A conversation about environmental justice
Tony Newton, City Council Sustainability Intern, No Phone Number
Monday, October 17, 2022 at 4:06 PM
Members of the City Council’s Environmental Justice and Equity Workgroup will participate in a variety of events this summer in partnership with the Sustainability Action Subcommittee (SAS) to engage residents on sustainability and environmental justice topics. Did. Here are some highlights from the conversation.
Hillyard Days – Have a good time!
The Hillyard Festival continued this year’s first weekend in August, from Friday 5th August to Sunday 7th August. The festival was held at Sharpley Harmon Park and included vendor spaces for business, amusement games, arts & crafts, and information. booth.
SAS members Witt Jasper, Ryan Locke, Sisters Pat Millen and Alison Smith volunteered throughout the weekend. Community members discussed issues such as lack of supporting infrastructure, housing and homelessness, and stagnating wages. A concern expressed by members of the community is that Spokane people are being completely devalued from their physical homes and even from Spokane. There were also additional clarification questions regarding the recent Water Conservation and Drought Response Ordinance passed by the City Council.
Spokane Eastside Reunion Association
This year, SERA hosted an end of summer celebration at Underhill Park in the East Central District. On August 13th, community members, families and organizations came together to celebrate the end of the neighborhood and basketball camp.
The Sustainable Action Subcommittee partnered with Spokane City Environmental Justice and Equity Subcommittee Representative Witt Jasper to share table space with the NAACP’s Spokane chapter. The Spokane NAACP provided 30 miniature flowerpots along with soil, seeds and art supplies for children to make their own.
Community members can join the SAS interactive board to provide feedback on how extreme heat, wildfire smoke, rising household costs, and more are currently impacting the environment.
unity in the community
This year’s Unity in the Community celebration event was held at Riverfront Park on August 20, 2022. The event marks his 28th anniversary this year and is the largest multicultural festival in the region. The event offers activities for all ages, free his K-8 school supplies, live entertainment and more.
Thanks to Lisa Gardner, Ryan Locke, White Jester, and Ian Cunningham for volunteering to the table at the event! We also prepared a game with the theme of
Ongoing involvement in the community
Working with the Environmental Justice and Equity Subcommittee, Whit Jasper organized an information session to be held at the end of October.
Each session will feature presentations from community organizations on topics such as extreme heat, urban planning, water access and equity.
The first session will be held on Wednesday, October 26th from 5-7pm at The Hive library location.
The second session will be held on Saturday, October 29th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Central Library.
A light meal will be provided. For more information on these events, please contact Whit Jester at whitney.jester9@gmail.com.
Common topics and themes shared
- Infrastructure to meet current population demands
- Do not put prices on people outside the community, especially vulnerable older people who have lived in the area since birth
- Saving water and water regulations
- housing and the homeless
