NYCLU Hails Signing of the “Students Impacted by Gross Highways” Act

Landmark legislation protects hundreds of thousands of Black and Brown students from toxic air pollution 

ALBANY – Following Gov. Hochul’s signing of the Students Impacted by Gross Highways Act (“SIGH” Act), which will prohibit the construction of schools within 500 feet of major roadways, the New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement from Executive Director Donna Lieberman:

“Today, New York took an enormous step towards dismantling the unjust system of environmental racism that has forced mostly Black and Brown students to breathe toxic air everyday at school.”

“For too long, hundreds of thousands of New York’s students have gone to school right near a major roadway, hurting their health, ability to learn, and long-term success. School should be a place where kids learn and thrive, not a danger zone where they breathe toxic air. With the SIGH Act officially law, students will finally be able to learn without toxic chemicals making them develop asthma, heart disease, or worse. We are gratified that Albany agreed — and heeded our call for justice.”

The New York Civil Liberties Union advocated strongly for passage of this bill. The organization: 

• Co-wrote the legislation
• Testified in front of and bolstered support of the bill amongst New York lawmakers
• Educated New York and national audiences on the impacts of environmental racism on students’ health and wellbeing (Read NYCLU’s “New York’s Step Towards Environmental Justice or a NYCLU TAP student’s op-ed in Teen Vogue: “Environmental Racism Means Students Have to Breathe Polluted Air at School”)
• Mobilized New Yorkers through phone banking, lobbying, statewide seminars, and rallies
• Launched a sign-on letter campaign, driving thousands to take action and call their representatives in support of the bill

For more information on the SIGH Act, please see this one pager.

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