Abstract
The Saint Peter Saint Paul Community Council, Inc., began its grassroots organization with “ordinary people.” We had a common cause that was protecting our rural historic African American residential/farming community from a request for a land use or zoning action. Running a grassroots movement to protest a major industrial development, during the COVID-19 pandemic, was a huge challenge. And it involved educating ourselves on a technical subject matter, environmental racism, and environmental justice. In addition, as property-owners, we were responsible for submitting evidence to local government on both the beauty and fragility against industrial development of our beloved residential neighborhood. Some suggested best practice steps to consider are educate, organize, communicate, lawyer up, believe, challenge, collaborate, public relations, finance, and stay vigilant.
Introduction
We are from a rural farming neighborhood outside of the city limits of Archer, FL, in unincorporated Alachua County, Florida. The St. Peter and Pinesville neighborhoods of Archer, FL are small but proud of our heritage. Our historically African American neighborhoods are located in north central Florida. Dollie Nattiel was brought to the Archer area as a slave on David Yulee's Cottonwood plantation at the age of 9 years old in 1855. 1 Many of our ancestors settled here as freed slaves after the end of slavery and many of us, their descendants, remain on this land generations later.
There are currently three active churches, all of which are of African American congregations, St. Peter Baptist Church established in 1878, St. Paul Baptist Church established in 1913, and Banks United Methodist Church (two predecessors, Pinesville Methodist Episcopal Church established in 1869 and Bethlehem Methodist Epsicopal Church established in 1870, of which is now Banks United Methodist Church), along with two historic African American cemeteries.
In the 1920s, some Rosewood Massacre survivors and their descendants also settled in Archer. Six generations removed from slavery, this community has had an emphasis in obtaining higher education. Our community includes alumni of institutions of higher learning. In addition, historically, athletic greats such as Ricky Nattiel of the Denver Broncos, Michael Nattiel of the Cincinnati Reds, Michael Nattiel, Jr, of the Minnesota Vikings, and Derrick Robinson of the Kansas City Royals/Cincinnati Reds have roots in the St. Peter/Pinesville area of Archer, FL. The Archer area has also experienced industrial proposals and operations throughout the years.
Our advocacy grew out of necessity to try to protect our property. 2 A solar panel company, on behalf of the landowner, petitioned our local county government for a “special exception” to develop a large solar array on 650 acres in our neighborhood. If approved, the proposed land would be subsequently sold to a major power company. This project had been underway since 2017, however, the community learned of it in April/May 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategies and following information can be used to develop best practices for other neighborhoods facing environmental unjust policy and processes.
Also, these strategies can serve for research basis as a living document that can be changed as needed. One such type of research that may be applicable is community-based participatory research (CBPR). 3 , 4 , 5 In the CBPR: principles, rationale and policy recommendations presentation, Barbara Israel defined CBPR as a partnership approach to research that equitably involves, for example, community members, organizational representatives, and researchers in all aspects of the research process.
Then subsequently stated that CBPR acknowledges the fundamental characteristic that emphasizes the participation, influence, and control of nonacademic researchers in the process of creating knowledge and change. 6 This definition of CBPR really resonates with us where Vásquez et al. state Green and his colleagues define CBPR as involving systematic inquiry, with the participation of those affected by the issue being studied, for the purposes of education and taking action or effecting social change. 7 Information obtained from collaborative research, such as CBPR, may be used for guidance as reliance on solar and other renewable energy increases.
Best Practice Steps in Rural Neighborhood-Based Activism for Environmental Justice
Educate
Our activist journey began by educating ourselves and our neighborhood, after seeing a land use zoning action sign posted in the neighborhood. We then requested the application and accompanying documents from our local government's growth and planning staff. We educated ourselves on the comprehensive plan, zoning laws, and potential environmental impacts to our neighborhood. In our case, the proposed development was a utility scale (solar array) also known as an industrial solar power plant or solar farm.
We also researched what similar residential groups have challenged zoning exceptions. Our research showed us the unfortunate correlation of the proximity of industrial facilities to communities of color. The research uncovered the aftermath of environmental racism (i.e., racial segregation and housing inequality), and efforts to correct these long-standing systemic inequities through environmental justice.
Organize
It is singularly important to gather the right people to buy-in to the neighborhood's ideas and goals. Leadership must have the time and dedication to handle the day-to-day operations of the movement. We began as a three-person steering committee. We identified our purpose, mission, and overall goal. We then held a community conference call meeting to advise the community of our goals and mission in advocating for the community in June 2020. In our area of the county, there is a huge digital divide making communication using technology difficult. The community conference call also began our outreach to like-minded family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and community leaders to launch our movement.
We recruited active members and financial donors expanding our committee to ∼15 neighbors. We also incorporated as a nonprofit (Saint Peter Saint Paul Community Council, Inc. [SPSPCC]) to strengthen our position as concerned citizens and to be considered an affected party. Our neighborhood worked together contributing different perspectives, that is, farmers, historians, those familiar with the county comprehensive plan and aquifer system, environmentalists, those familiar with our rights as tax payers, elderly in the community, etc. We embraced our diversity.
Communicate
Our neighborhood expressed concern about the proposed zoning exception with local government early and often. As an immediate visual protest, we placed yard signs up around our neighborhood. These signs served as a collective protest regarding the proposed land use zoning action. This also helped to make other neighbors aware of our position. There was also a petition signature and letter writing campaign to communicate to local government the concerns of the community. Many in the neighborhood assisted in obtaining signatures especially the area church members. One standardized letter template for signatures was created. We encouraged calls and/or meeting with local government officials. The goal of communication was to motivate the neighborhood to commit to being involved to make an impact.
Lawyer up
The processes of local government boards and commissions are political, and power-based institutions. We presented our case from a stance of strength and power. Our organization obtained a lawyer to represent our neighborhood. This was a critical component for our grassroots group made up of ordinary citizens. At first, we did not know which type of lawyer to hire. We ultimately hired an attorney with land use, urban planning, and environmental advocacy experience. In addition, it was important to us to work with a lawyer who believed in our cause and was willing to be a David against large powerful Goliath-like corporations. We put in the work and paired it with our faith.
Believe
The SPSPCC members were told by many that we did not have a chance to stop the land use change request. SPSPCC organized, planned, and presented a PowerPoint presentation based on data, facts, professional resources, and expert witnesses. Members from the community also gave public comment against placing an industrial solar power plant in the middle of our residential neighborhood.
We had to believe in ourselves because we were the underdogs. We valued and were vested in our small, rural, and historically African American community. We had to communicate the importance of keeping our neighborhood industry-free for our ancestors (freeman from the Cottonwood Plantation and Rosewood massacre survivors) and for our future descendants. We could not be silent or afraid. We had to believe and stay faithful that God would be on our side and give us the victory.
Challenge
Communities of color have a right to say, “not in my back yard” (NIMBY). Communities of color, low income, and including rural communities have a right to early and meaningful involvement in decisions that impact our communities/neighborhoods.
Residents are area experts of their neighborhood. Residents are a source of information that can be tapped into for solutions or point out unintended consequences if given the opportunity during the planning of applications.
Economic development should benefit the neighborhoods that the industrial infrastructure is housed in.
Collaborate
Community partnerships on the local, state, and national levels were instrumental in garnering support of our neighborhood. Similar to our legal representation, we felt it was important to partner with others who believed in our cause. We developed partnerships with local city government, leaders in the local community, such as pastors of the neighborhood churches, and civic leaders in the Black community. We also received assistance from expert witnesses in local African American history, psychology, and environmental science and justice. Environmental, civil rights, historical, and archaeology groups supported SPSPCC in our research. Colleges of public health may be another resource for information.
Public relations
It was important to us that our concerns be reflected accurately in the media. Local newspapers, television stations, and demonstrations may be avenues to consider. Some of the members of SPSPCC wrote letters to the editor in the local newspapers and the land use zoning meeting received coverage from the local news media.
Finances
The ability to raise funds especially when hiring an attorney is paramount. Providing ways for those who care about your goals to donate to your cause is important. This can be accomplished in methods such as CashApp, checks, and individual cash donations accepted big or small. However, the members, family, and friends of the impacted neighborhood are most likely to donate. Donating created a sense of ownership and involvement both among council members and the community. It should be noted in addition to attorney fees, there may be external expenses such as a court reporter.
Stay vigilant
Local neighbors need to be aware they may be inundated with calls and mailings, for example, to sell their land, homes, or for solar panel installations to divide the neighborhood.
Communities need to be aware of their local government appeal policy and procedures, for example, county government appeal process. Members of marginalized communities should actively participate in local government as elected officials, advisory boards, and environmental groups.
Discussion
Because of this ordeal, we learned even more about our history, culture, and heritage and just how special our St. Peter and Pinesville neighborhoods of Archer, FL are to local, state, and American history. Rich history that is worth preserving.
Even though solar and other renewable energy sources are a great idea, there is much work to be done in the area of environmental justice, especially in communities of color, low-income neighborhoods, and rural communities. Some potential areas of CBPR could include, for example, just economic development, siting criteria to avoid residential neighborhoods, and increasing the number of jobs for Blacks in the renewable energy industry.
First, a neighborhood's idea of economic development (small business loans, to remain rural or residential, project revenue earmarked specifically for impacted neighborhood, permanent full-time job allotment for impacted neighborhood, etc.) may be different from a big business's idea of economic development.
Second, possible alternatives can be reserving industrial solar power plants for areas already zoned for industrial, commercial building rooftops, or parking lots, etc. Additionally, land use and zoning policy can be written to encourage energy justice, equity, and meaningful community engagement.
Third, climate change, environmental justice, environmental racism, green energy job training, and social action do not live in separate vacuums. 8 You cannot address one issue without addressing all issues. The social issues of placing industrial facilities in minority neighborhoods, the overwhelming composition of white middle class boards and environmental groups, lack of funds for low-income homeowners to purchase rooftop solar panels, and the need for job training for minorities in the green energy industry 9 are social action problems.
An optimistic future will provide grants for private residence for rooftop solar and home upgrades in efficiency to families in marginalized communities. Communities of color, low-income, and rural families may pay more in energy cost in proportion to income. Because middle/upper class homeowners may have more disposable income to purchase solar panels that saves them money on energy cost. It is a travesty that families in marginalized communities may end up subsidizing any potential loss of revenues of the electric utility company. We cannot move forward until we recognize environmental injustice as a social justice problem.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these strategies can be used to develop best practices for other neighborhoods/communities facing environmental unjust policy and processes. We believe our neighborhood's experience demonstrates the need for residential communities being involved and having a seat at the table in conversations regarding proposals that impact our local neighborhoods. We believe in a community-centered approach to a transition to renewables. Lastly, we think climate change must also include discussions about environmental justice, social justice, and racial equity.
Footnotes
Acknowledgments
We thank God and we thank members, family, and friends of the Saint Peter Saint Paul Community Council, Inc, for your continuing support.
Author Disclosure Statement
No competing financial interests exist.
Disclaimer
The study has not previously been published, is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, this author has read and agrees with the contents of the submission, and this author has contributed substantially to the study.
Funding Information
No funding was received for this article.