Inclusive Louisiana was established in 2020 as a non-profit organization with a crucial mission: to safeguard the residents of St. James Parish and surrounding areas from the detrimental effects of industrial pollution. Our work is not just important—it’s urgent. OUR VISION is to educate and inform the community about social, racial, and environmental injustices along with our civic responsibilities.

Dear President Biden,

We, Inclusive Louisiana, write to you as representatives of We the People of the United States, particularly those living along the banks of the Mississippi River and the Gulf shores of Louisiana. Our communities are facing an environmental crisis, and we urgently seek your attention and action.

In 2022, we sought international intervention from The CERD Geneva Committee, which supported our request for a moratorium on new and expanding heavy industries in the U.S. Despite this, we are still fighting for our voices to be heard. We recently went before the St. James Parish Council to request a moratorium, highlighting that Louisiana has the highest cancer risks in the nation.

In 2023, the predominantly Black northern community of St. James Parish took a bold step by filing a lawsuit demanding racial equity. We seek recognition and treatment as human beings—no longer as 3/5 of a person. We declare, as we did in Geneva, that the Civil War has never truly ended for our communities.

For over 80 years, the U.S. government, the state of Louisiana, and local authorities have facilitated the construction of more than 200 petrochemical plants, endangering the lives and futures of Black, Indigenous, and low-income residents across the country. This ongoing crisis is exacerbated by the lack of action from your administration in addressing the recommendations from The CERD Committee. We are not just pleading for help; we are demanding it.

We call upon you to take immediate action to protect our communities and our future by implementing the following recommendations:

1. Mandatory Buffer Zones: Establish buffer zones of 2.5 to 3 miles around industrial sites to safeguard our residents from harmful pollutants.
2. Executive Order for Real-Time Air Monitoring: Implement a 24-hour real-time air monitoring system for pollutants and particulate matter. The costs should be borne by the plants, and data must be shared by a third party with stakeholders and all relevant government agencies.

Every day, we live with the consequences of industrial pollution—compromised immune systems, chronic disorders, and life-threatening illnesses. I personally face the reality of an inoperable liver tumor. It is imperative that this administration acts on these recommendations. We the People of the United States deserve equal justice under the law.

We urge you to prioritize our health and safety and to stand up for the rights of all Americans, particularly those most vulnerable. Your leadership can help change the course of history for our communities.

Sincerely,

Inclusive Louisiana