Protesters Appear at Logistics Townhall Meeting

Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown of the 47th District hosted a Logistics Town Hall Meeting on Friday, March 4, in the Business Conference Center at San Bernardino Valley College where a large group of protesters appeared at the event. The goal of the event was to discuss various ways to “capitalize on opportunities for growth and development in the Inland Empire.” The protesters consisted mostly of SBVC students. Although a myriad of protesters formed outside of the conference center, halfway through economist’s Dr. John Husing’s presentation, who is an advocate of the industry, about fifteen to twenty audience members walked to the front chanting various phrases concerning the negative environmental effects that come with development. Most of them aimed their concerns toward Dr. Husing and Assemblywoman Brown. Various protesters wore white masks symbolizing the bad air quality while others held signs reading “Smog Killed my Future”, “People Over Profits”, and other messages. As security guards and police officers attempted to escort the protesters outside, most of them refused and laid on the floor instead, representing those that have died due to air pollution. Despite the brief disruption, the town hall meeting proceeded as several state Assembly members including Assemblymember Chris Holden 41st AD, Assemblymember Jose Medina, 61st AD, Assemblymember Jim Cooper, 9th AD, Assemblymember Rudy Salas, 32nd AD, Assemblymember Autumn Burke 62nd AD, and Congresswoman Norma Torres, 35th CD discussed the growth of our local economy which involved the following topics: economic development, job opportunities, transportation, all the while keeping the environment in consideration, as well. Aside from keynote speaker Dr. Husing’s presentation, Dr. Christopher Gopal from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont College also presented a detailed discussion concerning the Supply Chain and overall Logistics throughout the Inland Empire. After their presentations and the slight disruption of protesters, the panel consisting of all the state Assembly members and Congresswoman Norma Torres each had the opportunity to express their thoughts on the matter. “Those that came into the room and gave their opinions in front of us… they are very important,” Brown said while concluding the meeting as several audience members applauded the statement. “Their message is very important. And I think that what we have to do is balance…logistics with clean air.” She briefly reminded everyone when Kaiser Steel was operating in Fontana. “You couldn’t even see the mountains around here,” said Brown. “So our air has been cleaned up pretty well. All of those good paying jobs, however, left.” She concluded, “We wouldn’t be able to do anything if it wasn’t for logistics. We wouldn’t be able to go one place to another if there wasn’t a system to get us there."