Holistic Healing to Environmental Racism Using Citizen Science, Ceremonial Dance, and Community Gathering

In May of 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a surprise visit to Smith Foundry, located in the East Phillips neighborhood. The EPA found nine violations of the federal Clean Air Act, including emissions of PM 2.5 and lead at levels two times higher than the state allowed limits. Since the results of this report were uncovered, EPIC has been organizing with community members and a coalition of partners to galvanize the local vitriol in a productive way. The report confirmed the community's longstanding suspicions that the Foundry was polluting, harming, and even killing, East Phillips residents. After over a hundred years of environmental racism and social disregard, the Foundry is closing. Planned celebratory activities include: an opening ceremony with a Mexican-Indigenous dance troupe; a healthcare workshop which will provide 250 East Phillips households with free HEPA grade air filters; a community re-visioning activity in which community residents can work together to envision a greener, healthier neighborhood; and a land stewardship presentation led by experts in mycoremediation.