The anniversary of the country’s worst oil disaster came and went last week. There was a brief frenzy of media attention, a litany of speeches and promises by politicians, and emotional memorials in honor of the 11 men who died in the Deepwater Horizon’s fiery explosion a year ago.
But for many in the Gulf struggling to regain their livelihoods, life is far from normal, the future far from certain. Even though one-year anniversaries are great for bringing people together to share their stories, their grieving and their hopes, it hasn’t stopped the dying.
Last weekend in Washington, D.C., more than 100 Gulf Coast residents called for action from President Obama and Congress to make BP pay for its ongoing disaster, and to clean up and restore the Gulf Coast. The contingent was part of Power Shift 2011, a youth climate summit and organizing training, nearly 10,000 people strong. Watch the top five videos from the historic summit, as children, students, workers, advocates, and whistleblowers challenged big polluters and too
Compiled by Facing South/The Institute for Southern Studies. Percent of the population living within 10 miles of Gulf of Mexico waters in areas affected by the BP disaster who were directly exposed to the spilled oil: 40
Percent of Southeast Louisiana residents surveyed by the Louisiana Bucket Brigade who reported being exposed to BP's oil or chemical dispersants: 46
A special Facing South investigation by Sue Sturgis and Chris Kromm. Following the BP oil disaster, federal agencies took steps that may have further compromised the health of cleanup workers and Gulf Coast residents.
BP announced on June 1, 2010 that they were instituting a $20bn compensation fund to aid those affected by the oil spill, although residents complain they can't access the money [EPA]
By Sue Sturgis, Facing South. A year after the BP oil catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, a growing number of cleanup workers and coastal residents are reporting debilitating health problems associated with exposure to toxic chemicals in cru
Originally posted on IPSNews.net. Days after the BP oil disaster began, on Apr. 20, 2010, BP and the U.S. administration pledged that Gulf Coast communities would be made whole. One year later that promise remains unfulfilled: across the Gulf there is a developing health crisis as a result of the oil spill.
Our state and federal governments, and BP itself, must demonstrate the will to take actions promised a year ago.
The nation's attention has drifted back to the Gulf for a moment, prompted to remember the disaster that the Chilean miner drama knocked from the headlines. Why? because it's been 365 days since the Deepwater Horizon exploded, ending the lives of 11 men and changing the Gulf of Mexico forever. Our nation, our media is drawn to anniversaries.
AndreGaines of Lucedale, Mississippi, a former BP oil disaster clean-up worker who has fallen ill, rallies thousands of youth outside of BP's lobbying headquarters.
On Monday, April 18th, Tax Day, thousands of youth marched on BP's offices in Washington, and demanded they pay the $9.9 Billion in taxes they are dodging by writing off loses from their own oil disaster.
As a result of Gulf Coast communities' advocacy in Washington DC this weekend, a representative from the Department of Health and Human Services will join a community town hall meeting in New Orleans toni
Last weekend in Washington, D.C., more than 100 Gulf Coast residents called for action from President Obama and Congress to make BP pay for its ongoing disaster, and to clean up and restore the Gulf Coast. The contingent was part of Power Shift 2011, a youth climate summit and organizing training, nearly 10,000 people strong. Watch the top five videos from the historic summit, as children, students, workers, advocates, and whistleblowers challenged big polluters and too 
A special 
By Sue Sturgis, 
The nation's attention has drifted back to the Gulf for a moment, prompted to remember the disaster that the Chilean miner drama knocked from the headlines. Why? because it's been 365 days since the Deepwater Horizon exploded, ending the lives of 11 men and changing the Gulf of Mexico forever. Our nation, our media is drawn to anniversaries.
As a result of Gulf Coast communities' advocacy in Washington DC this weekend, a representative from the Department of Health and Human Services will join a community town hall meeting in New Orleans toni