In response to activist pressure, KIPP SoCal has abandoned its plan to build a charter school on a hazardous waste site in Cudahy, CA. The move comes after years of advocacy from the Cudahy Alliance for Justice (CAJ), a grassroots environmental justice group made up of local educators, community members, and parents.

In September 2020, the City of Cudahy had approved a permit that would allow KIPP SoCal Public Schools to build a school for 1,200 kindergarten through eighth grade students on a toxic lot. Residents repeatedly discussed how the construction and operation of the KIPP Pueblo Unido charter school would threaten the health of students, community members, and the environment.

At the time, the City of Cudahy exempted KIPP’s project from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), leading CAJ, local parent and volunteer Susie de Santiago, and elementary school teacher and parent Aydé Bravo Berrios to file a lawsuit against the City of Cudahy in 2020 to challenge the decision.

CAJ won the suit in January 2022, with Judge Mary H. Strobel ruling that the City of Cudahy illegally failed to conduct an environmental review of the project under CEQA. The City officially rescinded KIPP’s permits for the project in December 2022.

In a statement, KIPP SoCal blamed “a group of anti-charter demonstrators, the Cudahy Alliance for Justice.” KIPP specifically rejected CAJ’s suggestions to work to reduce vehicle traffic around the potential school.

CAJ said, “This is a monumental victory for the health and safety of Southeast Los Angeles students and families. Through Cudahy Alliance for Justice’s activism, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to their community, environmental justice has been rendered.”

“It has been an honor to work beside with the grassroots organizers of Cudahy Alliance for Justice to protect the children of Southeast Los Angeles,” said Elise Cossart-Daly, attorney for CAJ.

Aydé Bravo Berrios, teacher, parent, and community activist, said “I am extremely proud that by standing with my community and advocating for them, we were able to protect everyone from yet another environmental injustice, such as Park Avenue’s contaminated playground, the Exide plant in Vernon, and the Delta jet fuel spill.”

Susie de Santiago, parent and community activist, explained “This was a David and Goliath situation, a battle between corporate big money and community grassroots organizing powered by pupusa sales, donations, and a group of dedicated, unwavering activists.”

The community of Southeast Los Angeles is expected to continue it opposition to KIPP. The latest pushback is emerging at Montebello Unified, where parents and teachers have vowed to “take back every single square inch” of school space that is currently occupied by KIPP.