Fresh Air Vallejo

Vallejo citizens first heard of the cement factory proposal in 2015. The proposal was defeated in May of 2019. The proposed cement factory, and an adjacent deep water marine terminal, would have brought tons of toxic material to South Vallejo to be ground into cement. Pollution, noise, traffic—and the injustice of placing the facility in a neighborhood already suffering from exceptionally high rates of asthma and cancer—were the cornerstones of Vallejo citizens’ opposition. Fresh Air Vallejo is a unique community-action group, in that it sprung into work through a "Hive in Action" model rather than a top-down-led organizational method. The synergy of many talents applied to one mission - "No Cement Factory on Our Waterfront" - and the effect of many independent actions was greater than the sum of its many parts. In 3.5 years, the dedication and commitment stopped an international company with vast financial resources from ruining the air and water of an entire community. Fresh Air Vallejo continues to work for Environmental Justice in Vallejo, holding as precious the vision and values of the community.