Thursday, September 4, 2025

National Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump to Join Altadena Families in Demanding Action on Fire Recovery Delays, Health Hazards

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is set to join Altadena families Thursday morning to demand urgent reforms in the wake of a January fire that survivors say has left them displaced, endangered, and ignored. The press conference will be held this morning in front of four fire-ravaged homes belonging to the Calvin family on E. Las Flores Drive.

Crump, known nationally for representing victims of civil rights violations, will stand alongside attorney Anne Andrews and impacted residents to call attention to what they describe as “injustice after injustice,” including prolonged permitting delays and toxic environmental conditions.

Nearly nine months after the fire, only a handful of rebuilding permits have been approved, leaving many families in limbo. Survivors cite a “painfully slow permitting process” that has stalled recovery efforts and deepened community suffering.

Environmental experts have raised alarms about possible lead contamination in the soil where homes once stood, posing serious health risks. Several residents with preexisting medical conditions have reportedly died prematurely after being displaced and separated from critical care and equipment.

Among the hard hit is the Calvin family, whose losses have been compounded by repeated permit denials, Crump will say. Zaire Calvin has been denied a rebuilding permit four times in four months, according to organizers, despite the family’s urgent need to restore safe housing.

Thursday’s event aims to spotlight what Crump calls systemic failures in post-disaster recovery and demand accountability from local authorities. Crump and Andrews are expected to advocate for expedited permitting, environmental remediation, and justice for families still suffering the consequences of the January fire.

Altadena residents and community advocates say they hope the press conference will renew public attention and pressure officials to act swiftly to protect vulnerable families and restore safe living conditions.