Federal Court Approves Landmark Case Tackling Environmental Racism in Louisiana Parish

(By Jack Brook | The Associated Press) NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal appellate court has permitted a civil rights lawsuit to progress, asserting that a Louisiana parish employed discriminatory land-use policies by situating polluting industries in largely Black communities. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that faith-based organizations could contest racial bias linked to petrochemical growth in St. James Parish, known as “Cancer Alley.” The lawsuit demands a halt on new petrochemical developments, citing that 20 of 24 facilities are in majority-Black neighborhoods. The U.S. EPA has flagged St. James Parish for its high cancer mortality rates. Gail LeBoeuf of Inclusive Louisiana, a plaintiff, stressed the critical necessity for a moratorium due to cancer-related deaths.