Rise St. James organizes to end climate injustice

Within Louisiana, the River Parishes (between New Orleans and Baton Rouge) consist of St. James Parish, St. Charles Parish, and St. John the Baptist Parish. Environmental justice organizations like Rise St. James, Louisiana, Concerned Citizens of St. John, and the Descendants Project are speaking out and organizing against injustices in “Cancer Alley.”

Residents who live close to plant refineries and industrial areas face higher levels of human carcinogenic substances. This includes chloroprene, benzene, formaldehyde, and many others.

In addition, workers’ health and safety are also at risk due to their direct exposure to harmful chemicals.

According to the United States Coast Guard National Response Center, community members and workers reported over 300 incidents (2023-2024) of pollution and environmental hazards in the River Parishes alone.

One incident involved the Mosaic Faustina Ammonia Plant, where an unknown amount of molten sulfur spilled on the ground at the facility.

Another person reported that Atlantic Alumina (Grammercy, Louisiana) dumped unknown orange and red material into roadside ditches in an area with dead vegetation and a lack of waste cleanup.

Rise St. James, Louisiana, is a faith-based grassroots organization advocating clean air, clean water, and clean soil.

Their goal is to combat the increase of petrochemical industries in St. James Parish and surrounding parishes.

Founder and director of Rise St. James and the 2021 Goldman Environmental Prize winner, Sharon Lavigne, expressed, “We are going to stand, and 2025 is going to be even better because we are going to stand [up]. We’re not going to let Trump’s administration or anyone stop us from speaking the truth. And in the future, we plan to bring down more industries that want to come into St. James, especially St. James Parish.”

The Black Wall Street Times interviewed Rise St. James members to explore environmental and cultural initiatives, impactful activations, and the importance of believing despite ongoing oppression.