Thread by @evan_greer

I grew up in Andover next to Lawrence. Super important to understand that Lawrence is the poorest community in New England with a huge immigrant population. Don't give $$ to the Red Cross. Give it to local community groups there who will be supporting residents for the long haul

Here's some:
Bread And Roses Lawrence: breadandroseslawrence.org
Lazarus House shelter: lazarushouse.org
Elevated Thought elevatedthought.org/our_story
Greater Lawrence Community Action Council: glcac.org

Based on initial reports it seems that the area of Lawrence most affected by these gas industry related explosions is the same one that was hit hard during flooding of the Merrimack river in 2006.

I worked with community groups providing relief work then, after returning from doing emergency response work in New Orleans. The inequity in the official government response was absurd.

Andover, a well-off suburb, was cleaned up almost immediately, while parts of Lawrence sat underwater or rotting for days. The community was deeply effected, many families maintained basement apartments for family members that were destroyed or made uninhabitable

This is a city that already faces disproportionate rates of asthma and other health disparities related to environmental injustice, poverty, and barriers that prevent members of immigrant communities from obtaining essential services

Lawrence is also a city with a rich history of resilience. It’s the site of the Bread and Roses strike, where young women, immigrant workers from many different countries, rose up together to demand better conditions and basic respect.

Lawrence doesn’t need your thoughts or your prayers. Lawrence needs your solidarity.

The Merrimack Valley is an area of profound disparity. Some of the wealthiest communities in the northeastern US literally right across the river from some of the poorest. Huge need for support of community organizations in Lawrence. Journalism to ensure response is equitable etc