Social and environmental justice concerns are converging in the midst of the massive oil leak/spill/volcano. Mother Jones blogger Mac McClelland's post "A Strike Against Oil Spill Lawsuits" discusses the Louisiana legislature's current project: Senate Bill 549. This bill, which the senate is holding a hearing on tomorrw, would severely limit the work of university law clinics that represent low-income clients. These clinics would be barred from filing suits against government agencies, suits seeking monetary damages, or suits that raise state constitutional challenges.
The main target is the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, where law students take on cases against industrial polluters on behalf of Louisiana's citizens. The reason for being targeted? The senate wants Louisiana to be seen by businesses as pro-industry and wants to send a message that all these pesky lawsuits are doing is hurting Louisiana's economy. What's worse still is that environmental lawsuits won't be the only suits restricted. Not only is this bill pro-business, it is pro-wealthy. Also barred will be suits by civil rights plaintiffs, domestic violence victims, and juveniles. Those who cannot afford their own lawyers and turn to such clinics to seek justice will have that resource removed. But hey, at least industries will know that they can pollute without repercussions for their irresponsible, damaging actions!
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