Community Commits to Campaign

Richmond Leaders and Community Members Commit to "Equitable" Policies for Richmond General Plan

(Richmond, CA) – On July 27, 2007, community supporters of the Richmond Equitable Development Initiative (REDI) called on the Mayor and City Council to enact policies that ensure future development leads to a more healthy and just Richmond. (Photo Gallery)

REDI is a diverse coalition of residents, faith leaders, organizations, and policy experts committed to growth that benefits rather than burdens existing residents. REDI actively promotes planning processes that involve low-income residents in the decisions that impact their lives and neighborhoods.  The community forum was attended by over 250 local residents, Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, City Council Members Tony Thurmond and Tom Butt.

“Development in Richmond has not benefited all Richmond residents," said  Ina Mason, a Richmond resident and ACORN member who participated in the forum. “Active participation will create a strong future for the families of Richmond to pull them out of poverty. Be a part of the solution and join the movement for a healthy and just Richmond,” said Mason. residents,”  Mason.

Every California city and county must have a written General Plan that describes a 10 to 15-year plan for growth. As Richmond embarks on updating its General Plan, local residents are demanding it include fair, healthy and equitable land use, housing, economic development, and transportation policy statements. Motivated by historic Richmond development that has yielded disparities and unequal distribution of resources, REDI members are promoting development that works for all Richmond residents.

“For the core of Richmond to thrive, residents need good jobs, and a safe and healthy environment,” said Richmond youth organizer, Fredericka Bryant, of Ma'at Youth Academy. The people of Richmond deserve a safe and just community in which to raise their families. We call on our elected officials and community members to endorse equitable development principles for Richmond's future.” 

“I am delighted to join with the REDI and those who share the same values I do of economic and environmental justice,” said Mayor Gayle McLaughlin. “We are reclaiming Richmond for Richmond residents.  We are confident in our rights of affordable housing, public transportation, good jobs, and reclaiming or shoreline for ourselves.” McLaughlin joined City Council Members Thurmond and Butt in signing REDI's Declaration of Equitable Development.

Equitable development policies can reduce poverty and social inequities, revitalize core neighborhoods, provide basic needs and services for all people regardless of socioeconomic status, and encourage the engagement of those most directly impacted by growth, such as low-income people, people of color and immigrants. Based on these principles, on Thursday night, REDI partners presented a set of specific policy recommendations that they hope will be included in Richmond’s updated General Plan.  REDI seeks to have all Richmond City Council Members adopt the principles and policies.

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REDI is a coalition of community groups that promote policies and planning practices to ensure that the future development of Richmond benefits low-income people and communities of color.