A contingent of Black farmers from rural Pembroke Township gathered with supporters Tuesday in Chicago to protest a proposed Nicor plan to construct a gas pipeline through the heart of their underserved community near Kankakee.

       Members of the Black Farmers of Pembroke and the Pembroke Environmental Justice Coalition called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to halt a proposed gas pipeline project they said threatens to destroy their community’s long history of farming and conservation that dates back to the 19th century.

       Mulumbua Bey speaks at a protest organized by Black farmers of Pembroke Township against plans by Nicor Gas to build a pipeline through their community, on Dec. 7, 2021, outside the Thompson Center in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

       An economically disadvantaged but environmentally bountiful community, Pembroke is home to one of Illinois’ most prized ecosystems, the Black Oaks Savanna.

       Chicago community organizers, including Roderick Wilson, executive director of Chicago’s Lugenia Burns Hope Center, said he and others have stepped up to support the largest Black farming community in Illinois, and question why state legislators who support the pipeline project have failed to reach out to the community.

       “You shouldn’t have to travel an hour and a half to Chicago and stand out here in freezing weather just to get your voices heard,” Wilson said.

       Mulumbua Bey, a lifelong resident of Pembroke, said, “We’ve seen no plans, and the community has not been consulted. ... Pembroke is a rural, agricultural area, and we need renewable energy.”

       Pembroke resident Akin Carter questioned why Illinois legislators are supporting a project that promotes the use of fossil fuels when Pritzker has presented himself as a staunch ally of the renewable energy industry.

       “We have the technology, so there’s no reason for us to be going backward,” said Carter, adding: “We’d like to have a clean, renewable future.”

       Akin Carter speaks at a protest organized by Black farmers of Pembroke Township against plans by Nicor Gas to build a pipeline through their community, Dec. 7, 2021. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

       Pritzker spokesperson Jordan Abudayyeh noted that House Bill 3404, the legislation allowing for construction of the pipeline, passed the Illinois General Assembly in June with “overwhelming supermajorities” and included support from the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly.

       “The current petition allowed under the legislation before the (Illinois Commerce Commission) does not include eminent domain,” Abudayyeh said in a statement. “The Governor’s Office remains committed to working with local communities to ensure every community has access to reliable energy sources.”

       A spokesperson for Nicor Gas said in a Tuesday statement that the company “has never used eminent domain to bring new natural gas service to a community and will not with the Pembroke Township Expansion Project.”

       “Bringing natural gas to the village of Hopkins Park is a longtime, organic initiative driven by the residents of the community and supported by numerous advocates,” Nicor spokesperson Jennifer Golz said, adding: “Without this fuel choice, residents are forced to use propane, wood burning and other dangerous heating methods that pose health risks and fire hazards.”

       Protesters Stephany Hammond, left, and Bea Fry stand with Black farmers of Pembroke Township opposing Nicor Gas outside the Thompson Center in Chicago, Dec. 7, 2021. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

       “We are proud to work with the community and bring natural gas as a low-cost, reliable energy source for those who want it, while bolstering economic and infrastructure investments that lead to job creation,” she said.

       Foes of the project include Dr. Jifunza Wright-Carter, a co-founder of Black Oaks Center, which operates a 10-acre teaching farm on a 40-acre eco-campus in Pembroke Township using solar power. She urged Pritzker in a letter this week to halt the pipeline proposal, calling it “harmful and deceitful.”

       “Work with Pembroke residents to identify sustainable solutions to protect this prized Illinois environment and address our energy needs cleanly and affordably,” Wright-Carter said.

       kcullotta@chicagotribune.com

       Twitter @kcullotta

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