RISE ST. James is a Black-led community organization based in St. James Parish, Louisiana. A part of what is known as “Cancer Alley” for the well-above-average rates of cancer in the region, St. James is home to a shockingly high number of polluting industries. RISE St. James has been doing incredible work in the community, battling this environmental racism.
Led by Sharon Lavigne, 2021’s Goldman Environmental Prize winner, RISE galvanized community opposition and successfully defeated plans for a $1.25 billion plastics manufacturing plant in 2019. Despite this, the state government intends to expand this chemical corridor. RISE is currently fighting to stop the massive Formosa plastics plant from building a massive $12 billion 14-plant petrochemical complex on the banks of the Mississippi River.
On August 26th, 2021, Hurricane Ida formed as a tropical storm in the Atlantic. It quickly developed into a deadly Category 4 hurricane that made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana. Ida would become the second-most destructive hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana on record, behind only Hurricane Katrina in 2005. \
In response, RISE St. James has added mutual aid to their powerful environmental work. Their response and recovery efforts have included cleaning up yards, rebuilding homes, and providing hot meals to help get their communities back on their feet.
Can you make a donation to support their work? Whether you can only donate $1, or if you have the privilege to be able to donate $1000, every cent we raise will be put to good use supporting the community & fighting environmental racism.
All money raised will be for RISE St. James. Stop the Money Pipeline will not keep any of the money raised.
