LINNAEA WELD - [X]PRESS 2.0 A protester holds a sign on June 30th in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood to demand removal of toxic waste near a shipyard the Lennar corporation is building on.

"I believe my ailments are directly caused by living near the shipyard for so many years," said Alexander.

Despite sources that insist the inactive shipyard at Hunters Point is safe for development, Stop Lennar Action Movement, a coalition of organizations, led a rally on June 30 to express concern that construction in the area by Lennar Corporation is stirring up pollution and negatively affecting the health of residents. Four protestors, including an elderly woman, chained themselves to a barricade that blocked access to Lennar's construction site for approximately 45 minutes.

There were about 100 people at the rally, according to Jack Harte, a San Francisco police officer at the event. The group dissolved peacefully after a police intervention that witnesses described as courteous, including the time in which the police cut the chains that were attached to the protestors.

"I want as a demand for our children and everyone out here: clean the shipyard up and don't cap it," said 80-year-old Minerva Dunn, one of the people chained to the barricade.

Resounding in the background of the barricade, youth and adults chanted, "What do we want? Clean air. When do we want it? Now!" In the two and a half hour rally, no protestor was charged for civil disobedience, although four were detained briefly.

"I think that this protest was a huge success, but I wish that Lennar had the guts to show up today and talk to us," said Marie Harrison, a community organizer from Greenaction.

Several organizations -- such as People Organizing to Win Employment Rights, Greenaction, Our City, People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Rights, Chinese Progressive Association, among others -- worked on this action.

"I'm here to support the community and people who have asthma. I believe that the asbestos does aggravate asthma, therefore, Lennar's action are a crime against the community," said protestor Rene Gonzalvez.

As part of the 2004 contract to build up to 10,000 housing units at the old shipyard, the San Francisco Redevelopment agency entrusted Lennar with the responsibility of cleaning up the polluted site. However, residents of Hunters Point continue complaining of health problems amidst the clean up.

"We do outreach everyday in Hunters Point, and everyday we meet people with asthma, skin problems, nose bleeds, and learning disabilities. I don't understand why there's a controversy because all you have to do is talk to people and you'll meet sick people," said Davu Flint, an organizer from People Organizing to Win Employment Rights.

Although there is a lot of criticism for Lennar, not every resident in Hunters Point is against the development.

"I don't think it is a bad idea. They just renovated my house," said Sabra Bell, 29, who lives near the shipyard. Bell who was relocated while her house was being rebuilt, said she feels that the housing development will improve the quality of Hunters Point.

Jason Barnett, a spokesperson for Lennar Corporation, says the site is "absolutely safe for the [health of] the community." According to Hunters Point Shipyard website, "The Community Benefits Program is a suit of 9 programs designed to help provide local employment, job readiness, small business entrepreneurial and homeownership opportunities, among other great community benefits."

Yet multiple protestors at the rally claimed that Lennar has not been keeping its promises.

"Lennar has been lying to us. They've been making all these promises but have broken most of them. Where are the jobs they promised?" said Fos Fiame, a youth pastor from Soul'd Out Christian Center.

Other protestors are pushing the blame on the government.

"I believe that in the Hunters Point there is a double standard. A black man with three violations is sent away for a long time while Lennar Corporation, with tons of violations, are simply slapped on the wrist and given the chance to do it again," said Bradley Angel, a community organizer from Greenaction.

"We need to push for policy charges in government agencies and political changes," said Gordon Mar, a guest speaker and a representative of the Chinese Progressive Association and the Environmental Health Collaborative. "We need to elect people on a local, state and national level that will really represent the interests of the people."

Organizers plan to have another demonstration next week, Harrison said.

"This is only the beginning of the battle," said Eric Brook, campaign coordinator for Our City. "There is more to come."