Environmental activists from throughout the United States are gathering this week in the Louisville area for strategy sessions focused on helping neighborhoods near industrial plants.

"We've specifically chosen to come to Louisville to support the local community," said Bryony Schwan, coordinator of the loosely affiliated Coming Clean Campaign and an organizer of the meeting.

After several members of the campaign visited Louisville last year, the Rev. Louis Coleman's Justice Resource Center launched Rubbertown Emergency Action.

The group, also known as REACT, has been working to organize neighborhoods to encourage chemical plants to reduce their toxic air emissions.

This week's meetings will largely focus on comparing notes and developing strategies nationally, Schwan said, but she added that participants will take time out to support REACT.

About 60 people from nearly as many groups are expected to attend, said Schwan, who is also the national campaign director for Women's Voices for the Earth, based in Montana.

"The eyes of the nation and to some extent the eyes of the world are on Louisville right now," said Denny Larson, a San Francisco environmentalist who helps neighborhood groups establish air monitoring through his group Global Community Monitor.

He delivered that message to the Louisville Air Pollution Control District board yesterday.

At 4 p.m. today, the environmentalists are scheduled to call for a strong local air toxics control program outside Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson's office downtown.

Scheduled speakers include Lois Gibbs, who in 1978 founded the Love Canal Homeowners' Association and in 1981 formed the group that would become the Center for Health and Environmental Justice.

The Love Canal controversy over a toxic dump in upstate New York prompted the relocation of 900 families in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and led to the passage of the federal Superfund toxic cleanup law in 1980.

At 7 p.m. Friday, Louisiana activist Margie Richard will speak at Quinn Chapel AME Church, 1901 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Richard led a successful effort to win voluntary relocation of residents from her neighborhood and emission reductions from industry in Norco, La.

Last month, Richard was awarded a $125,000 Goldman Environmental Prize.

The participants in the strategy sessions are meeting at an undisclosed location in Clarksville, Ind. The secrecy is needed to make sure their decisions remain private, Schwan said.

Participating groups include national organizations such as Physicians for Social Responsibility, Clean Water Action and the National Council of Churches, as well as smaller groups from communities near industrial facilities.