'You harmed my kids': Frustrated Syracuse residents call for state of emergency over lead pipes
By Justin Velazquez Syracuse
PUBLISHED 7:43 PM ET Nov. 12, 2024
Lead in pipes that carry drinking water. It's an issue that affects communities and residents across New York state, and more communities are seemingly being added to the list. Advocates in one Central New York city say the issue is reaching a boiling point.
Syracuse residents are frustrated and tired of dealing with the issue. At a "Lead Crisis Rally" held Tuesday, they called for the city to declare a state of emergency.
“He had to be moved to another class because he has to have extra special ed," said Darlene Medley, tears streaming down her face while talking about her son, Devon.
Medley is the West Branch leader for Lead Freedom CNY.
She joined a group of advocates, leaders and citizens who made their voices heard in an effort to reach a singular goal: Removing lead. It’s an issue that’s felt throughout Syracuse and in Medley’s life. A mother of nine, she has twins who've been affected by lead poisoning.
“[One of my kids] stutters really bad," she said. "Devon… that’s my Drama Club kid, but he can’t stay still. He can’t focus because [of lead]."
Her twins were diagnosed in 2019. Shortly after, she became an advocate against lead poisoning, hoping to be a voice representing impacted families.
“Even if you don’t want to tell your story, I’ll tell your story," Medley said. "There’s nothing they can do to me. They’ve done their due diligence already. You harmed my kids. If you didn’t want me out here talking, you didn’t want me to become the voice of the people for this lead, then you shouldn’t have poisoned my children."
The rally was organized by the New York Civil Liberties Union. It's been going back and forth with the city of Syracuse for months, saying a state of emergency needs to be declared.
“We try our dammest to protect our children," said Lanessa Chaplin-Owens, director of the Racial Justice Center for the NYCLU. "But there’s some things we just can’t look out for, there’s invisible threats, like lead in our water.”
A test in July by the city showed more than a fifth of around 100 tested homes exceeded the federal action level for lead set at 15 parts per billion.
The city, however, recently put two workers on administrative leave for allegedly conducting the tests improperly. Its most recent study in October registered only five of 115 houses with elevated lead levels. Advocates continue to maintain a state of emergency needs to be declared by Syracuse officials.
“So we can get some funding for the drinking water, so we can get some good, quality drinking water because without that, we’re gonna be messed up anyways," Medley said. "Not just the children, all of us.”
They’re not stopping until their main goal is reached.
“Children free from lead," she said. "Just like that.”
City officials are holding a meeting Thursday night to talk to residents about their concerns over the city’s drinking water.
In a statement, Syracuse Chief of Policy Greg Loh told Spectrum News 1: "Data and facts should drive any declaration of emergency. The City is in discussions with the advocates and will continue to pursue all sources of available funding.
"As previously announced, replacing lead service lines is an urgent priority for the City of Syracuse. Under Mayor Walsh, the Water Department has proactively increased the number and pace of lead service line replacements in recent years. We project more than 3,000 lead services will be replaced in the next year, a significant number of those replacements made possible by $22.8 million in State funding. The Department of Water will continue to expedite lead service line replacements until all are eliminated."
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