Why did the newspaper use the term “activists” to refer to residents impacted by the expansion of the Koch methanol plant? Why not call them “residents,” “concerned citizens” or “community groups?”
Calling them “activists” five times in the article "Activists seek to fight plant project in St. James," published on April 10, comes across as an attempt to discredit and marginalize residents as being radical, when in fact they’re only trying to survive.
The area is not called "Cancer Alley" for nothing. You don’t have to be an “activist” to try to prevent the Koch Methanol expansion from doubling “combined toxic air pollution” and causing “ozone-forming chemicals” to rise to more than 80%.
KELLY HITE
Baton Rouge