Residents of the historic Black community in Wallace, Louisiana, have successfully stopped the construction of a massive grain export facility on the grounds of their ancestors’ former plantation. Greenfield Louisiana LLC, the company behind the project, announced during a public hearing that they are canceling all plans for the facility, much to the delight of the town’s residents.
This victory comes after years of tireless advocacy by community members like Joy Banner, who founded The Descendants Project to preserve the heritage of Wallace. The decision to halt the project marks a rare win for a community in the heavily industrialized area known as “Cancer Alley” due to its high pollution levels.
In addition to celebrating their successful campaign, the Banner sisters recently purchased a plantation with historical significance to the community. They plan to transform the site into an educational space to further honor their ancestors and the legacy of the 1811 German Coast Uprising.
While some residents had hoped the grain export facility would bring much-needed jobs and economic development to Wallace, opponents argued that the project posed a threat to cultural heritage sites and potentially contained burial grounds of the ancestral Black community. The unexpected announcement by Greenfield Louisiana LLC to cancel the project caught the Army Corps of Engineers off guard, as they were in the process of reviewing the company’s application.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the formal withdrawal of the project, community members like Angelica Mitchell are overjoyed by the news. Mitchell, who has been battling cancer, expressed relief that the facility will not be built near her home, emphasizing the importance of protecting the community for future generations.
The fight against the grain export facility in Wallace serves as a testament to the power of community activism and the resilience of those who are dedicated to preserving their heritage. As residents continue to advocate for environmental justice and cultural preservation, this victory represents a significant milestone in their ongoing efforts to protect their community from harmful industrial projects.
