PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934 April 23 - 29, 2026
Vol. 92
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
No. 38
Air and water disparities, and the fight to shut down HERC
where pollution is allowed to exist and whose health is treated as expendable. The trash burner was built with a 20-year design life. It should have been retired by 2009. Instead, the county has extended its operation year after year while the surrounding community continues to absorb the pollution. Clean air should not depend on your zip code. This is urgent because people are getting sick, the county has the authority to act, and every year of delay is another year of preventable harm.” Fifty-three percent of lowincome neighborhoods have air pollution-related risks above health guidelines, and 78% of communities of color in Minnesota face the same, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Joshua Lewis Photo courtesy of Zero Burn Coalition “In addition, the social, economic and health inequities North Minneapolis, has oper- timonies the Zero Burn Coali- within our control, which is that these populations face By Damenica Ellis tion is trying to amplify, Villan- shutting down HERC.” ated since 1989. Staff Writer can make them more vulner“It sounds like you’re living ueva said. HERC sits in a densely pop- able to the effects of air pol“We choose to believe those ulated, majority-Black com- lution,” the MPCA said on its North Loop resi- on the tarmac of the airport,” dent submitted said Natasha Villanueva, who people,” she said. Some Hen- munity, burning trash sent website. a video to the is currently on a hunger strike nepin County leaders have from across Hennepin County Joshua Lewis, a veteran credited these problems to and surrounding suburbs, the labor, climate justice and utilZero Burn Coali- with the coalition. Others have complained highways, she continued, but coalition said in a FAQ docu- ity organizer who is also on tion letting others hear how loud the Hennepin Energy of respiratory illnesses and Villanueva believes both are ment. hunger strike, named some “That concentration of harm of those social, economic and Recovery Center (HERC) trash mold growing on food in their impacting residents harshly. “We need to do something is not accidental. It reflects health inequities. incinerator is. HERC, located apartment within 30 minutes between Downtown and of setting it out. These are tes- about the one that we have deliberate decisions about
A new poll tax? How the SAVE Act impacts Black, unhoused and female voters By Damenica Ellis Staff Writer he SAVE America Act, introduced in January by U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, as an updated and expanded version of the 2025 SAVE Act, is believed to make the voting process difficult for many eligible voters across the country. Some say the bill will especially impact Black elders. The act would require proof of U.S. citizenship to be presented in person to register to
vote. A similar law passed at the state level in Kansas prevented 31,000 eligible people from voting before a federal judge struck it down. The bill would also require states to provide private personal data records on all registered voters, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said. More than 21 million voting-age citizens lack the documents that would be required, including many elders of African heritage born during Jim Crow, because of well-documented barriers to obtaining
Fitness communities of color kick off the season
birth records, according to the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage. The council, which advises the Minnesota government on the needs of African American, African immigrant, Black American and Black immigrant communities, said more than 140 million Americans lack passports, and 69 million women have names that do not match their birth certificates, creating additional hurdles. “The SAVE Act… it’s defi- Jasmine McBride ■ See SAVE ACT on page 5 Editor
Edmond Dantès
Neighborhoods face food deserts, lack access to healthy food and have seen freeways destroy businesses and homes, he said. “And, ‘hey, we’re going to throw this trash burner in the community as well.’” Lewis described these environmental disparities as a form of “slow genocide” and eugenics, arguing that the actions of the capitalist and ecoimperialist classes mirror the destructive patterns of global colonialism. Villanueva lives in the 55411 ZIP code, which has the highest asthma and allergy rates in the state, she said. HERC also requires water to operate, she said. “A bunch of diesel trucks come to HERC all the time to dump there, and then water is used to create steam, and then that turns turbines, not to produce energy. So it’s a very indirect way it sullies that water, and we could just be replacing it with five wind turbines instead.” Emissions also pollute the air. “Every day, residents near the trash burner, and communities downwind in South Minneapolis, breathe its toxic ■ See HERC on page 5
Twin Cities’ Black and Latino streetwear scene. The ride was held in honor of Faith s temperatures Moss, a club co-founder who climb and day- was recently diagnosed with light stretches breast cancer and completed longer, fitness surgery three weeks before communities of color across the event. “It’s a lot of moving pieces the Twin Cities are hitting their stride, gathering on riv- that was able to put this toerbanks, neighborhood trails gether today,” said Alexander and community spaces to Iverson, co-founder of EZ Bike Club, addressing the crowd bemove, heal and connect. fore the ride. “Originally it started as two wheels that brought A ride for Faith On April 18, dozens of cy- us all together, but also was clists gathered at Harriet Is- the one spirit of ourselves, and land Regional Park in St. Paul brought all these like-minded for a 19-mile breast cancer individuals together to create awareness ride hosted by the something like this.” Before riders set out, the EZ Bike Club, a community cycling group rooted in the gathering took on the feel
Jasmine McBride/MSR of a community celebration. Chopped and Served provided acai bowls and protein balls made fresh that morning. Savory Bake House out of South Minneapolis andEasy Day Cafe contributed food and refreshments. Schorbahn Family Law sponsored custom shirts. A post-ride meal was provided by Soul Lao, who also supplied snacks at the halfway point. Moss, visibly moved, addressed the crowd before the ride. “My mom was the first person to buy a ticket for today,” she said. “Three weeks ago, I had surgery to remove my tumor, and after surgery, she ■ See FITNESS on page 5