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Smith Foundry Closure Celebration
Fri, Aug 16
|Minneapolis
On August 15th, Smith Foundry will shut its doors for good. It's time to celebrate this multigenerational fight for East Phillips to have clean air, clean water, and clean soil. Today, we are one step closer to that reality. We hope you join a celebration of music, games, speeches, food, and fun!
Time & Location
Aug 16, 2024, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Minneapolis, 2500 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404, USA
About the event
On August, 15 2024 Smith Foundry will close for good.
In May, 2023 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a surprise inspection of Smith Foundry. The EPA found that Smith violated the Clean Air Act nine times including emitting double the amount of particulate matter, broken pollution control devices, lead emissions, and more.
When these results were made public in November, 2023 East Phillips residents, Círculo parents and employees, and allies have been tirelessly working to use every tool to shut Smith Foundry down. We pressured the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, testified and organized for the amortization bill, protested, held public meetings, met regularly with organizers and advocates, wrote opeds, and more.
Eight months later we are thrilled to see that when the community fights, we win. East Phillips residents deserve clean air, clean water, and clean soil. On August 15, we will be a huge step closer to making that a reality.
The fight for environmental justice and good jobs are not separate. We believe in good paying, union jobs that keep people safe and healthy. We will continue to advocate to ensure that Smith workers have a just transition. There should not be a compromise between clean air and good jobs.
We can't wait to celebrate this huge win with our community the day after Smith closes on August 16th!