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.
History and Background
Since 1994, DWEJ has beenhas been a voice for environmental justice in Michigan. Historically, minority and low-income populations have suffered disproportionately from environmental pollution, often because they have the least capacity to respond. Therefore, DWEJ is dedicated to empowering urban residents to take a meaningful role in the decision-making process surrounding environmental concerns in their own communities.
The following is a selection of the efforts we have initiated:
Successfully advocated for the creation of a Detroit Department of Environmental Affairs
Advocated for the clean up of an estimated 60,000 contaminated parcels of land in the city of
Detroit. As a result, the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority was formed.
Worked to stop the rise of asthma and other upper respiratory problems in vulnerable populations resulting from poor air quality through the Community Action Against Asthma campaign.
Successfully worked to stop "Illegal Dumping” through the Don’t Dump on Detroit Campaign.
Successfully worked to raise citizen awareness of regional water quality issues through our Water For Life Campaign
Increased community participation in land-use decisions through the Take A Stand for the Land in the ‘Hood campaign.
Promoted access to quality food with the Detroit Agriculture Network and the Black Food Securities Network.
Reduced the impact of lead on children and their families through our United Parents Against Lead and the Detroit Lead Partnership.
Trained nearly 5,000 citizens through our Community Hazard Awareness Training/Seminars (CHATS) as a member of the Midwest Consortium for Hazardous Waste Worker Training.
Some of our accomplishments include:
Shutting down of the
HenryFordHospital medical waste incinerator in partnership with the Health Care Without Harm Campaign.
Securing community participation on the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority through its Take a Stand for the Land in the ‘Hood Campaign.
Registering 2000 voters for the 2004 Presidential Election
Fostering the development of a stronger “illegal dumping” ordinance in the city of
Detroit through its Don’t Dump on Detroit Campaign.
Securing more than 15,000 signatures for petitions which demanded improvement in city of
Detroit bus service
Training, mentoring and coaching 50
Detroit citizens that participated in the review of the Metropolitan Planning Organization which decides on appropriations for public transportation in
Southeast Michigan.This was the first time that
Detroit residents participated through its Urban Air and Transportation Project.
Current campaigns include
Playing a leadership role in the Campaign for State Action on Environmental Justice a statewide effort to have the Governor of Michigan sign an executive order addressing environmental justice in the state.
Establishing a campaign to clean and protect
BelleIsleBeach, the only public access beach in the city.
Maintaining a lead reduction program to help families impacted by lead poisoning
Establishing a Climate Justice Project to build public awareness about Climate Change the potential impacts on the city.
