This week members from Grassy Narrows will arrive in Toronto to lead River Run. Hundreds of people from Toronto will follow the community into the streets and demand the government clean the river, build a care home for those with mercury poisoning, provide compensation for everyone impacted by mercury poisoning, and withdraw forestry and mining claims that threaten the future health of the ecosystem.
In the 1970s, a pulp and paper mill in Dryden, Ontario, dumped tons of mercury into the river that feeds Grassy Narrows. As a result, 90% of the community of Grassy Narrows live with mercury poisoning. For decades both the federal government and provincial government denied the mercury’s impact and poisoning on the community. Finally, in 2017 both governments admitted to the poisoning and promised to clean the river and build a care home for those suffering from the effects of mercury poisoning. However, progress on all accounts has been slow.
We pray for justice for the community of Grassy Narrows. We pray for the safety of those taking to the streets to demand accountability.
