Mothers of East Los Angeles facts for kids

Mothers of East Los Angeles (MELA) started in 1986. It was a group of Latina mothers. They came together to stop a state prison from being built in East Los Angeles. Governor George Deukmejian wanted to build it.

Some of the first mothers were Rosa Diseno, Lucy Ramos, Mary Lou Trevis, Juana Gutierrez, and Aurora Castillo. About 400 people joined the group. Today, two groups exist from these founding members. One is Mothers of East LA. The other is Madres de Este Los Angeles, Santa Isabel.

Both groups focus on environmental justice. This means they work to make sure everyone has a safe and healthy environment. They are mothers who care deeply about their families and children's safety. MELA is famous for stopping the prison in East L.A. After that victory, MELA continued to fight for their community. They work to protect their neighborhood from anything they think might be harmful.

Fighting for Their Community

Stopping the Prison

The California Department of Corrections (CDC) was told to build a prison in Los Angeles County. This was because many people from Southern California were in prisons far away. Plans for where to build the prison were discussed for three years. Then, in March 1985, it was announced that a new prison would be built in East Los Angeles.

Many people did not know about it until Assemblywoman Gloria Molina brought attention to the issue. Ms. Molina started gathering support from other groups. This helped MELA gain time for their movement to grow. By September 1986, the decision was close.

A local priest, Monsignor John Moretta, joined the fight against the prison. He became very important to the movement. He was the one who called the women "Mothers of East L.A." MELA's involvement made the community stronger. They showed the dangers the prison could bring to the neighborhood. They also got a lot of public attention by protesting. When the prison plan was voted on in the summer of 1991, it failed by just four votes.

Protecting the Environment

Stopping an Incinerator

In 1987, a company called California Thermal Treatment Systems announced a plan. They wanted to build an incinerator in Vernon. An incinerator burns trash, which can cause air pollution. This one would be very close to homes, schools, churches, and hospitals. The company had been planning this for two years before the news came out.

Assemblywoman Lucille Roybal-Allard quickly got support from the East LA community, including MELA and Greenpeace. They organized protest marches. They also kept the community informed using their bilingual skills. They attended important meetings to make their voices heard.

MELA fought against the incinerator for many reasons. They worried about harmful health effects from more air pollution. They also felt it was unfair that large companies would put such projects in their community. They believed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the company did not follow proper rules.

After a six-year fight, MELA sued the EPA. They said the EPA did not provide a report about how the project would affect the environment. In 1991, the incinerator project was stopped. This was because of strong opposition due to health risks. Also, new rules required a full environmental report and the best ways to control pollution.

Stopping a Waste Plant

A few weeks after stopping the incinerator, another project was proposed. ChemClear wanted to build a plant for dangerous waste in Huntington Park, California. MELA, Senator Al Torres, and other important groups protested against the plant.

They raised concerns about where the plant would be located. They also worried about emergency plans, waste reduction, and pollution. They also questioned how the public would be informed and how waste would be transported. In 1991, ChemClear stopped the project because of an economic slowdown. MELA still saw it as a big win against another harmful project.

Cleaner Air for Schools

In 2011, MELA started working to improve the air quality at seven schools in Boyle Heights. This project received a grant of $1 million. MELA's goal is to create a healthier environment for children. Los Angeles is known for having a lot of air pollution.

Mothers as Activists

MELA used their family connections and Mexican American culture to defend their communities. They connected the role of a mother as a caring protector to political action. They showed that protecting the community is like protecting your own children. They also welcomed people who were not mothers to join them.

MELA members often say that their low-income communities and their history make them strong. They believe they have the right to oppose projects that could harm their community's health.

Working with Friends

Mothers of East LA has worked with many other groups. These groups also fight for a better quality of life in the community.

These groups help MELA create projects that improve the community for everyone.

MELA's Work Today

In the 21st century, MELA focuses on many programs. They teach people about health and raise money for scholarships. They also inform the community about environmental unfairness through protests and public meetings.

In 2010, MELA fought against a proposed CVS Pharmacy. It was planned to replace the historic Golden Gate Theater, built in 1927. MELA argued that building a CVS could have bad environmental effects. They also had concerns about the impact on the community's well-being. The East Los Angeles Association (ELARA) said it would bring important money for any future city of East Los Angeles. The Board of supervisors allowed the theater to be changed into a CVS store.