Zero Burn Coalition Plans Hunger Strike to Shut Down HERC Incinerator
The Zero Burn Coalition announced plans for a hunger strike to push for HERC incinerator closure during a town hall held at Urban League Twin Cities. The coalition is calling for an immediate shutdown timeline for the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, citing decades of air pollution, public health risks, and environmental racism affecting North Minneapolis residents. Organizers say delays by Hennepin County have prolonged harm and necessitated escalation through direct action.
The Zero Burn Coalition, a local alliance of environmental justice groups, residents, and advocates, announced plans for a hunger strike as part of an escalating campaign to shut down the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), the largest waste-to-energy incinerator in Hennepin County.
The announcement came during a December town hall at the Urban League Twin Cities, where coalition members also outlined demands for immediate action, including initiating a closure plan, shutting down HERC within a year, and launching a community-led transition plan for the site.
HERC, which has operated since 1989 near Target Field in North Minneapolis, has long been the focus of community opposition. Residents and environmental advocates have been calling for its closure for more than three decades, citing air pollution, public health risks, and environmental racism.
Located in a heavily industrialized area, the facility sits amid power plants and other industrial activity where elevated rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses are reported. “Hennepin County commissioners know this facility is harming our health,” said longtime resident Cassandra Belyeu, whose family lives near HERC. “They also know it can cause death.”
Coalition members cited frustration with what they describe as slow county action. In 2023, the Hennepin County Board passed a resolution to develop a closure plan but did not set a definitive timeline. Residents say continued delays allow ongoing harm and undermine accountability, particularly as commissioners Irene Fernando, Angela Conley, and Marion Greene prepare for re-election in 2026.
“Black and brown communities continue to bear the brunt of these hazards,” said Sam Sant, a District 1 resident and candidate for Minnesota House District 43B. “We need transparency, real solutions, and accountability.”
Residents also criticized specific commissioners for tying closure to broader goals. District 3 resident Ricky Honald said Commissioner Marion Greene told her she would only support closure if Minneapolis became a zero-waste city first. “She said, ‘I am not the leader you’re looking for,’” Honald recalled.
The coalition described the planned hunger strike as a tactic to pressure officials and draw public attention. Organizer Nazir Khan said a core group will fast for at least five days, while a larger group will participate in shorter solidarity fasts.
“I’m personally thrilled to be escalating this campaign,” said Joe Hessler, a District 4 resident. “It’s about inspiring the public to get behind us and show the county that we demand action.”
In addition to the hunger strike, coalition members plan to attend upcoming Minneapolis City Council and Hennepin County Board meetings and organize a rally on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19, to highlight environmental justice concerns.
Over the past year, the coalition has actively engaged county officials and city leaders, secured increased funding for zero-waste initiatives, and blocked the establishment of another large waste processing facility in a community of color. Despite these efforts, members say traditional advocacy has failed to move county officials quickly enough.
“Waiting for the county to act is no longer an option,” said District 5 resident Lois Norrgard. “We have to escalate to protect our health and our communities.”
Health impacts were a recurring theme during the town hall. District 4 resident Cassandra Hendrix, whose child has asthma, challenged claims that closing HERC would increase landfill use. “We already have a transition plan,” she said. “We’re living the life that people need to follow. We don’t need more excuses.”
Coalition members emphasized that the planned escalation is part of a long-term struggle. “This fight didn’t start last year or last month,” Khan said. “We’ve been holding county officials accountable for more than 30 years.”
The Zero Burn Coalition’s actions reflect growing environmental justice advocacy across Minneapolis, where residents and organizers are pushing for concrete timelines and accountability in addressing longstanding pollution and public health disparities.
Alaysia Lane is a multimedia journalist and commerce writer based in Minneapolis.