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May 22, 2023

Southeast Side Chicago residents protest metal shredder

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — There's been no response from executives of a metal

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — There's been no response from executives of a metal shredder operation to the latest protest from people living on Chicago's Southeast Side, who are fighting a judge's ruling that would clear the way for the company to operate in their backyard.

"When the community says, ‘No,’ it's no," said Southeast Side resident Oscar Sanchez.

Sanchez said he recently lost his grandmother to lung issues caused by poor air quality in the community. He and other residents said they’re tired of fighting for what should be a basic human right.

"All we want to do is spend time with our loved ones," Sanchez said. "We want to be able to go outside and breathe clean air … play with our children … go learn [and] go to school."

Resident Cheryl Johnson said this issue goes beyond the Southeast Side.

"[This is] not just about our lives," she said. "It's about your life and your childrens’ lives, and we need to stop this right now. Environmental racism needs to stop in the city of Chicago because we’re fighting back. We’re not stopping."

Tuesday's rally was the second time that Southeast Side residents protested the operation of a Reserve Management — formerly known as General Iron — metal shredding and recycling operation.

Johnson said a judge's recent ruling, which stated the City didn't follow its own procedures in denying Reserve Management its permit to operate on the Southeast Side, amounted to telling area residents that they "don't have the right to breathe clean air."

Olga Bautista, with the Southeast Environmental Task Force, spoke Tuesday and said the company is "playing games" with residents.

"They want a big payout that is going to be funded by our tax dollars, that's what they want," Bautista said. "We’re onto them. They know that they’ve lost this fight, and they’re going to try to take every penny that they can away from our schools and our communities, and that ain't right."

Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed his support for the community and said he stands firmly behind the decision to block Reserve Management from operating.

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