Congressman Keith Ellison Forum: Environmental Protection Agency

Congressman Ellison held a forum in the Redeemer sanctuary on Wednesday night, August 16th. Congressman Ellison invited multiple people to speak at the forum and share their stories and thoughts about an issue that has seriously affected the North Minneapolis area for years. However, taking into consideration the recent changes the U.S. is now facing, Congressman Ellison stated, “This is not the time to cut back, this is the time to move forward,” in response to the budget cuts the Environmental Protection Agency is currently experiencing among other issues. The forum addressed some important concerns like how North Minneapolis has the highest hospitalization rate in all of Minnesota and has had more cases of lead poisoning reported than Flint, Michigan. Among the various speakers was a mother from the North Minneapolis community whose son suffered lead poisoning when her and her family moved into an apartment that had issues with lead and the landlord failed to notify her of this. Her tragic experience led her to begin her fight with Congress that she is still fighting today. At the end of the forum a speaker closed with a few encouraging words about the positive movements that are being put into place for better air and water and for a better environment as a whole.
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