First Unitarian Universalist Society plans forum on environmental protection | News, Sports, Jobs
MARIETTA — The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Marietta’s Social Justice Sunday leaders and Green Sanctuary Committee have teamed up to present the Social Justice Sunday Forum, “Justice for Water Protectors, Near and Far” from 1-3 p.m. Sunday at the church 232 Third St. in Marietta.
The focus of the event is on learning more about vulnerable communities such as indigenous people, people of color and low-income communities who have found themselves exposed to environmental pollution that threatens their health and property.
These marginalized communities have historically been left out of the decision-making processes that led and continue to place their own homes and families in harm’s way, organizers said.
SJS leader Andrew Clovis will moderate the panel of speakers. Scott Russell, a former co-chairman of the Stop Line 3 Team of the Sierra Club’s North Star Chapter, will present over Zoom to discuss the status of efforts against Line 3 and Line 5 pipelines in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. Giulia Mannarino, a local climate activist, a member of Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action and a “fracking refugee,” will share why she was willing to join the Line 3 protest in Minnesota last year. Callie Lyons, local author and podcaster who wrote “Stain-Resistant, Nonstick, Waterproof, and Lethal: The Hidden Dangers of C8,” will discuss the importance of protecting lands, waters and health in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
A Q&A roundtable with the speakers will follow the presentations.
The forum is free and open to the public. The congregation’s COVID protocols (masking when CDC reports high levels in Washington and/or Wood counties) will be followed.
The program will also be available on Zoom at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/4npf55fc. The meeting ID is 893 1991 4112, and the passcode is water.
