January 1979

Houston residents filed Bean v. Southwestern Waste Management Corp. in 1979, challenging the siting of a solid waste facility in a predominantly Black neighborhood. Though the plaintiffs lost, the case — brought by environmental attorney Linda McKeever Bullard — is considered the first use of civil rights law to challenge environmental discrimination, founding the environmental justice movement.

Houston residents filed Bean v. Southwestern Waste Management Corp. challenging a solid waste facility sited in a Black neighborhood. Brought by attorney Linda McKeever Bullard, it is considered the first use of civil rights law to challenge environmental discrimination, founding the environmental justice movement.