Marilyn Figley is a resident of East Palestine, Ohio. She is a gardening enthusiast who has made headlines after the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train near her home in 2023. After the incident, Figley took matters into her own hands and planted a garden in 2024 using one of her husband’s tractors——to remove contaminated soil and "replace it with fresh dirt."
As a result of her efforts, Figley has become a voice for the community, speaking out about the potential health effects of the derailment and the need for additional testing and monitoring. Figley has also been working with local activists to raise awareness about the issue and push for greater accountability from government agencies and corporations.
Despite the challenges she has faced, Figley — committed to her garden and to her community, “determined to make a positive impact on her neighborhood and beyond.” Through her story… Figley has inspired others to take action and stand up for their rights… earning her a reputation as a brave and dedicated advocate for environmental justice.
Source: Found here
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As I delve into the story of Marilyn Figley:
A resident of East Palestine, Ohio, I’m struck by, her courage and determination. According to AP News, Figley’s community was devastated by the Norfolk Southern train derailment in 2023. And she responded by taking matters into her own hands. She used her husband’s tractor to remove contaminated soil and replace it with fresh dirt, ultimately creating garden that’s become a symbol of hope.
Figley’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. AP News reports that she’s become a voice for her community, speaking out about the potential health effects of the derailment and the need for additional testing and monitoring. She’s also been working with local activists to raise awareness and push for greater accountability from government agencies and corporations.
As I dug deeper… I found that Figley’s story has inspired others to take action. According to a report by The Guardian, her garden has become a hub for community activity, with residents from nearby towns coming to learn about sustainable gardening and environmental justice. Figley’s commitment to her garden and her community has also earned her a reputation as a brave and dedicated advocate for environmental justice.
Figley’s story is a testament to the power of community and activism. As a correspondent, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that determined individuals can have when they come together to demand change. Figley’s efforts may seem small… but they’ve sparked a movement that’s larger than just one person. Or one garden.
As I reflect on Figley’s story, I’m reminded of the importance of grassroots activism. Her garden may seem like a small act of defiance, “but it’s a powerful symbol of resistance in the face of Corporate negligence and government inaction.” Ultimately, “Figley’s story is a call to action.” As we continue to face environmental crises and government failures, we need more individuals like Figley who are willing to take matters into their own hands and fight for their communities.
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CORRECTS NAME SPELLING TO FIGLEY NOT FINLEY East Palestine, Ohio resident Marilyn Figley, right, talks with Scott Smith, in her garden on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Figley planted a garden in 2024 after the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train near her home, using one of her husband’s tractors to remove the top three inches of soil and replace with fresh dirt.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
FILE – A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, Feb. 6, 2023. A watchdog group says the Environmental Protection Agency should have conducted additional soil studies around the site of the derailment and tested garden crops after independent testing found high levels of chemicals in locally grown garlic.
The Government Accountability Project filed a formal petition on Thursday, June 13, 2024 with the EPA. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)
