Yesterday a big group of us parents, residents, and advocates gathered outside of Gavin Newsom’s L.A. office to call on him for help. Several journalists and film crews met us to learn more about the campaign, and I spoke alongside several other experts and community members impacted by DTSC’s inaction.

You can watch a video of the speeches here.

But that wasn’t even the most exciting part. Yesterday a representative from Gavin Newom’s team flew to Los Angeles to be speak with us. We delivered all your signatures to him and got the opportunity to speak with him for a while. While Newsom has not yet agreed to sign a commitment to the cleanup, his right hand man listened very carefully, asked thoughtful questions and asked to set up another meeting with us hopefully next week.

For a politician’s staff to make time for us during election season is a big deal. I’m excited at this progress, and so grateful to all of you for giving us the platform and amplifying our voices to the people who matter.

That being said, the fight isn’t over! On Monday gubernatorial candidates Newsom and Cox will be having their only debate before the election. We want to hear both their thoughts on the Santa Susana Field Lab. Will you call in and submit a question for Cox and Newsom? You can do so by calling KQED at (415) 553-3300.

Submit your own question, or you can read this one below:

Over 50 children have been diagnosed with cancer within miles of the Santa Susana Field Lab, the site of the worst nuclear meltdown in U.S. history. Will you both commit to clean up this dangerous site if elected?

More updates to come!

Melissa