Open Access
American Research Journal of History and Culture
ISSN (Online): 2379-2914
DOI: 10.46568/arjhc
David vs. Goliath Battle of the Environmental Justice Movement: How Citizens Against Nuclear Trash (CANT) Defeated the Louisiana Energy Services
Abstract
The environmental justice movement was a movement in the late 20th century fighting against environmental racism/
discrimination. This paper examines the stages of environmentalism preceding the environmental justice movement for
contextualization. The catalyst of the movement at the protest in Warren County, NC, is examined in detail. The focus of
this paper is the most significant legal battle during the environmental justice movement, Citizens Against Nuclear Trash
(CANT) against the Louisiana Energy Services’ results and its impacts. Many notable leaders in fighting for environmental
justice, such as Dr. Robert D. Bullard and Dorceta E. Taylor, are referenced. The central argument of this paper is that
the CANT vs. LES’ legal battle played a pivotal role in altering the trajectory of the movement. CANT, a local grassroots
organization without much funding, defeating the federal-backed NRC in a lawsuit demonstrates that the justice system
has finally realized the issue of environmental discrimination.
