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At a time when clean energy projects are developing across the state, Columbus Stand Up! and the Ohio Climate Justice Fund will host a community conversation in the Southfield/Marion Franklin neighborhood of Columbus to discuss ways to advance an equitable clean future for everyone in Ohio. 
The event will be held Saturday, September 18, 2021, 2-4 PM at The Marion Franklin Recreation Center (2801 Lockbourne Rd.). Click here to RSVP. 

We look forward to discussing environmental justice with a community that is particularly active and close-knit. Community leaders have shared their ongoing environmental concerns, including an ineffective dry basin constructed outside the Dollar General store at Lockbourne and Koebel that constantly has six inches or more of standing, dirty water. This basin is hazardous not just because it lacks fencing, posing a danger to children who might fall in, but also because it is a breeding ground for disease-carrying insects. Neighbors are also concerned about abandoned construction and decommissioning sites. Southfield has a history of suffering from industrial factory explosions, and with factory explosions in other parts of the city earlier this year, concerns have mounted in Southfield about the safety of factories in their neighborhood. 

“Southfield has been working hard to clean up their neighborhood. This community has done the legwork. Now they need City leadership to hear and respond to the concerns they continually raise. The City should be supporting the community’s efforts to ensure its own health and safety,” said Heather Johnson, community organizer.

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Columbus Stand Up! is a non-profit dedicated to mobilizing people in Central Ohio to serve the community, engage in the political process, hold elected officials accountable, and advocate for policies that will ensure everyone in our community can lead a stable life. 

Listen. Lead. Share. (LLS), is a statewide grassroots campaign that includes a goal of hosting public conversations with community members and stakeholders about the best and most effective ways to address climate and environmental justice in their communities. Intentional and authentic community listening is the first step in organizing grassroots support of equitable clean energy policies.