RISEStJames

𝘼 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧... 📣 COMMUNITY ALERT: EXXON CO₂ PIPELINE PROJECT Low Carbon Logistics CCS Transport, LLC, in connection with the Exxon CO₂ Pipeline Project, is moving forward in Louisiana. Communities need to understand what this means for public safety, the environment, and long-term risks. The project would transport large volumes of compressed carbon dioxide through local parishes, raising serious concerns for nearby residents. ⚠️ To learn what this project could mean for our community and to access reliable information, visit: 👉 / This site breaks down: • 🛠️ How CO₂ pipelines work • ⚡ Potential hazards and emergency risks and more

First, I would like to honor God, who is the head of our lives. Second, we would like to thank our local community and allies for their continued support. They tried to bury us, not realizing that we were seeds. Now, our seeds of change are being dispersed all over the globe. THANK YOU to everyone committed to the struggle for climate and environmental justice. Special thanks to John Legend, Hasan, Dianna, Szena, Ty, and the planning committee for your time and interest in these pressing human rights issues. This opportunity came at the perfect moment when we needed a pick-me-up. The time to act is now—we’re accepting no excuses, only results when it comes to saving our community. Be sure to click the link in our bio to sign our petition asking President Joe Biden to protect St. James Parish: /petitions/president-biden-stop-formosa-plastics?source=direct_link. #RISEStJames #TheRenaissanceParishes #RememberAndReclaim #climateaction @johnlegend

🇺🇸🌍 VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE JOINS CANCER ALLEY UNITED | KATRINA 20 CELEBRATION 🌍🇺🇸 On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Former Vice President Al Gore, Founder of The Climate Reality Project, will stand with frontline leaders at “Cancer Alley United: Rise For Our Lives Before We Die.” Together, we mark 20 years since Hurricane Katrina, honor recovery from Hurricane Ida, and call for a just, sustainable future. With stronger storms, shorter warnings, and worsening industrial pollution, the climate crisis places the heaviest burdens on vulnerable Gulf South communities. 🎤 Featured Speakers & Presentations: Sharon C. Lavigne (RISE St. James) • Dr. Rev. Samuel Jones (Mt. Calvary Baptist Church) • Rev. Lennox Yearwood (Hip Hop Caucus) • Heather McTeer Toney (Beyond Petrochemicals) • Shamyra Lavigne (RISE St. James) • Kimbrelle Eugene Kyereh (Refined Community Empowerment Inc.) • Robert Taylor (Concerned Citizens of St. John Parish) • Cherice Fernandez (Ascension Parish) • Quisha Reed-Jones (Alsen St. Irma Lee Community Village) • Shamell Lavigne (RISE St. James) land acknowledgment “Against Formosa / Towards Repair” 📍 Where: Shekinah Glory Fellowship Church, St. James, LA 🕔 When: 5 PM Community Fair | 6 PM Evening Mass Revival 👉 RSVP: /united #RiseStJames #WeAreTheStorm #therenaissanceparishes

𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐒𝐭. 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 Yesterday, Jack Green, Louisiana Campaigner, and Caitlion O. Hunter, Research and Policy Director, once again brought service and our mission to the streets as they introduced the “RISE St. James Louisiana Community Education Program” at ReNEW Robert Russa Moton Lakefront Academy in New Orleans, LA. As part of a K–12 environmental justice curriculum, students participated in interactive lessons focused on four key themes: 🌎 Our Home in Louisiana 🌡️ Climate Change Basics 🏭 What Are Petrochemical Plants 🤝 How We Can Care for Our Community Students showed curiosity and growing awareness, and Caitlion and Jack shared they got just as much from the experience as the students. This initiative was made possible through the Louisiana Gulf Coast Grantmaking Project, administered by the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice @dscejnola . #RISEStJames

"the peole who live closest to these plants absolutely have elevated risks of cancer and other serious harmful diseases." "Cancer Alley is real. Look at the science." - Caitlion Hunter with @risestjames on Wednesday, April 22 in Baton Rouge

Fire Erupts After Hydrogen and Gas Leak at Shell Norco Late Monday Night 🔥 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. 🎥 St. Charles Parish Government

Permission to Poison? Hundreds of companies ask for exemptions to the Clean Air Act ⛓️‍💥 /2026/04/27/permission-poison-hundreds-companies-ask-exemptions-clean-air-act-2/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawRc5u1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpMzZTeHRsN0N2dVdLb3ZNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHk1-1Yd8EwjiCY0KQ4ceqH879X6o-6qqf27bCMXsxUxL-H32za2szFk3qgJJ_aem_ARBJIFhtWrUWQZL98CKs9A#Echobox=1777333764

🧪 Chemical of the Month: BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene & Xylene) Air pollution isn’t just about one chemical at a time. It’s about how they combine and impact our bodies. Just like a house hit by both flooding and roof damage suffers more severe harm, these chemicals can work together to amplify their toxic effects. BTEX chemicals are commonly released from fossil fuel industries, car exhaust, and petrochemical plants, and they often occur together. Exposure can lead to serious health risks, including: ⚠️ Headaches, dizziness, and respiratory irritation ⚠️ Damage to the nervous system, liver, and kidneys ⚠️ Increased cancer risk, including leukemia In Louisiana’s River Parishes, tens of thousands of pounds of these chemicals are released every year, yet regulators still don’t fully account for their combined impacts. Visit our website to learn more. #ChemicalOfTheMonth #TheCommunityScientist #RISEStJames #BETX

𝙈𝙧. 𝘼𝙡𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙩 “𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙛” 𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙣, 𝙎𝙧. Today, we pause to honor the life and legacy of a beloved member of our community, Mr. Albert “Chief” Broden, Sr. Mr. Broden was a supporter of the mission of RISE St. James, and even when he could no longer be with us in person, he continued to engage with us on social media until the very day of his passing. A proud resident of St. James Parish and a dedicated supporter of the mission of RISE St. James Louisiana, Mr. Broden was a pillar of strength, wisdom, and love. Born on January 12, 1951, to the late Walter and Viola Broden, he peacefully gained his wings on April 11, 2026, at 12:58 a.m., surrounded by the family he cherished so deeply. He leaves behind a legacy of love through his devoted wife of 55 years, Patricia Broden; his children, Alicia Dumas and Albert Broden, Jr. (Christyle); his grandchildren, Eric Howard, Jr., Quinden and Anayah Dumas, Aleya and Calli Broden; his great-grandchildren, Ariella and Tatum Howard, and Ashtin and Arlynn Floyd; and his step-grandchildren, Mykel Dumas and Kammora Esther. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Broden; his brother, Warren (Angela) Broden; along with a host of sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, seven godchildren, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will forever carry his memory in their hearts. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this time. Services were held today, Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke Baptist Church, 5030 LA 18, St. James, LA.

What does it look like when a community decides it's had enough? 🌍⁠ ⁠ It looks like a teacher founding a grassroots org in her living room. A mom taking federal agencies on a tour of pollution in her backyard. A woman getting arrested on MLK Day to protect her neighborhood and never stopping.⁠ ⁠ This Earth Month, we celebrate three fearless Black women, Roishetta Sibley Ozane, Sharon Lavigne, and Peggy Shepard, who fought for their communities and became Climate Heroes. Swipe to learn their stories. 👉⁠ ⁠ #EarthMonth #EnvironmentalJustice #EarthDay #BlackWomenLeaders #ClimateHeroes

The next RISE St. James meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Welcome Senior Center.

🌎Happy Earth Day 🌎 May we live in right relationship with nature and honor the enduring truths that transcend religions, cultures, and communities of reciprocity, seedtime, and harvest. May we recognize that nature is a living force in itself, worthy of the same love and respect we are commandeth to show our neighbors as ourselves. Let us work to leave the earth stronger, healthier, and more abundant for those who come after us. #EarthDay2026 #EarthDay