Episode 49: Land, Health, and History: A fight for Environmental Justice and Community Legacy

The Activist Files Podcast

What happens to a predominantly Black community when its government officials prioritize profit over health and legacy? On the 49th episode of “The Activist Files", legal worker Sadé Evans speaks with Dr. Joy Banner and Jo Banner of “The Descendants project”, a non-profit organization that advocates for descendants of people who were enslaved in Louisiana’s River Parishes. In honor of Earth Day, this discussion centers the founders of the Descendants Project as they speak out against corporate greed and environmental racism in Wallace, Louisiana, largely known as Cancer Alley. This episode will highlight the formation of the Descendant’s project; how the founders’ community is being affected by petrochemical companies; and their current lawsuit against St. John the Baptist Parish which challenges an old corrupt zoning ordinance that would allow the construction of a massive grain terminal on their land.

Resources:

CCR Website - Case Page

Descendant's Project Press Release

Follow the Descendant’s Project work here:

Website:http://thedescendantsproject.org/

Instagram: @thedecendantsproject

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/descendantsproject/