FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
James R. Watson Jr.
Phone: 843-687-1264
Email: jwattslive@gmail.com
Florence, SC 29506
Community Leader Raises Concern Over Health and Justice Impacts of New Battery Plant in Florence
Florence, SC — June 4, 2025 — As construction begins on a new battery manufacturing facility in Florence, local resident and community advocate James R. Watson Jr. is calling attention to the potential health and legal risks this development poses to nearby neighborhoods, water systems, and vulnerable populations.
While the plant is being promoted as an economic driver for the region, Mr. Watson warns that it may also become a source of lead contamination, which could severely impact urban communities and local water supplies. He points to the well-documented health dangers of lead exposure, especially among children, and the long-term toll it takes on public health and economic stability.
“This isn’t just about jobs,” said Watson. “This is about life and death. We cannot allow our community to be poisoned under the false promise of progress.”
Watson also raises broader concerns about systemic injustice and the inability of the local legal system to properly protect and compensate residents in the event of environmental or health-related harm.
He shared the story of a friend who, due to financial hardship, had to rely on a public defender for a minor legal issue and ended up being threatened with a 90-day sentence over a $25 matter—despite multiple representatives advocating on his behalf and a lack of clear communication from the court system.
“How can we trust that the system will defend us if this plant causes real harm?” Watson asked. “We have people being held like animals over pennies. We have innocent people locked up, while lawyers admit they’re afraid to go after justice because they fear for their families. How can this same system handle a major environmental health crisis?”
Watson is calling for immediate transparency from plant developers, independent environmental impact studies, and legal support for the community to understand and prepare for potential risks. He is also urging local and state officials to ensure that safeguards are in place before the plant becomes operational.
“Florence deserves clean air, clean water, and a fair legal system. Our lives shouldn’t be the price of economic development.”
About James R. Watson Jr.:
A lifelong resident of Florence, SC, Watson is a community advocate focused on public health, justice reform, and economic equity. He is committed to speaking out for the underrepresented and ensuring his community’s voice is heard.
