for more information:
Craig Williams (859) 986-7565
David Christian (256) 237-0317
Arametta Porter (256) 237-6039
for immediate release: Monday, August 4, 2003
In Anniston, Alabama today citizens living in the shadow of a chemical weapons incinerator at the Anniston Army Depot announced their latest legal action to protect their families from exposure to lethal chemical agents. The U.S. Army plans to begin burning nerve agent-filled rockets as soon as Wednesday, August 6, despite a serious lack of protection within the community, and despite the fact that use of safer, non-incineration technologies could prevent a release of chemical agent in the first place.
"Not only has this community been denied the opportunity for a safe technology to destroy our chemical weapons," said David Christian of the group Serving Alabama's Future Environment (SAFE), "but they want to start up the incinerator when the most basic levels of protection are not in place. We have been betrayed...but we will not give up our efforts to protect our families."
Richard Condit, attorney for SAFE, the Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG) and numerous other local groups this afternoon filed a motion for a Temporary Restraining Order against the Army's Anniston incinerator. The motion was filed on the basis that citizens in and around Anniston will suffer irreparable harm if the incinerator is allowed to operate, and is supported by the affidavits of several local residents.
Local businesses in the zone closest to the incinerator
have not received any protective "shelter-in-place"
equipment, and numerous schools in the area have not yet been
pressurized, which would protect children if an accident occurs
during school hours, testified David Christian.
Arametta Porter testified that she is considered part of Anniston's
"special needs" population yet has received no protective
equipment or guidance from the government on how to protect herself
from chemical agent. Ironically, Ms. Porter's ailments resulted
from exposure to chemical agent from the Depot, years ago.
Jeanette Champion testified that she and her family endure serious
chronic health problems from prior exposure to PCBs and cannot
bear additional toxic emissions from a chemical weapons incinerator.
"Its no secret that this community is grossly unprepared for an incident with these weapons of mass destruction," said CWWG Director Craig Williams. "We are confident that when presented with the facts, a judge will come to that same conclusion."
The motion also points out that the Army has not allowed safer, non-incineration technologies for destruction of Anniston's chemical weapons, while those safer methods will be used at four other chemical weapons sites. "We're not asking the Army to do anything impossible. We're not even asking for special treatment," said Jeanette Champion. "We are demanding the justice we deserve, and we won't stop till we get it."
Arametta Porter says she is living proof of what exposure to even low levels of chemical agent can do. "No one should have to suffer as I have from these toxics. But if the Army burns these chemical weapons, that's exactly what will happen."
In addition to legal action, local families, veterans, church and community leaders and numerous state and national groups are proceeding with other political and grassroots actions, including a public march and rally for safe disposal of chemical weapons on Saturday, August 16 in Anniston.