Toxic Manna

Jefferson Park is a fairly ordinary suburb of the immense city of Los Angeles. Made up of African-Americans and Latinos, the neighborhood of 16,000 people is home to schools, healthcare services, churches of different faiths, etc. But also the Murphy site, dedicated to oil and gas exploitation. Because the City of Angels was built on the largest oil field in the country.

This is how extraction and refining projects have multiplied, particularly in the most popular and poorest neighborhoods. A form of “environmental racism” against which a coalition of associations* is fighting.

Another particularity of this site, which has been operating since 1961, is its membership in the city’s Catholic archdiocese, the result of a donation made by the daughter of an American tycoon. A profitable windfall – the royalties amount to several million dollars from which the diocese benefits for its works – but with a bitter taste. Because exploitation is accompanied by emissions of toxic gases, contamination of basements and other pollution, increasing with the aging of the installations.

Studies denounce the multiplication of cancers within these populations. “It’s dirty money from which you benefit,” accuse the opponents. “For the sake of the people living here, are you willing to give it up?” For now, the answer is negative. The municipality is preparing to ban this type of site… within twenty years.

*Including GreenFaith and Redeemer Community Partnership.