On December 30, nine community activists met with Militant reporters to tell their story. Gathered at the home of Wilma McSwain, the group included hospital workers, sewing machine operators, a cook, a construction worker, and a teacher. Several of them are unable to work now due to illness. Joining the reporting team were Willie Evans and James White, two members of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 303L, on strike against Titan Tire in Natchez, Mississippi, who were interested in learning more about this embattled community's fight.

"In April of last year, we began to really notice the number of deaths and sickness in our community," explained Yvonne Powell, 42, a former hospital worker and a leader of the community's efforts. Her determination to get to the bottom of the situation in McSwain and her refusal to be discouraged by the government's response--indifferent at best and hostile at worst, she says--is helping get the community's fight more widely known.

"We started to look around at the industry in the area and to ask what was the common factor? What could be affecting all of us? We finally started to look at the water in the community and ask, could the water be the source of our health problems?" Powell continued.

McSwain residents contacted the Mississippi State Department of Health in Hattiesburg and asked for a report on the water in their area. They were sent a 1993 report that showed a high level of arsenic in the water, triple the maximum contaminant level.

Many residents report having a range of symptoms consistent with arsenic poisoning, including irritable bowel syndrome and other intestinal disorders, vision and nerve problems, joint disorders, and the appearance of a particular form of wart and other skin problems. Meanwhile, the state health department says the figure in the 1993 report was a typographical error. The Mississippi State Department of Environmental Quality tested McSwain's water in June 2000 and report they found no contamination.

In the last year and a half, 10 McSwain residents have died, about half from various forms of cancer, explained Natalie Leverette, a teacher. An informal survey conducted by the activists shows virtually every household in this community of 300 is affected by serious disease, from babies born with birth defects to a high rate of multiple myeloma, a rare form of cancer.

In August 2000, residents got together and formed People Effective Against Chemical Eugenics (PEACE) in order to pursue their fight. "We chose the word eugenics because we learned that that means a way to eliminate or sterilize 'unwanted' people," Natalie Leverette said.

Until 1974, McSwain residents got their water from private wells, Powell said. That year, they began using water from a well in Richton, the nearest town. The well had been previously used by Richton residents, who began using a different one in 1969. The two wells draw water from different aquifers. Richton residents, using the new well, do not have the same type and level of health problems that are plaguing the McSwain community, Powell explained.

Powell, with community backing, went to the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg to try to find out more about what could have happened to their water supply. She found a report by a U.S. Department of the Interior Geological Survey hydrologist that found high levels of strontium, manganese, and boron in their water. Residents believe that nearby wood treatment plants, including Georgia Pacific, and oil wells in the area are responsible for the contamination. "They have all dumped their waste products and chemicals into the streams in our area," Powell said.

Powell and Mildred Moody, who used to work as a cook and a sewing machine operator until she became disabled by illness, took the Militant team to see one of the creeks in the area. The water was yellow and foaming and several animal carcasses had washed up on the side of the stream.

In addition to contacting various state agencies to try to get to the bottom of what was going on, community residents tried to get some help and information from the Richton city government. Instead of help, local officials have tried to dismiss McSwain residents' concerns as unfounded.

After hearing about the difficulties faced by community residents in getting at the truth about what is happening, Willie Evans, one of the visiting Titan Tire strikers, asked about the overall conditions facing the McSwain community. "It sounds like conditions of segregation are still in effect in the area," he said. "Is that right?"

"Yes," several activists responded. There are no Blacks in city government in Richton, working in the local hospital, or serving as clerks in the stores. Only recently did one of the banks hire two Black tellers, activists said. At the August 2000 Richton town meeting, attended by local congressman Gene Taylor, the officials would not recognize any McSwain residents. "There's no need to waste taxpayers' money on this issue," Taylor told the crowd. He accused McSwain residents of manipulating the situation.

In response to the Richton city government's inaction, McSwain residents have initiated a boycott of the local pharmacy, which is owned by Mayor James White.

The well McSwain residents began using in 1974 was finally closed and cemented over in 1994. The community now draws water from another well. The community has asked for the old well to be reopened and tested by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. "We want to get a clinic where McSwain residents can have their health problems treated," said Powell, explaining the community's goals. "And we want McSwain to have its own water system that we can control. And for people who can no longer work to be granted disability payments without going through years of waiting or being denied."  
 
USWA strike at Titan Tire
The McSwain activists were interested in learning about the Steelworkers' strike at Titan Tire in Natchez, where USWA Local 303L has been fighting to win a decent contract and beat back the company's union-busting efforts since September 1998.

"How do you survive?" they asked. Evans and White said strikers have received solidarity and support and have gotten jobs to make ends meet while they continue picketing. Evans and White suggested that the activists try to enlist support from whatever unions may exist in the Richton area, explaining how they could be of help. They also suggested talking to the white residents who live near the community. "We listen to what the whites in our area say," Powell agreed. "This affects them too."

"I believe in justice," said Powell, who is proud of being born in Birmingham, Alabama, where some of the most important civil rights battles were fought. "I have those roots in the civil rights movement. Normally, you would not find a community like ours getting as far as we have. We have found that persistence is the key."

Susan LaMont is a member of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees. Rachael Van Riper is a member of the Young Socialists. USWA Local 303L members Willie Evans and James White contributed to this article.  
 
 
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