Earth Day youth climate march held in San Francisco to demand environmental justice

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- An organization that believes the city of San Francisco is ignoring some of the health concerns of people of color is holding its own Earth Day event Friday.

They're marching to Union Square for a rally they call People's Earth Day.

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The group Youth Versus Apocalypse issued a statement that says, in part, "Historically, Earth Day has been a day in San Francisco where places like Golden Gate Park and Crissy Fields are cleansed and cared for while low-income communities of color, like Bayview Hunters Point and Treasure Island, have been neglected."

"We're asking for remediation and justice to the overall area for folks trying to build on soil they know is toxic," said Lilla Pittman from San Francisco.

Advocates from the Bayview are impressed so many young people are getting involved.

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"I'm so proud and amazed these kids showed up to show they care about climate justice and all for the Bayview," said advocate Arieanne Harrison.

The cleanup of Hunter's Point is being done by the U.S. Navy, overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency. Activists say they want more oversight.

"We won't quit or give up, we'll keep pushing the effort," Harrison added.

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