Date of Graduation
Spring 5-16-2025
Document Access
Project/Capstone - Global access
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Urban and Public Affairs
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
Urban and Public Affairs
First Advisor
Timothy Redmond
Second Advisor
Rachel Brahinsky
Abstract
The environmental and public health challenges in Bayview-Hunters Point have catalyzed widespread community activism, as residents and advocates respond to the ongoing fallout from radiological contamination at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Communication plays a vital role in bridging the gap between affected communities and government entities throughout the cleanup process. This research asks: how have the communication strategies of advocacy groups influenced government actions and policies during the Bayview-Hunters Point Shipyard cleanup? To explore this question, I conducted semi-structured interviews with three community advocates, two former members of a non-partisan civil jury, one independent researcher, and one government official. Included in this study are representatives from Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the Center for Public Environmental Oversight, the Civil Grand Jury, a sitting member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and an independent historian/scientist.
While originally centered on analyzing communication strategies, this research evolved into a broader critique of institutional power and its role in marginalizing community voices. Despite public-facing claims of engagement, federal agencies such as the Navy continue to exercise unchecked authority over the remediation process, with little meaningful oversight. These findings suggest that the most effective advocacy combines insider engagement with sustained outsider pressure, challenging the illusion of reform and calling for structural change. The paper concludes with best practices for advocacy and policy recommendations aimed at increasing the impact of community efforts and strengthening government accountability.
Recommended Citation
Trejo, Caroline, "The Politics of Being Heard: Communication and Power Struggles in Hunters Point Naval Shipyard" (2025). Master's Projects and Capstones. 1943.
https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/1943
Included in
Community-Based Research Commons, Emergency and Disaster Management Commons, Environmental Policy Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Nonprofit Studies Commons, Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, Public Affairs Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Justice Commons, Urban Studies Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons
