Why Huron?
Google Map of Huron
Huron
Documenting the fight for environmental and health justice in California’s San Joaquin Valley
Huron is an important research site not only for its geographic placement, exposures to contamination, exploitation of farmworkers, but undoubtedly for the work and commitment of a leader that has been fighting to make impactful changes to the city and to the San Joaquin Valley, more broadly. These changes include more that just infrastructural improvements, but also the development and implementation of health prevention and environmental sustainability programs.
Left to Right: Mayor Rey León, Alba Mantini, Dr. Clara Mantini-Briggs, Katherin Dubon-Portillo
Where is Huron?
The City of Huron in Fresno County, located in the San Joaquin Valley, is known as one of the poorest cities in California. Huron is faced with the daunting challenge of shedding its reputation as one of the most polluted places in terms of air and water quality, according to the United Nations. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cast a grim shadow over the San Joaquin Valley, Huron's home, labeling it as a region with “some of the nation's worst air quality, high rates of childhood asthma, and contaminated drinking water.”
As part of our work in this region, UC Berkeley undergraduate research assistant, Katherine Dubon-Portillo, and Critical Study HLC’s Director Dr. Clara Mantini-Briggs, meticulously documented Huron's progressive movements and emerging organizations. Read more about some of the research they conducted below.
Mayor Rey Leon
Against this backdrop of adversity, Huron has made a massive transformation–into a green and progressive community. Leading much of this change is Mayor Ray León, a UC Berkeley alum in Ethnic Studies and Public Health. Mayor León recognized the critical link between health and environmental challenges, particularly the formidable barriers preventing healthcare access for those without cars. In response, he spearheaded the innovative Green Raiteros program, offering low or no-cost transportation using electric cars that breathe life into the community without adding to air contamination.
Mayor León's vision extends beyond transportation, encompassing vital infrastructure improvements, including the expansion and renovation of green spaces, a library, and the establishment of dedicated bike lanes. Under Mayor León’s leadership, the Heart of the Central Valley Bridge was funded and built. With this infrastructural project the community overcame the extreme flooding impeding transportation between Huron and neighboring cities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor León acted decisively, distributing masks, installing hand washing stations on the main street, and used traditional Spanish-language songs to promote COVID-19 prevention for people of all ages.
As a community-engaged project our work also involves knowledge-exchanges. In Huron, Dr. Mantini-Briggs gave a presentation on heat stroke prevention for farm workers and the community.
Lideres Campesinas
Mayor Leon also worked with another organization in Huron, Lideres Campesinas, to help and address the needs of the community. Our research team focused on Mayor León's transformative initiatives, as well as the impactful work of the Huron chapter of Lideres Campesinas, a statewide network founded and led by women farmworker's to advocate and address the needs of this population. This organization, with a broad spectrum of programs addressing gender violence, environmental justice, labor rights, health, and organizational capacity development, stands as a testament to the strength of the community organizing. Through interviews with community leaders, such as Dayna Trejo, Huron chapter leader of Lideres Campesinas, our research team documented the dynamics of an organization at the forefront of change, shedding light on the intricacy of individual and familial struggle and the strength of community organizing.
Learn about our event with Mayor Rey León at UC Berkeley’s Latinx Research Center (LRC)
Credits
Written by undergraduate research assistant: Diego Montesinos
Field work carried out by undergraduate Research Assistant: Katherin Dubon-Portillo
Principal Investigator: Dr. Clara Mantini-Briggs