More than a year after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in rural Ohio, forcing thousands of residents to flee, Joe Biden finally arrived in the village of East Palestine on Friday afternoon.
Locals made it clear they were concerned about the delay. His motorcade passed a gauntlet of banners reading “Too little, too late,” and the streets were filled with people chanting “F*** you.”
They are angry that the president waited a year to see the impact of the crash and believe it is only now coming because of the November election.
Some were Trump supporters. Some had traveled from out of town.
Others, however, were families whose homes were right next to the railway line and the site of the disaster. They held signs that read: “Help.” “Our children are still sick.”
Trump supporters gathered before 9 a.m. to wait for the president's visit
President Joe Biden visited East Palestine on Friday afternoon to see for himself the site of last year's derailment that sent toxic chemicals pouring through the Ohio village
They want financial help from his government so they can move away and avoid the danger left by last year's disaster.
Life turned upside down when the 150 freight train carrying toxic chemicals derailed. His cargo included 700,000 pounds of vinyl chloride, a carcinogen used to make pipes, furniture and other plastic goods.
Firefighters opted for a “controlled burn” to avert the risk of a massive explosion that would produce a thick, black cloud of smoke.
Biden was shown the site of the disaster and then gave a speech promising that aid would continue as long as it was needed.
He had particular anger for Norfolk Southern, whose train derailed.
“There is force majeure,” he said. “This was an act of greed that was 100 percent preventable.”
The visit took him deep into Trump country, a district the former president won in 2020 with more than 70 percent of votes cast.
Biden said none of this matters.
“What matters is that we are all Americans, everyone, everyone, we look out for each other,” he said. “We don’t leave anyone behind.”
But his welcoming committee included streets lined with protesters, including Trump supporters who had come to vent their anger.
Chris Solis, 58, who traveled an hour from Pittsburgh to attend the protest, accused Biden of making only a symbolic appearance.
“East Palestine was neglected and that was a hallmark of his government,” he said.
“He speaks in a demeaning and condescending tone towards ordinary people.”
Before arriving in East Palestine, Biden met with first responders battling the disaster at the Darlington Municipal Complex, just across the state line in Pennsylvania
Protesters expressed their anger as Biden's motorcade rolled into East Palestine
Mike Young, rally organizer, said Trump supporters traveled from all over to join the protest
“East Palestine has been neglected and that has been a hallmark of his administration,” said Chris Solis, who was on Main Street as part of the protest against Biden’s visit
The White House defended the timing.
“The president has always said that he would leave when the time was right and it made sense for him to leave,” said his press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “And that’s exactly what he does.”
This left residents wondering what deadly toxins were being released into the air, soil and water.
Since then, federal authorities have insisted they have taken measures to ensure the safety of the environment and homes.
The Environmental Protection Agency says it has disposed of more than 176,000 tons of hazardous waste. More than 49 million gallons of water, rain and snowmelt were removed or treated.
Norfolk Southern, the railroad that operates the freight train that derailed on February 3 last year, said it spent about $1.1 billion on the response.
That wasn't enough to stop Trump supporters from gathering on Main Street directly across from the mayor's office and accusing the Biden administration of failing the people of East Palestine.
They flew flags reading “Even my dogs hate Biden” and held banners calling for the president’s imprisonment.
Mike Young, who organized the protest, said: “This isn't enough.” These people have it bad down here. You are scared. I think they're scared.
“They don’t want to move into their houses.”
Ferguson's parents moved into the house in 1970. Today, like the neighboring houses, it is empty
A large plume of smoke rose over East Palestine, Ohio, last year after part of a derailed Norfolk Southern train was controlled detonated to burn hazardous chemicals
And they lined Biden's path to the village. One man raised his middle finger in greeting as the president passed by, and others shouted: “F*** Joe Biden.”
Trump supporters pointed to the former president's visit last year, less than three weeks after the derailment, as evidence of his support for economically marginalized communities.
And many residents agree that more needs to be done to get their community back on its feet. But the protest angered many who said they were tired of a political background.
A customer at the Sprinklz restaurant next to the protest said, “Many of them don’t even come from East Palestine.”
Employees fought hard to keep the profanity-filled signs off the front of their store.
Krissy Ferguson, a 49-year-old mother, said she hoped for a chance to meet Biden. And she told on Thursday that she would never be able to return to her home and needed help moving.
“I can’t live here anymore,” she said with tears in her eyes. 'It's not safe.'
Residents have been repeatedly told their homes are safe, but the Environmental Protection Agency has posted signs on streams and water sources warning people to stay away
Community activists sent a letter to Biden calling on him to issue a disaster declaration, provide long-term health monitoring and care and offer relocation funding for those like Ferguson who want to leave.
One of the authors, Jess Conard, said it's time to put politics aside and work with Biden to help the community.
“We are Americans and he is our leader,” she said. “And I think that’s a really important distinction no matter what side of the line you’re on.”
“President Biden is coming to my community because he recognizes the need for this.”