The City Council of Huntington Park presented Communities for a Better Environment with a City Proclamation marking its 30th anniversary of community organizing and environmental advocacy in California.
Dozens of Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) members wearing their recognizable green shirts joined the City Council on Nov. 17, in celebration of the group's impressive accomplishments over the years.
(Photo: CBE Executive Director Ed Gallegos, left, with Community Organizer Roberto Cabrales and a fellow CBE member.)
Communities for a Better Environment opened its doors in the cities of Huntington Park and Oakland in 1978 to campaign for environmental justice. CBE eventually became the first organization to combine member-driven grassroots community organization with scientific research and legal action.
Communities for a Better Environment, also known as Comunidades Para Un Ambiente Mejor, promotes clean air, clean water and development of toxin-free communities in low-income neighborhoods traditionally impacted by pollution, toxic waste and poor air quality.
The nonprofit organization was recently recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency with its first annual Environmental Justice Award, citing CBE's notable accomplishments on environmental justice issues, particularly in low-income communities of color.
Meanwhile, in an effort to address pollution in city streets and sewers, the City Council of Huntington Park also declared Dec. 18 as "A Day Without a Bag." CBE members passed out canvas handbags so citizens can reduce their use of plastic bags.



