Bill 250768

Questioned the incineration ban bill for lacking deadlines and specificity, citing waste-to-energy practices in high quality-of-life nations.

The 215 People's Alliance director demanded Council vote no on any incinerator contract, saying 'people in Chester are dying.'

Asked Council to disapprove the Reworld incineration contract, calling incineration a public health problem.

A retired Temple nurse described Chester's asthma and infant mortality rates and urged Council to stop incineration.

A Northeast Philly librarian-turned-activist described the Chester incinerator caravan and urged Council to reject incinerator contracts.

Urged passage of the incineration ban, praising Councilmember Gauthier and citing air pollution harms in Chester.

Criticized the incineration bill and city leadership, arguing the focus should be elsewhere.

Supported the intent of the incineration ban but urged additional public health measures including removing fluoride and toxic turf.

Supported cleaner air and urged residents to help keep the city clean.

Spoke in general support of Council's service and the clean air bill, though he initially could not name the bill number.

Described a friend diagnosed with asthma simply because he lived in Chester, and noted Philadelphia's F air-quality grade.

The Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living chairperson cited cancer rates far above national averages and three recent deaths of Black women under 50, telling Council 'we are freaking dying.'

A youth worker in Chester called the situation 'environmental genocide' and urged passage of the bill.

A 14-year-old from Chester asked why her community must suffer for Philadelphia's trash.

A 13-year-old from Chester said his uncle, mother and brother all have asthma and asked Council to keep Chester pollution-free.

Declared 'Chester is not a sacrifice zone' and demanded action, not more studies.

Called the incinerator situation 'a badge of slavery' and advocated for an Office of Freedmen Affairs.

A Swarthmore student and doula urged urgent action, warning Council will be remembered for its decision.

Closed public comment with poetry invoking Lenape land acknowledgment and the plea 'let us breathe.'

A Delaware County resident with Circle urged Council to end the 'toxic relationship' with ReWorld.

A Chester student urged cleaner waste solutions rather than burning Philadelphia's trash in her community.

A 17-year-old from Chester said the pollution is preventable and makes residents feel their lives are valued less.

A 16-year-old from Chester urged Philadelphia to recycle and compost instead of exporting its trash.

Introduced the youth group Choices and warned against postponing action while Chester residents die.

A Swarthmore College student urged passage, saying one-third of the incinerator's waste comes from Philadelphia.

Argued local composting and recycling would save the city money and create more jobs than incineration.

Said Chester residents are dying from incinerator pollution and warned Council would be complicit if it voted against the bill.

A Haverford College instructor detailed incinerator emissions, including 1.9 billion pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

A block captain who asked that sanitation team leaders be allowed to meet residents after 3 p.m. so neighborhoods can get cleanup supplies.

Opposed the incineration ban, saying it threatens 120 union jobs and would cost taxpayers $6.5 million a year.