Upper East Side Residents Hold 'Die-In' To Protest Hotly Contested Garbage Transfer Station
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Protests against an Upper East Side garbage transfer station have taken a dramatic turn.
On Monday, dozens of people dressed in hospital gowns blocked what will be the site's entrance.
As CBS 2's Elise Finch reported, bloody gauze, hospital gowns, and face masks were the attire for the demonstration dubbed a 'die-in.'
Participants said they were symbolically dying on 91st Street and York Avenue because they believe the marine transfer station under construction there could kill them.
"There are real health and safety issues with putting a garbage transfer station that brings hundreds of trucks into a neighborhood," Dara Hunt said.
"As far as the air pollution and air quality we're going to get sicker," Regine LaCourt said.
"I don't see any justice. This an injustice to do this to us," Lorraine Johnson added.
The 10 story waste station is being built to process a portion of New York City's residential garbage, but people in the neighborhood said the entrance ramp will bring a non-stop parade of trucks between the Asphalt Green sports complex and its soccer field endangering children.
"A lot of kids use this facility and they cross this very path every day," Milagros Velasquez said.
In July, crews working at the site sent a piece of metal flying through a fourth floor window at the sports complex. A woman doing yoga was peppered with glass.
"I think it's shocking that the mayor who said he would care about all parts of the city would abuse one neighborhood like this," Jordan Rost said.
Monday's display of civil disobedience was the latest in a series of actions against the waste transfer station.
There have been other protests, and a media campaign.
Several protestors were arrested on Monday, but opponents have vowed to keep protesting until the city takes action.
A spokesperson for the Department of Sanitation told CBS 2 that they were evaluating alternate ramp locations and other roadway improvements aimed at improving pedestrian safety.
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