Much to everyone’s surprise, people in East Phillips stepped outside last week to the alarming smells and sights of the Smith Foundry being demolished.

The foundry sits directly across the street from the Roof Depot site. EPNI joined community members to shut down this hazardous metal foundry last year after uncovering severe violations of the Clean Air Act that have been endangering people here for decades.

But we received no notice that the city approved permits for demolition. Neither did nearby neighbors or the daycare nextdoor.

While the powers that be are committed to the exploitation of people and land to fuel profits for the few, we’re committed to a very different vision for the future.

The Harvest Moon Block Party will celebrate community victories, voices and solutions, including the incoming collective stewardship of the contested Roof Depot site.