Environmental advocate Erin Brockovich shares photo of polluted water from East Palestine
Erin Brockovich has arrived in East Palestine, Ohio, the site of a train derailment that led to the burning of thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals.
The 2000 film, ‘Erin Brockovich’ follows the story of a woman who uncovers pollution in a local water system which she traces to Pacific Gas and Electric, the California-based utility giant. Through her advocacy, the company was forced to compensate those affected by their negligence.
This afternoon, the real-life Erin Brockovich landed in East Palestine, Ohio, to raise awareness of the crisis that the community is facing after a catastrophic train derailment led to the burning of thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals in their town.
Erin Brockovich is on the scene
Govenor Mike DeWine has been seen on camera drinking water out of the tap and East Palestine, but many residents are concerned that their health continues to be at risk. Earlier today, Erin Brockovich took to Twitter, posting a picture of what looks like oil floating on top of a local stream. “Taken today!! “All Clear” My Ass!” reads the comment.
A few hours later, she retweeted the image with a new comment: “It’s beyond outrageous.”
Brockovich comes to Ohio with a message of unity
The train derailment has become a political issue after Democrats and Republicans have both competed to look like they are doing the most while doing the least.
President Donald Trump and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg have visited East Palestine. The former’s administration contributed to the likelihood that a crisis like this would occur, and when visiting the community, he did not even mention the company responsible, Norfolk Southern. Secretary Buttigieg has the power to enact new rules for the railroads, like the ones that were repealed by his predecessor, to reduce the risk of derailments, particularly those carrying hazardous and flammable material.
Brockovich arrived hoping to shift the focus to the victims and ensure Norfolk Southern is held responsible.
“I don’t care who you voted for when crisis hits we are all Americans, we are all human beings,” reads another tweet sent this afternoon.
East Palestine Justice was established as a partnership between “attorneys, environmental activists, and scientific and medical experts representing community members affected by Norfolk Southern’s negligence.” All those who live within a fifty-mile radius of the derailment site can register with the organization. The details of each case will determine the services the team will be able to provide those impacted by the disaster.