and loves. This will give your poem a sense of urgency. Because there is always a sense of urgency in a political poem. There is no time to waste! Corruption doesn't have a curfew, greed doesn't care what color you are and the New York City Police Department is filled with people who wear guns on their hips and carry metal badges pinned over their hearts. Injustice isn't injustice it's just in us as we are just in ice. That's the only alienation of this alien nation in which you either fight for freedom or else you are free and dumb!

And even as I say this somewhere in Florida, votes are still being counted. And it makes me wanna beat box!

Because I have seen the disintegration of gentrification and can speak with I've seen D. W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation but preferred 101 Dalmations. Like a cross examination, I will give you the explanation of why SlamNation is the ultimate manifestation of poetic masturbation and egotistical ejaculation. And maybe they are still counting votes somewhere in Florida, but by the time you get to the end of the poem it won't matter anymore. Because all you have to do is close your eyes, lower your voice, and end by saying:

the same line three times,
the same line three times,
the same line three times.
-taylor mali

Bienvenido a la Edición de Septiembre de El
Cilantro. Les quisiera dar las gracias por tomar el tiempo y leer esta publicación por jóvenes para jóvenes. El Cilantro fue creado por tres
jóvenes de LVEJO que creen en un ambiente saludable y quieren trabajar para ser una diferencia. Desde que empiezo El Cilantro ha cubrido muchos asuntos y temas y hemos tenido diferentes escritores y artistas. Ahora queremos empezar una nueva etapa en el periódico que le dará la oportunidad a nuestro público para compartir sus ideas y pensamientos
sobre nuestros artículos. Hemos incluido guías de sugerencia de como
escribir sus cartas y esperamos que tomen esta oportunidad para compartir con el público.
Gracias,
El Jardinero (a)

¿Tiene sentimientos fuertes sobre algo que leo?
Escriba una Carta al Jardinero (a) o si es comentario al escritor.
Las cartas existen para proveer un foro público de comentario y
debate. Un carta al jardinero es para expresar su opinión o punto
de vista.
GUIAS PARA CARTAS AL JARDINERO:
Sea punctual; Escriba su carta entre la edicion publicada Carta puede ser anonimo o incuyer su información: nombre, ciudad, estado, numero de telefono Sea claro: Haga un punto mayor.
Sea conciso: 1- 3 parafos, 3-8 fraces, 40-100 palabras. Cartas cortas
inceñían confianza en tu pocision.
Sea interesante: Agarra la atención de tu publico y mantén la hasta
el fin de la carta. Habré con un hecho interesante o punto fuerte y
mantén tus puntos lo mas interesante posible.
Revisar: Revisa tu carta. Fíjate en errores de gramática y deletreo.
Si es posibles, pregúntale a otra persona que lea tu carta para claridad
y certeza.
No te preocupes si tu carta no es publicada. Si esta bien escrita es
posible que no la publicamos si es sobre el mismo tema que ya fue
publicado.

Welcome to the September Issue of El Cilantro.
I want to thank you for taking the time to read this
publication for youth by youth. El Cilantro was
born from three of LVEJO youth interns who felt
strongly about our environment and how we can help make a difference. Since it began El Cilantro has covered many issues and topics and had different guest writers and contributing artist. We would like to know begin a new segment in the life of this newspaper to allow our readers an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas about our articles. We have enclosed some suggested guidelines for writing your letters and hope that you will take this opportunity to share with your fellow readers.
Thank you,
The Gardener

Have a strong feeling about something you read?
Write a letter to the gardener or (if a commentary) contact the writer.
Letters exist to provide a forum for public comment or debate.
A letter to the gardener is meant to express your opinion or point of
view.
GUIDELINES FOR LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Be timely: Write your letter within an issue of the article’s date.
Letter can be anonymous or include contact information: name,
city, state, phone #.
Be clear: Make one main point.
Be concise: 1- 3 paragraphs, 3-8 sentences, 40-100 words.
Short letters show confidence in your position.
Be interesting: Get your reader’s attention and keep it to the
end of your letter. Open with an interesting fact or strong
statement and keep your points as interesting as possible.
Proofread: Re-read your letter. Check for grammar and spelling
mistakes. If possible, ask another person to read your letter for
accuracy and clarity.
Don’t worry if your letter is not printed: If it is well-written it
might not be printed if it addresses the same issue as letters already
printed.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLAINTS

The Department of Environment's inspectors respond to a variety of citizen complaints. Typically, environmental violations include odors, noise, air emissions, toxic or hazardous materials, junkyards and illegal dumping.
If you become aware of any of these activities, please call the Environment Complaint Line at (312) 744-7672

Before you call... ask yourself...
What happened? Be prepared to describe the offense in as much detail as you can. If dumping is involved, can you describe the vehicles or the people?
Could you see a license plate?
Where did it happen? It is always helpful to know where the violation is
occurring. If you don't know the exact address, the cross streets are very
important.
When did it happen? Timely reporting is critical. Please call us as soon as possible after you observe violations.
Please don't touch anything! When you call, you have done your part. The materials or emissions you're reporting could be toxic or harmful. Let our professional inspectors handle the matter.

You can remain anonymous. We ask you for your name and phone number so that we can follow-up with you and let you know how the incident was resolved. We will never reveal your name to anyone. However, you are not required to give us your name if you don't feel comfortable doing so.

After Calling the Department of Environment…
Please call the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
(LVEJO) at (773) 762-6991

Please call Alderman Muñoz’s Office at (773) 762 -7771

Quejas Ambientales

El inspector de el departamento de ambiente responde a una variedad de quejas civiles. Tipicamente, Violaciones ambientales incluyen olores, ruidos, contaminacion del aire, materiales dañinos ó toxicos, Junkyards y decechar de productos toxicos illigalmente. Si usted se da cuenta de alguna de estas actividades, por favor llame al a linea de quejas ambientales al (312) 744-7672.

Antes de Llamar….. Si tiene que pregunta
¿Que Paso? Debe de estar preparado para des cribir la ofensa con gran detalle. Si estan desechando, ¿puede usted describir los vehiculos o la gente?
¿Si usted pudo ver las placas del vehiculo?
¿Dónde paso? Siempre importante saber donde la violacion esta occuriendo. Si usted no sabe la direccion exacta, las intersectiones son muy importantes tambien.
¿ Cuando paso? Es muy importante saber cuando paso, la fecha, y la hora del dia. Por favor llamenos lo mas pronto posible despues que usted haiga visto las violaciones
¡Por favor de tocar nada! Cuando usted llama, usted ya esta comperando. Los materiales o emiciones que usted esta reportando pueden ser toxico o dañinos. Deje que nuestros inpectores profecionales se encarguen de la situacion.

Cuando usted llame puede permanecer anonimo. Nosotros preguntamos por su nombre y su direction para que nosotros
pudamos contiunar y dejarle saber como se resolvio el incidente. Nosotros nunca le dararemos su nombre a nadien. Usted no es requerido a darnos su nombre si usted no se siente comodo haciendolo.

Despues de llamar al Departamento de Ambiente.
Llame a la Organización de Justicia Ambiental de la Villita al
(LVEJO) (773) 762- 6991

Llame a la Oficina del Concejal Muñoz al (773) 762 -7771

DON'T ENLIST!- THINGS THE ARMY DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW

• Do you think you'll get money if you enlist? 65% of recruits who pay the required GI Bill Money (1200) are never given any money back.
• Only 15% people get to graduate with a degree after the military
• To get the promised 50000 you have to qualify for the Army College
Fund or Navy College fund (only 1 in 20 do)
• People of color make up 35% of enlisters, but only 12% of officers
• 75% of blacks and 67% latinos report being racially discriminated
• 90% of women in the military report being sexually harassed
• Think the government helps you get a job after serving? Over 50000 unemployed vets are on the waiting list for 'retraining'
• 1/3 of homeless people are vets
• Army recruiters are like salesmen, they'll say ANYTHING so that you'll enlist. Many people think that if they enlist, they'll never have to see war, well, Casey Sheehan was told he'd never see war, 5 days later he was killed in Baghdad • Does dropping bombs on innocent men, women, and children sound like fun? Killing weapon-less demonstrators? Darrell
Anderson explained that at checkpoints he was ordered to shoot a speeding car with 2 children, a man, and his wife and he simply couldn't pull the trigger of his M-16. He says "My superior came over and said 'What are you doing?' I said "Look, there's children in the back. It's a family. I did the right thing. It's wrong for me to fire in this situation.' My superior told me: 'No, you did the wrong thing. You will fire next time, or
you will be punished. That's our orders' "
• Think twice before enlisting, or better yet, DONT DO IT! There are other alternatives, whatever your situation might be.

NO DEJE SER RECLUTA DOS! LO QUE EL GOBIERNO NO QUIERE QUE SEPAS

• Crees que el ejercito te va a dar dinero? 65% de las personas reclutadas pagan $1200 y nunca se les regresa
• Nada mas 15% de las personas se graduan con titulo universitario
despues de estar en el ejercito
• Para recibir los 50000 que te promete el ejercito, necesitas calificar
en el Army College Fund o Navy College Fund (Solo 1 en 20 califican)
• 35% del ejercito es gente de color, pero nada mas el 12% llegan a
ser oficiales
• 90% de las mujeres en el ejercito son acosadas sexualmente
• Crees que el gobierno te ayude obtener trabajo despues de la
guerra? Hay mas de 50000 personas sin hogar depues de regresar
a sus casas
• Los reclutantes son como vendedores. Te diran lo que sea para que
te inscribas a el ejercito. Mucha gente cree que nunca van a tener
que pelear por que eso es lo que les dicen sus comandantes. Pues
a Casey Sheehan le dijeron que nunca ive a estar en una batalla, y
murio 5 dias despues en Baghdad
•Te parece divertido matar a hombres, mujeres, y ninos inocentes?
Que tal a un demostrador que ni si quiera tiene armas? Darrell Anderson explica que en un sitio de reviso lo ordenaron a dispara a un
caro con 2 ninos, un hombre y su esposa pero no pudo. Dice "Mi
superior vino y me dijo, 'Que estas haciendo?' y yo dije, 'Mira, hay
ninos atras, es una familia, hice lo corecto.' Mi superior me dijo: 'No,
hiciste lo incorecto. Vas a disparar la proxima vez o vas a ser astigado. Esas son nuestras ordenes.' "
• Piensa doz veces antes de alistarse, o mejor todavia, no lo hagas. Siempre hay una alternativa, sea cual sea tu situacion.

Jose Alfredo Jiménez

Jose Alfredo Jimenez was born in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato Mexico on January 9, 1926. He was the son of Agustine Jimenez Aguilar and Carmen Sandoval. They moved to Mexico City shortly before his father's death in 1936. Since he started singing and composing his own songs at the age of eight, he joined a small group called Los Rebeldes. The group
was what started his singing career. Later on, as young Jimenez started having many girlfriends, he would write songs dedicated to them. Many of those became his greatest hits.

Jose Alfredo Jiménez nació en el Hidalgo de Dolores, Guanajuato México el 9 de Enero del 1926. Él era el hijo de Agustine Jiménez Aguilar y Carmen Sandoval. Movieron a la Ciudad de México poco antes de la muerte de su padre en 1936. Puesto que él comenzó a cantar y a componer sus propias canciones cuando tenia ocho anos, él ensambló a un pequeño grupo llamado Los Rebeldes. De joven,Jiménez comenzó a tener muchas novias, él escribia canciones dedicadas a ellas. Muchas de ésas canciones se convirtieron en sus más grandes hits.

Many of Jose Alfredo's songs were later interpreted by famous artists such as Javier Solis, Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, Vicente Fernandez, La Rondalla de Saltillo, and other artists with similar styles. Although Jimenez was only 47 when he died on November 23, 1973 of Hepatitis, His music will always live in Mexico and Latin America.

Muchas de las canciones de Jose Alfredo fueron interpretadas más adelante por otros artistas famosos tales como Javier Solis, Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, Vicente Fernández, La Rondalla de Saltillo, y otros artistas con estilos similares. Aunque Jiménez tenia solamente 47 anos cuando él murió el 23 de noviembre del 1973 de hepatitis, su música vivirá
siempre en México y America Latina.

Maruchan's container is also dangerous due to the chemical it produces while it is being heated in Microwaves. Dioxinas is a chemical that can produce Cancer and all together Maruchan can produce obesity and from then on it can lead to Diabetes.

I also learned that this soup stays on your system for days provoking "Appendicitis" in some of it's clients. This was something that really concerned me because many of us eat it not knowing the dangers it causes to our health. Now it's only up to us to make the decision of buying it or not.... when we both know what the consequences will be.

Autumn Leaves
by La femme Mystérieuse

You fell in Love with Mother Nature
in Summer's early stage
Never imagined your departure
to be so full of rage

You once showered me in Rain Kisses
you gave my Life Sunlight
all of those things are reminisces
Memories of stars at night

Stole "Photo" from Photosynthesis
Chlorophyll out of sight
Your Sun no longer keeps me Alive
I start to Fall in flight

Gracefully, my Heart dances then shatters
each of My memories
within them, the most beautiful Love Story
turns into Golden crisps

And each Autumn day you walk outside
you will see those pieces that once made up my Heart

From Columbus’ Mouth
“I certify to you that, with the help of God, we shall powerfully enter into your country and shall make war against you in all ways and manners that we can, and shall subject you to the yoke and obedience of the Church and their Highnesses. We shall take you and your wives and your children, and shall makes slaves of them, and as such shall sell and dispose of them as Their Highnesses may command. And we shall take your goods, and shall do you all the mischief and damage that we can, as to vassals who do not obey and refuse to receive their lord and resist
and contradict him.” --- Professor Emeritus Howard Zinn
This is what the Spaniards were required to say when they came into the “New World,” and of course, our ancestors couldn’t respond because of language barriers. This is who he was, so why don’t we learn this at school? Why do we celebrate him?
The March
O.k., so when we got to Buckingham Fountain, it was wonderful to see how many black and latino students where playing instruments and dancing. The bad thing though, was that these students were on the opposite side of the gate, convinced that “Columbus discovered America” a sentence that has been brainwashed into them by ignorant teachers and so, celebrating the genocide of their ancestors, the indigenous people. I just started doing Aztec dance, but when I got there, the energy of the huehuetl was already pulling me towards the circle. Alfredo, another
danzante, was already there but we decided to wait fotrthe rest of our group so that we could all join together. The saumadoras smudged us, and we danced for a while and then we chanted “ You say Columbus Pride, we call it genocide” and “Hey hey, ho ho, Columbus day has got to go.” around the circle. After we had ended, people who had a cargo that day shared words with the rest of the group. One woman brought up the fact that our ancestors lived and died on these lands and prospered way before Columbus had come. She said that our ancestors fought on this land and now for immigration to come in and take us off a land that is rightfully ours is plain stupidity. Another man, Ramon, talked about how we were going to take these lands back, not by force, but simply by number. He said “The revolution is happening in the bedroom.” Hey, that’s true isn’t it?
Alma Montes closed up by saying that in certain places, the celebration of Columbus Day had stopped thanks to indigenous/N.A. resistance. Each year we open peoples eyes to the truth, and I’m sure that in a few years, Columbus Day will be over.

- Xochitl

Digna Ochoa nació el 15 de mayo de 1964 en Misantla, Veracruz. Ella vivió allí hasta que se marchó a estudiar en Jalapa, Veracruz. A través de sus estudios se convirtió en un abogado y activista de derechos humanos. Debido a su trabajo ayudando a los pobres de México, se convirtió en un blanco para los opresores de los que ella ayudó. Muchos intentos de intimidarla fueron hechas por el gobierno mexicano y Empresasarios.

En 1988, ella fue secuestrada y violada por policías estatales. Su caso nunca fue escuchado. También fue secuestrada en agosto de 1999 y en octubre de ese mismo año más tarde. Su vida terminó el 19 de octubre de 2001, cuando fue encontrada muerta en la oficina donde ella trabajaba. Una investigación formal nunca fue llevada a cabo y su muerte fue reglado un suicidio, aunque la evidencia sugiere que su muerte fue un homicidio. Tenía heridas de bala en la cabeza, así como en su muslo. Antes de morir, ella luchó por los derechos
humanos de los trabajadores agrícolas expuestos y de la corrupción en el sistema judicial mexicano. Sus problemas previos con el gobierno, así como la falta de investigación de su muerte lleva a muchos a creer que su muerte fue un homicidio llevado a cabo por o previstas por la policía mexicana.

In 1988, she was kidnapped and raped by state police officers. Her case was never heard. She was also kidnapped in August 1999 and in October later that same year. Her life ended on October 19, 2001 when she was found dead in the office where she worked.

A formal investigation was never carried out and her death was ruled a suicide although evidence suggests her death was a homicide. She had gunshot wounds in her head as well as her thigh. This is not a common occurrence in suicide cases. Before her death she fought for the human rights of farm workers and exposed corruption in the Mexican judicial system. Her previous run-ins with the government as well as the lack of investigation of her death lead many to believe her death was a homicide carried out by or planned by the Mexican police.

What is coal?

Coal is a dark, carbon-rich rock found underground throughout the world. It is a fossil, made up of ancient plants, which, once buried, convert into coal over millions of years. Illinois is a state that has lots of coal below ground. It currently contains about 18% of all the coal in the U.S., ranking it as the #2 coal state in the country.

Does coal affect our wallets and education?

Yes, when an adult in Little Village misses work because of asthma, or stays home to take care of a child stricken with asthma, they lose, on average, $125 a day. When a child misses school because of Asthma, it costs Chicago Public Schools $100 a day.

Who is profiting at your expense?

While coal harms residents of Little Village, Edison International
(owners of the coal plants) raked in
$246 million from the plants in
2006. The CEO of Edison International alone makes $1.2 million a year.

What is produced when coal is used?
When coal is burned, toxins go into the air as gases and particles.
Gases:
• Nitrogen oxides, Sulfur oxides, Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide
Particles:
• Mercury, Arsenic, Soot, Dioxins
How does burning coal affect our health?
The gases emitted from coal are very harmful to the human body. Exposure to these gases can cause asthma, as well as birth defects.
Coal also produces small particles, that when inhaled, enter our lungs and
blood stream, causing asthma attacks, pneumonia, and complications for individuals with diabetes or heart disease.

Mercury can cause brain problems that result in learning disabilities, Arsenic can cause lung and skin cancer, and Dioxins are the strongest chemicals known to cause cancer.

The coal power plants in Chicago were built before the 1970 Clean Air Act, and don’t have to follow its regulations. As a result, these coal plants are among the dirtiest in the nation. A 2001 Harvard School of Public Health Study determined that the two coal burning power plants in Chicago:
• Cause 41 premature deaths annually
• Cause 2,800 asthma attack per year
• Cause 500 emergency room visits annually

Are there other ways to produce energy that is safer and
healthier?

Yes. The coal plants in Little Village and Pilsen employ around 125 people. A recently built wind turbine plant in Champaign, IL created 400 jobs alone.

Replacing the coal power plants with wind, solar, geothermal and energy efficiency campuses would provide Chicago with thousands of new jobs and help the city live up to its reputation as a “green city.”

The Jena 6 was an incident that happened in Jena, Louisiana, where 6 students are going to be trialed as adults for attempt of murder. This all started because an African student sat in the bottom of the wrong tree. The tree belonged to the white people of the school. The next day the white students hung nooses on the tree. They did this to show that they didn’t want any black people on their tree. This led to a race conflict at Jena high school. The students who put the nooses were just suspended for a week. The teachers and dean saw it as a harmless joke.

This lead to African American students to seek revenge. The way the student sought revenge was to jump the white student. Their were six student in total that beat Justin Barker. The beating was not sever enough to stop Justin Barker to attend a school function after getting jumped
by the black student. The African American student were then arrested for the beating of Justin Barker. Mychal Bell was the only member of the 6 black students who was tried, has had his convictions set aside.

Bell was originally charged with attempted murder, but the charges were reduced and he was convicted of aggravated battery and conspiracy. Both convictions were overturned because he should have been tried as a juvenile, not as an adult. . Bell was incarcerated for almost 10 months, before being released on September 27,2007, after bail was posted on his behalf. Bell's retrial is scheduled for December 6, 2007. they jury was also all white and were family of some of the white student who were friends with Justin. I think that the student do not deserve to be convicted at all thing like this happens all the time and people don’t get arrested. The only reason this is happening is because the people in the south are still strong on racism and hate African Americans. If the student that had got their ass whooped were black no one would have cared and life would have just gone on like normal. The only way that racism will die in this country is if people just stopped hating other races. Sometimes I wish that the world was colored blind and everyone saw in white and black. If their was no
hate life would be so much better. The world would stop being greedy and everyone would have enough food to end starvation. People like the jury of the Jena 6 are not ending the hate that has been going on since forever.

THE SHADOW WE LIVE IN

By: B.B.

There are many dangers in our community because of The Crawford coal power plant. Many young ones and adults suffer from asthma and I am one of those many. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 7 years old. I remember all those days I missed school to go to doctor appointments and I wasn’t in the condition of going to school. It was a hard time for my
parents, like it could also be to many others who have gone through what I have. For me, asthma was a disadvantage because I wasn’t able to participate in several activities without having to worry about getting an asthma attack. I lasted about 2 years with the despicable severe condition of asthma.

After some time, it wasn’t so bad anymore. I stopped using
the inhaler and didn’t have to take medication at all. I went back to my usual life that I enjoy. Nonetheless, as I grew up in this community I learned a lot of things I had never been aware of. None of the power generated at Crawford is actually sold to Illinois utilities. That’s something I did not know until I started participating at our community organization “LVEJO”. It’s not a cool thing to know that the community is affected by
the factories around us.

Both the Fisk plant located in Pilsen, and the Crawford plant in Little Village emit 230 lbs of mercury, which causes brain damage, 17,765 tons of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which cause ozone and acid rain, and become particulate matter that contributes to lung problems such as asthma. It is incredibly shocking to know that there have been more than 40 deaths, 1000 asthma attacks, 550 emergency visits and about 41 premature deaths on average per year. Chicago is known as the asthma epicenter of the nation. In some of Chicago’s neighborhoods over 25% of children under the age of twelve suffer from asthma.

That is why our youth and members of the LVEJO community participate in “toxic tours”, which are basically giving a tour of all the sites that pollute our environment. We want young youth to have awareness about the environment around them. We would be more than glad to have more youth interested in participating and making a change, because there’s nothing like the power of people. Be part of your community, get involved in our youth organizing world.

Youth Newsletter "El Cilantro": el_cilantro@lvejo.org

For general LVEJO information please email us here .

Comments regarding LVEJO

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Volume 2

[ Issue No. 1 | Issue No. 2 | Issue No. 3 | Issue No. 4 | Issue No. 5 | Issue No. 6 | Issue No. 7 | Issue No. 8 | Issue No. 9 | Issue No. 10 | Issue No. 11 | Issue No. 12 | Issue No. 13
| Issue No. 14]

Do you have something cool that you think
the rest of the world needs to see?
It could be a poem, a drawing, a music review, a sports review,
an article, or an opinion.
E-mail us here

~~~~~~~~~~ Other important topics ~~~~~~~~~~
(Download as Adobe pdf):

Clean Air/Lulac Study / Healthy Schools In Latino Communities flyer

"Tips on Base Building" from LVEJO Board Member Carlos Fernandez

Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) | La Organización de Justicia Ambiental de la Villita

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