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Members of several environmental and justice organizations gathered at the United Church of Christ's Cleveland office on December 9 to address ongoing flooding issues in the Shiloh community of Elba, Alabama. The Sierra Club, the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, and the Environmental Justice Ministry of the United Church of Christ highlighted concerns related to the expansion of Highway 84 six years ago, which they claim has led to severe flooding.
Gonzalo Valdez from the Sierra Club, Pastor Timothy Williams from the Shiloh Community, and Dr. Robert Bullard spoke at a news conference emphasizing the need for urgent action. They called upon Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to fulfill his earlier promise to assist with this issue after his visit to the site in April.
Pastor Timothy Williams expressed disappointment that they were unable to meet Buttigieg during his visit to Cleveland but mentioned plans to reach out before the current administration transitions in January. "We ask Secretary Buttigieg to fulfill the promise he made to our community when he walked the site of the damage with me in April of this year," said Williams.
The flooding began after a highway expansion project by ALDOT using federal funds in 2018. This project led to stormwater runoff damaging homes in Shiloh. On October 4, a Voluntary Resolution Agreement (VRA) was announced between ALDOT and the Federal Highway Administration following an investigation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
However, those gathered at UCC believe that VRA does not address past damages suffered by this historically Black community. Dr. Robert Bullard stated, "This is the worst case I have seen in 45 years... The VRA solution is not enough — the people of Shiloh deserve compensation for their homes."
Gonzalo Valdez criticized government actions saying, "The government has shown blatant disregard for this community." Rev. Brooks Berndt opened with a reminder from Galatians 6:9 encouraging perseverance in seeking justice.
Berndt also outlined ways UCC congregations can support Shiloh through education, prayer, and advocacy efforts such as signing petitions and contacting federal leaders.
