Southwest Workers Union Presenté: Texas Delegation to Power Shift 2013
Last week, after months of preparation, fundraising, and anticipation, the Southwest Workers Union delegation to Power Shift began their trek. Picking up allies from T.E.J.A.S. and Tar Sands Blockade in Houston and Beaumont, the caravan travelled through fog and across nine states to reach the climate change conference in Pittsburgh, PA. Upon arrival at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, one of the greenest convention centers in the country, familiar faces greeted the SWU crew. In order to accommodate the 6,000+ Power Shift attendees, the opening plenary was held in a massive space resembling an airplane hangar. Despite the chilly, cavernous setting, speeches by Yudith Nieto of Manchester Houston and Philip Agnew of Dream Defenders created a feeling of movement power, community, and feverish anticipation.
This year’s Power Shift included numerous panels and workshops coming from an environmental justice perspective. Among the presenters were Ivan Bermejo from the Youth Leadership Organization and co-director Diana Lopez from Southwest Workers Union. Saturday morning was full of environmental justice panels lead by frontline leaders of color. “You Are What You Eat, So What Are You?: A Discussion on Food Justice,” featured Edison HS student Ivan who informed participants about his campaign for just and sustainable food programs at his campus. Participants were able to ask questions and learn about what grassroots organizing campaigns in public high schools can look like.
Another panel SWU was part of was “Everybody’s Movement: Racism and the Climate Movement.” The articulate panelists from Detroit, Houston, DC, LA and San Antonio shared stories and theory to explain to the standing-room only crowd the challenges and frustrations people of color frequently face in organizing, specifically in the climate movement. This candid discussion highlighted issues within the movement that have frequently received inadequate consideration in settings like Power Shift, which is primarily attended by white, middle-class college students. The conversation continued into the afternoon with the People of Color Caucus and Anti-Oppression Trainings presented to packed rooms with folks spilling out into the hallways and crowding around doorways to listen.
Saturday evening SWU and TEJAS hosted a fun and relaxing meet and greet with allies from The Los Angeles Labor and Community Strategy Center. After enjoying pizza and snacks, folks were inspired and encouraged by Kandi Mossett’s community about how they have resisted the exploitation of their land and sacrificing of their people by fracking companies in North Dakota.
Sunday’s schedule included an engaging workshop facilitated by youth organizers from Edison High School entitled “Uplifting Community Expertise: Using Popular Education to Translate Scientific Information.” The conference concluded with a fierce mujer Crystal Lameman who shared the reality from Beaver Lake, Alberta. She reminded listeners to move forward in the fight with strength and resilience.
One notable aspect of the conference was the lack of representation of folks from the South. The Texas State breakout was grouped with the Arkansas breakout session in a room with lecture-hall style seating. The 25 or so folks in the Texas breakout (several of whom do not currently live in Texas, but have connections to the state) chose to meet in the hallway. An online network of students and community organizers was created to unite folks across the state working on climate, fracking, food justice, and pipeline issues in culturally diverse communities.
In between panels and workshops, members of the SWU delegation attended documentary screenings and concerts, created art for the Power Shift action, and shared meals over conversations on topics from permaculture to combatting environmental racism. At the culminating Power Shift action on Monday, 1000s of young people rallied and marched for clean energy and a just future. Back in San Antonio, the SWU crew is energized and focused on continuing the fight for environmental and social justice in San Antonio. We continue to work and engage in open dialogue to incorporate issues around root causes, racism, workers rights, and youth leadership in the larger national climate movement.
