Our Mission

Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) is organized to empower individuals, communities, and community organizations in Southeast Michigan to educate, advocate and organize for cleaner, healthier communities and environments.

Fact Sheet

Detroiters all over the city are coming together to "Take a Stand for the Land in the Neighborhoods"

• To stop the rise of asthma and other upper respiratory problems in our community. We will work toward improving the quality of air in Detroit. Wayne County is fifth in the country demonstrating the greatest increase in asthma related deaths among the African America population and has some of the worst air quality in the country.

• To reduce and eliminate the number of lead poisoned children. Detroit has two thirds of the known lead poisoning cases among children for the entire state of Michigan. Exposure to lead goes beyond paint chips. Research has found lead in soil, air, and water. This may be due to the disproportionate number of polluting facilities like incinerators, factories, small manufacturing companies, and gas stations near our homes, playgrounds, and schools.

• To clean up contaminated land. In July of 1997, Mayor Archer reported that the city has nearly 60,000 parcels of vacant land. It is estimated that at least one half of this property is knows as a "Brownfield Site" - perceived to be or actual contaminated land, too often in our communities.

• To stop "Illegal Dumping." Neighborhoods throughout the city have been targeted as prime sites to dump construction debris, tires, trash, barrels that contain contamination. Much of the dumping occurs by people that don't live in our city.

• To improve water quality. The Detroit River is desperately in need of clean up. Efforts like the Rouge River Cleanup must take place in Detroit.

• To increase community participation in land-use decisions. Residents must have the opportunity to participate in decisions about what happens in their neighborhoods. Too many of us live near facilities that may be polluting our air and land without our knowledge. We as residents have a right to know what they are doing.

Join Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice to increase the voice of the people about the decisions that are taking place which impact the quality of our lives.