The town of St. Joseph in Tensas Parish, LA is the poorest community in the state. Nearly 40% of the population is below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate is likewise staggering.
Since at least 2012, the community has been under a more-or-less constant boil water advisory. Residents, though, say that the problems with the water system were present long before this date. This, of course, affects mostly the poor, black population within the town proper.
City and state leaders have failed to timely and adequately address this issue. Meanwhile, the poorest among us are without drinking water. This petition calls on President Obama to declare a federal emergency in St. Joseph and to divert federal resources for the repair of the town's water infrastructure.