A federal appeals court has reinstated a civil rights lawsuit against St. James Parish, Louisiana, alleging that the parish's land-use policies have disproportionately placed polluting petrochemical facilities in majority-Black neighborhoods, perpetuating environmental racism. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' decision allows the case, initially dismissed on procedural grounds, to proceed.

The lawsuit, filed in March 2023 by faith-based community organizations Inclusive Louisiana, Mt. Triumph Baptist Church, and RISE St. James, contends that St. James Parish has systematically approved the construction of petrochemical plants in predominantly Black areas, violating the 13th and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The plaintiffs seek a moratorium on new industrial projects in these neighborhoods and emphasize the desecration of ancestral burial grounds by industrial development.

In November 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana dismissed the case, citing that the claims were time-barred due to the statute of limitations related to a 2014 land-use plan. However, in April 2025, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed this decision, recognizing that the allegations pertain to ongoing discriminatory practices, not just past actions, thereby allowing the case to proceed.

The appellate court's decision marks a significant victory for environmental justice advocates, enabling the plaintiffs to address what they describe as a public health emergency caused by the parish's approval of petrochemical facilities in majority-Black communities. Pamela Spees, an attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights representing the plaintiffs, stated, "Now we can finally get back to the urgent work of addressing the public health emergency caused by the parish's constant and easy approval of every request by any petrochemical company seeking...".

St. James Parish, located along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, is part of a heavily industrialized region known as "Cancer Alley" due to its high concentration of petrochemical plants and associated pollution levels. The area has been the focus of environmental justice concerns, particularly regarding the disproportionate placement of industrial facilities in predominantly Black communities.

The lawsuit highlights that, over the past 46 years, St. James Parish has approved numerous petrochemical plants in Black neighborhoods while approving none in white communities. Additionally, the plaintiffs argue that industrial development has led to the destruction and restricted access to cemeteries of enslaved ancestors, infringing on religious and cultural rights.

Gail LeBoeuf, a lifelong parish resident and co-founder of Inclusive Louisiana, expressed, "We have been sounding the alarm for far too long that a moratorium is needed to halt the expansion of any more polluting industries in our... and other illnesses."

The case underscores broader issues of environmental racism, where minority communities disproportionately bear the burden of environmental hazards. The outcome could set a precedent for how similar cases are addressed nationwide, influencing policies on industrial zoning and environmental justice.

As the lawsuit returns to the U.S. District Court in Louisiana, the plaintiffs will continue to seek a moratorium on new industrial projects in affected areas and advocate for the protection of ancestral burial grounds. The decision is seen by supporters as a significant step toward justice for long-standing environmental and racial inequities.