ASARCO: pollution on the Border

  El Paso, Texas
Friday, May 4, 2007

Environmental pollution was a concern I had about living in El Paso.
Indeed, the ASARCO smokestack was one of the first landmarks I noticed on the skyline.


ASARCO is a copper smelting plant that operated for years here and is trying to start up once again, although it's been cited for blatent offenses against the environment. In March, local activists chartered a bus to lobby legislators in Austin to shut it down permanently. My friend Anne rode on that bus, and so when the issue came up today at the city council she had Eric pick her up from the peace vigil corner to attend the meeting. She's one in a million. Check out the thumbnail sequence above to see a "Motorcycle Mama" in action.

P.S. The council unaminously voted to oppose ASARCO. Success!!