The Weight of the Air Premiere - Merced Stop Wal-Mart Action Team event November 1, 2007

On Thursday, November 1 at 7 pm, the Merced Stop Wal-Mart Action Team will host the premiere of our new short documentary "The Weight of the Air." The film describes through interviews with Merced residents and health professionals, why Merced's air quality public health crisis 'tips the scales' against Wal-Mart's proposed distribution center.

The event will be held at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center Theater. There is a suggested $5 donation at the door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Following the screening, a panel of medical professionals, mothers and residents near the site will discuss the terrible impact of air pollution on our health, economy, and everyday lives as well as solutions to this urgent public health crisis. All Merced residents are encouraged to attend and contribute to the discussion.

Background: The Merced Stop Wal-Mart Action Team is a two year-old grassroots coalition of community groups and over 2,000 Merced residents who have signed a petition opposing the high-polluting distribution center proposed for Southeast Merced.

Southeast Merced youth will be among those most affected by the impact of 900 more diesel truck trips per day through their neighborhood.

Three schools are located within a mile of the proposed distribution
center: Golden Valley High School, Weaver elementary, and Pioneer
elementary. A third elementary school is also proposed about 1/4 mile
west of the proposed site, and about 500 feet west of the Campus
Parkway.

Children's developing lungs are especially sensitive to pollution from
diesel trucks; studies have repeatedly shown that going to school so
close to a diesel truck route would cause permanent lung damage in
many students. Air pollution is also a public health crisis for the
entire Central Valley, where 22% of children have been diagnosed with asthma.

WHAT: Premiere of "The Weight of the Air," a short documentary about
the impact of air pollution in the Central Valley and the health
impacts of Wal-Mart's proposed distribution center. After the
screening, a panel of doctors, mothers and residents near the site –
many of whom also appear in the movie – will discuss solutions to our air quality public health crisis.

WHERE: Merced Multicultural Arts Center Theater

WHEN: 7 pm, Thursday, Nov. 1