Residents of St. James Parish in Louisiana are suing the parish for approving numerous toxic petrochemical factories in two of the state’s Black neighborhoods.
The current situation in St. James Parish is the best illustration of slavery’s afterlife, according to Vince Warren, director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, who spoke to the media on Tuesday.
The Cancer Alley plaintiffs, citing a Reconstruction-era civil rights law, allege a parish land use plan directs heavy industrial development into predominantly Black areas.
In addition, they assert that the factories were constructed over the graves of those descendants of slaves who are today suffering from toxic pollution.
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Speaking to reporters Tuesday outside the federal courtroom in New Orleans, Shamyra Lavine of Rising St. James said, “We stand here today to say we will not be forgotten.” You won’t put our lives in danger. Also, we won’t accept any additional business in St. James’ fourth or fifth district. It’s enough already.
