The Breathers of Bayview Hill: Redevelopment and Environmental Justice in Southeast San Francisco

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The “Toxic Tour” described in this article takes readers through the contentious redevelopment of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco. The shipyard, closed in 1974, has been a focal point for environmental and health concerns due to its history of industrial warship-building and radioactive waste. Lennar Inc. aims to transform the area into upscale developments, but residents from the historically marginalized Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood express opposition, citing health hazards from toxic cleanup and the gentrification impact. The article delves into the community’s historical struggle for environmental and racial justice, focusing on the airborne redevelopment dust as a form of environmental racism. It also highlights the campaign against the proposed explosion of Candlestick Stadium, drawing connections to the Black Lives Matter movement and emphasizing the political significance of urban breathing space as a site to challenge racial inequalities. The concerns about construction dust and toxic air quality persist, reflecting a longstanding history of environmental racism and injustice in southeast San Francisco.

Last modified: Dec 05, 2023