Posted: November 9th, 2005

Quest for Environmental Justice—The new book The Quest for Environmental Justice captures the voices of frontline warriors who are battling environmental injustice and human rights abuses at the grassroots level around the world and challenging government and industry policies and globalization trends that place people of color and the poor at special risk. The Center contributed the chapter “Anatomy of the Urban Park Movement: Equal Justice, Democracy and Livability in Los Angeles” in the book edited by Dr. Robert Bullard. The chapter analyzes our efforts to diversify democracy from the ground up through parks, schools, healthy communities, transit, and sustainable regional planning. You can order the book at www.amazon.com.

Katrina, Justice, and Regional Planning—The Transportation Research Board will address Katrina: The Demographics and Infrastructure of Disaster and Reconstruction, at its annual meeting in January 2006, in Washington D.C. The Center’s Executive Director Robert Garcia and Marc Brenman, Executive Director of the Washington State Human Rights Commission, will present recommendations dealing with the fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of reconstruction, while promoting democratic values of full information and full and fair public participation in rebuilding New Orleans and the Gulf Coast on Monday, January 23, 2006, 10:15 am - 12:00 pm at the Hilton, International West, in Washington D.C.

Restoring a Piece of L.A. History: the Great Wall of Los Angeles—More than 20 years after its creation, the Great Wall of Los Angeles, which depicts California and U.S. history from prehistoric times to the 1950s, will be receiving a much needed restoration, as reported on the front page of the Daily News. World renowned artist and Great Wall creator Judy Baca will involve another generation of youths to bring the mural back to life. The Center is working with Ms. Baca on the Great Wall and public art in public spaces.

Promoting Physical Activity Among Youth: A New Approach to Children’s Health–At the request of California State Senator Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch), medical and public health experts and the Center recommended evidence-based, fundable programs to promote physical activity among children and adolescents. The recommendations will help us in the fight for our children’s lives, and for the quality of life for our children and their families and friends.

Public Trail Access Case Headed for Trial–The public won a victory for public space in historic Millard Canyon against the wealthy gated enclave of La Vina when the trial court ruled last week that the case may proceed to trial, throwing out the property owners’ objections. La Vina property owners have sought to cut off public access to the trails in Millard Canyon by posting “No Trespassing” signs and harassing hikers and equestrians.

Invest in justice with a donation to the Center for Law in the Public Interest.