Society - Americana: Slab City

VICE focused on all the crazy environmental issues going on in the Imperial Valley, from the air pollution, to drastic bee die-off, to the sewage-filled rivers, and everything in between. But during the shoot, they also met a bevy of characters in Slab City, who are just as intriguing as all the eco-problems. VICE thought itd be fun to show you what a typical day is like in this bizarre stretch of area loaded with tweakers, eccentrics, army vets, hippies, and just plain old weirdos. People have been living here for free since the late 40s. And at one time in the early 90s, the place was like a giant flea market. And believe or not, this land belongs to the State of California Teachers Union. There is no California culture there at all. There are no strip malls, apartment buildings, dune buggies, off-road racing, crowded freeways, filthy beaches and arrogant politicians.