Tourists continue to visit Louisiana’s River Parishes, drawn by the canopy of oaks and the image of the Old South. At places like Oak Alley and Laura Plantation, they stroll through gardens, take photos on columned porches, and hear stories about elegance and tradition. What they rarely hear is how the legacy of these estates […]
Earth Day lands differently here. In New Orleans, residents don’t need reminders about the environment. They live with its consequences daily. Flooding is no longer seasonal; it’s expected. Heatwaves last longer. Insurance rates are pushing people out of their homes. And every year, the coastline slips further away. Since the 1930s, Louisiana has lost over […]
Community Members Brace for More Betrayal in a New Era of Environmental Justice At the Wednesday, April 2nd meeting of the St. James Parish Council, I was shocked and personally disappointed to see that our councilmember for the 5th District of St. James, AJ Jasmin, introduced a resolution that called for the Parish Council “to […]
Along Louisiana’s industrial corridor—known grimly as “Cancer Alley”—a growing movement is demanding environmental justice and accountability. As petrochemical plants continue to expand in predominantly Black and low-income communities, groups like RISE St. James and the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice are amplifying calls to stop pollution, protect health, and end discriminatory zoning. The fight […]
Louisiana is often celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant music scene, and world-renowned cuisine. However, beneath the surface of its storied history lies a darker reality: the state has become ground zero for environmental injustice. From the toxic industrial corridor known as “Cancer Alley” to the destruction of coastal wetlands that disproportionately harms marginalized […]
Mardi Gras and Carnival celebrations are coming to an end, and communities are moving towards a time of reflection with the observance of Lent. These communities, and people of any faith looking to make practical changes to protect our planet, should consider embracing “Plastic Free Fridays” during this time. This simple weekly commitment is a […]
On Monday, October 7, a pivotal case addressing environmental racism will come before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The lawsuit, filed by Inclusive Louisiana, Mount Triumph Baptist Church, and RISE St. James, challenges decades of alleged discriminatory land use practices by the St. James Parish Council. These practices, the plaintiffs […]
The Protect Louisiana’s Environment and Demand a Green Economy (PLEDGE) coalition, a network of environmental organizations from southern Louisiana, has urged Congressional candidates in Louisiana’s 2nd District to commit to a five-point environmental justice platform. During a press conference on Monday, the coalition outlined its demands, calling for action on environmental justice issues and a […]
The 4th of July has always represented many things to many people. As we celebrated, reflecting on the holiday’s history and its evolving significance in our nation was important. Holidays like this have developed multiple meanings, from American liberation to slavery liberation. In addition to the historical and cultural implications, these celebrations also presented a […]
Today, let us pause and honor the indomitable spirit of Emelda Jones West, a revered figure hailing from Convent, Louisiana. Emelda was, above all, a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and community leader. Married to Melvin West in 1945, she was blessed with seven children: Yolanda, Harrison, Kevin Paul, Glenn, Charmaine, Sebastian, and Terrance. For […]
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