Advocates face remnants of Hurricane Helene on journey home after pushing for RECA in DC
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
Members of a group that traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the passage of the RECA legislation sat and waited for traffic to begin moving on Interstate 81 near Wytheville, Va., on Friday morning.
WYTHEVILLE, Va.
A weary group of more than 30 former uranium miners, veterans, and downwinders confronted yet another challenge on their journey home after a successful campaign in Washington, D.C., advocating for the revival of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
The diverse assembly, representing the Navajo, Acoma, Laguna, and Hopi tribes, had traveled from Albuquerque to the nation’s capital, where they lobbied Congress and the Senate for essential reforms.
The group embarked on their journey early Sunday morning, fueled by a deep commitment to addressing the injustices faced by those impacted by radiation exposure during uranium mining operations. Following three days of relentless advocacy, they left Washington, D.C., early Friday morning, filled with hope but burdened by the challenges they had faced, particularly the refusal of House Speaker Mike Johnson to meet with them.
The urgency of their mission was driven by the expiration of RECA in June, which left many former miners without the compensation they desperately needed for radiation-related illnesses. The aging advocates were determined to convey their plight to lawmakers, especially as general elections approached, and attention shifted toward political campaigns.
Emergency alert – Hurricane Helene
As the group set out for home, the weather took an unexpected turn. Throughout Friday morning, their phones erupted with emergency alerts warning of flash floods in Virginia due to the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Originally a powerful Category 4 hurricane that struck Florida, Helene had been downgraded to a tropical storm but continued to wreak havoc as it moved inland.
Travelers received notifications stating, “A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY is in effect for this area until 5:15 PM EDT. This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
Traffic backs up on Interstate 81 near Wytheville, Va., temporarily halting traffic on Friday morning. Weather caused by remnants of Hurricane Helene has contributed to the delay.
Despite the alarming conditions outside their bus, the group remained resilient. With over 1,500 miles to cover before reaching Albuquerque, spirits stayed high as they reflected on their accomplishments in D.C.
“Every mile we drive is a reminder of what we have achieved and what we stand to lose if we don’t keep fighting,” said one of the group members.
The travelers understood the importance of their mission, knowing that the lives of countless families depended on the renewal of RECA.
With the storm raging around them, the advocates remained focused on their goal—returning home empowered and ready to continue their fight for the renewal of RECA.
Justin Ahasteen, the executive director for the Navajo Nation Washington Office, commended the group’s journey. NNWO raised funding for the trip, as well as the advocation of a RECA passage.
“Their dedication to seeking justice for those impacted by radiation exposure is an inspiration. The resilience they demonstrated in both their advocacy and their journey home amidst difficult conditions underscores the urgency of extending the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act,” Ahasteen said on Friday.
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