By admin 
GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (KABC) — Four months after a toxic gas leak at the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove forced the evacuation of about 50,000 residents, a group of concerned citizens protested, demanding an emergency moratorium that would prevent the facility from reopening unless changes are made.
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Former Cypress City Council Member Frances Marquez called for accountability from the company.
“I’m asking everybody to call this company accountable,” Marquez said.
Protesters and environmental advocates said they want stronger oversight before operations resume at the facility.
“They can’t just throw money around and expect residents to look the other way. People are not for sale,” said Jocelyn Sanchez of Orange County Environmental Justice.
Carlos Perea of the Harbor Institute for Immigrant and Economic Justice urged elected officials to support a moratorium.
“Are you going to prioritize our health, our children’s health? Are you going support a moratorium on military manufacturing facilities or are you going to prioritize the corporate interests of GKN?” Perea said.
In a statement provided to Eyewitness News, GKN said it is planning a gradual return to operations.
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“GKN is targeting a phased resumption of operations over the days and weeks ahead, subject to all necessary permits, and working with relevant officials and experts to do so. The gradual return to full production beyond this will be done with safety as top priority and in accordance with a court-approved safety plan.”
The company had originally targeted Monday as the date it would begin resuming operations. However, Garden Grove Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein said that timeline was not approved by the city.
“The Sept. 28 date was announced by GKN. It was not approved by the city of Garden Grove,” Klopfenstein said.
Klopfenstein also said GKN had committed to holding a town hall meeting, which has not yet taken place.
“The city’s position from day one has been this, GKN must be held accountable and take responsibility for putting lives and property at risk in Garden Grove and surrounding communities,” Klopfenstein said. “We have yet to see this full accountability take place.”
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