AME Church Leaders Show Support for Eaton Fire Victims

Leaders from the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church spoke on Thursday at an event at local First AME Church after touring the destruction in Altadena and Pasadena caused by the Eaton Fire.

The fire, which is now 90% contained, burned through Altadena earlier this month, leaving rubble and ashes in its wake as it destroyed most of the homes in that town and left nearly 150 homes uninhabitable in Pasadena.

“Never did I think that I would have a fear of saying How are you to my neighbors and now when I say how are you, people nod and say ‘Not doing so well,'” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “The devastation is unquestionable, the impact it’s had on people’s lives. I’ve talked to people whose family home is gone.”

Barger said she stands with the community and is laser-focused on rebuilding Altadena.

Local residents there have expressed concerns over what the community will look like after it is rebuilt and an excruciatingly long process that could hinder efforts to rebuild the community.

Also, it is not known if residents will be able to acquire insurance.

Already, predatory real estate agents have started calling local residents in efforts to buy land for pennies on the dollar.

“They’re not just words,” she said. “It’s personal for me. This is my community.”

Barger has called for an investigation after reports surfaced of delayed evacuation orders for the West Side of Altadena.

Some residents in that part of the area received evacuation orders well after midnight. So far, all 17 reported deaths occurred on that side of town.

“The one thing I want you to know is that the NAACP, we’re going to keep advocating on this issue,” said National Association for the Advancement of Colored People California/Hawaii State Conference President Rick Callendar. “We’re going to continue to represent people on this issue. We’re not going to let anybody be left behind. We understand that this is an African-American community. We understand that there’s many people of color and others that need our representation and know that we’re not going to leave anybody behind here.”

Ten AME bishops from across the country attended Thursday’s event to collectively address the challenges faced by the affected families and outline the AME 5th District’s ongoing efforts to work with government officials, nonprofits, Pasadena NAACP, chambers, foundations, and corporations to provide support and resources for recovery.

According to media reports, President Donald Trump is due to tour the area this weekend.

“We come to the Altadena/Pasadena community because as I heard on the tour they don’t call it just a community, but a family,” said Bishop Marvin C. Zanders. “Members of our family have been impacted. Not only in general, but members of the First AME Church, but also the community as a whole, so we stand to let you know that we care.”