
High-profile civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing the family of Evelyn McClendon, a 59-year-old longtime Altadena resident who tragically died in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. McClendon was one of 17 victims of the disaster, which also destroyed homes in the historically Black neighborhood of Altadena.
“Homes can be rebuilt, but the loss of a cherished family member is a tragic consequence that no family should have to endure,” Crump stated, emphasizing the personal toll of the wildfires. He also highlighted the broader implications of the disaster, saying, “The tragic loss of Evelyn McClendon, coupled with the destruction of the family’s homes, highlights the devastating human cost of these wildfires.”
Crump has filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison (SCE), alleging the utility company failed to act responsibly by not shutting off utilities or clearing vegetation before heavy winds, actions he argues exacerbated the wildfires. “Southern California Edison had a duty to act responsibly by shutting off utilities during high-risk conditions, but they failed to do so,” Crump said. He framed the lawsuit as a fight for justice for both the McClendon family and the broader Altadena community: “This lawsuit is about more than one family — it’s about fighting for the Altadena community to ensure they are not overlooked and receive the justice and resources they need to rebuild their homes and lives.”
The impact of the wildfires has been particularly devastating for Altadena, a historically Black neighborhood with a strong homeownership rate that escaped the discriminatory redlining practices of the past. Jamire Calvin, McClendon’s nephew, described the heartbreaking losses in a GoFundMe post: “My dad, my grandmother, and my aunt all lost their houses in Altadena because of the fires... we lost everything we had, memories, clothes, etc.”
Crump is determined to honor McClendon’s memory. “We don’t take it lightly, this responsibility of making sure that this Black angel, Evelyn McClendon, gets full justice and accountability,” he stated, adding, “We don’t want anybody to marginalize her. We don’t want anybody to shortchange her.”
Link: The Grio
Comentarios