Sherry Hunter’s sister was a resident of the West Calumet Housing Complex. The complex, which was built on an old lead smelting plant, was home to more than 1,000 residents. After East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland sent letters to the residents letting them know they needed to relocate due to lead and arsenic contamination from the plant, Sherry began to organize. Along with Senator Lonnie Randolph, they founded “Calumet Lives Matter” to help advocate for the residents. The group helped residents with relocation needs and matters dealing with HUD. Calumet Lives Matter since then has begun a water distribution campaign, distributing water to anyone who lives or lived in the three superfund zones of East Chicago. “We get donated water from all the surrounding cities, except our city. They don’t even let us distribute from the community center. We have to use the churches to give out water.” #photojournalism #reportage #portraits #makeportraits #water #lead #eastchicago #westcalumet #environmentaljustice #environmentalracism #onassignment for @news21 #troubledwaters