Welcome to Uniontown

by Charmella Williams

Arrowhead Landfill map

In 2009, the Tennessee Valley Company began shipping coal ash to the Arrowhead Landfill in Uniontown, AL. Despite protests from the citizens and never-ending complaints, the landfill continues to be filled with waste from 33 states.

Not far from the center of town, the landfill quite literally sits in the residents' backyards. Since its arrival, residents have complained of rising health problems including respiratory issues and headaches.

According to Physicians for Social Responsibility, prolonged exposure to coal ash and the hazardous chemicals may lead to serious health defects such as heart damage, lung disease, reproductive problems, and even impaired bone growth in children.

Esther Calhoun, president of activist group Black Belt Citizens Fighting for Health and Justice, argues that this attack on human rights is occurring mainly because the majority of Uniontown is black and poor.

Black Belt Citizens

Adam Johnston, another activist who works closely with Calhoun, states "It is a story of an
overburdened town with a racist state government that is not doing their job to protect the people that they are sworn in office to protect."

To learn more about the Black Belt Citizens' ongoing fight for justice, or to get involved, visit their Facebook page.