The People’s Assembly convened on Jan. 24-25 at All Saints Episcopal Church for its bi-annual, two-day event, bringing together activists, community leaders, and environmental advocates. The gathering aimed to discuss issues of corporate greed, water rights, and labor organization, while strengthening solidarity for environmental justice.

Chloe Torres, Coastal Bend Regional coordinator, led the event. Torres continues the work of the late local labor and immigrant rights advocate Eddie Canales who organized the first People’s Assembly with a focus on uniting sectors of the community.

“It started with Eddie. He knew people in the teacher’s union, environmental justice … he created this coalition,” Torres explained. “He emphasized the People’s Assembly belongs to the community.”

Day 1: Documentary screening and panel discussion

On the evening of Jan. 24, the assembly kicked off with a screening of “Summer of Heat: Gulf South Solidarity Week,” a documentary by Chris Olvera. The film follows communities combating the global effects of desalination, a controversial process that extracts fresh water from seawater but has detrimental environmental impacts.

After the screening, Olvera joined Torres and Deandra “Dee” Sanchez, a two-spirit activist, on a panel discussion about the challenges of resisting corporate power and the importance of solidarity in environmental justice movement. Torres shared their personal experience of being arrested during the protest.

“This was my first time getting arrested … I wanted to save it for something like this. I wasn’t planning on being arrested, I tried to stay away from it. But I felt called to escalate in the honor of those who have fought before us.”

Most activists attending had never been involved in this level of direct action. Some traveled to places like Louisiana and New York, where they met with local and out-of-state activists to share the space and build connections around like-minded passion for social and environmental justice. Sanchez felt this connection very deeply.

“It’s not going to work if we don’t come together,” Goodheart continued, “To unite, for me, it feels like family. As we come together in those spaces, it shows it’s not just a community coming together – it’s family.”

Day 2: Discussion on intersectional movements for justice

On the morning of Jan. 25, the assembly focused on sessions that explored ways in which struggles for environmental justice, worker’s rights, and global solidarity – such as the fight for Palestinian rights – are interconnected. Panelists discussed how building local power and uniting diverse causes are essential to creating lasting, systemic change.

Hillcrest advocate and CEO of L.C. Taylor & Associates Lamont Taylor sat on the first session, an environmental justice panel. A resident of Hillcrest and a vocal advocate for his community, he pleaded with the younger generation who attended to continue the fight for clean air and water of the Coastal Bend.

“You guys under the age of 60, we are leaving this to you. We are telling you all our truths that we know, you guys run with it. Tell the City Council! Tell them how we really feel about this water situation. We need to educate the community,” said Taylor.

With first-time and returning visitors, many participated in questioning the panelist as well as sitting back and watching how others interacted with one another.

Morgan Milligan, a returning participant at The People’s Assembly, appreciates how the event encouraged respectful debates, even when opinions differed, and brought constructive criticism from those challenging other’s viewpoints.

“This event invites people of all dispositions to come in and speak rationally, calmly and passionately. So once the big discussions started and people stood up and started talking, one at a time, I felt the energy stayed positive,” said Milligan.

The sessions covered a variety of topics, but local issues were the main focus.

Julie Rogers, community organizer and former labor organizer, shared her ongoing work with Save our Libraries, an organization focused on defending local libraries.

“When I retired, I chose to serve on the library board. When it came time to re-elect new board members, there was a coup … nationwide Moms for Liberty were censoring books. It opened my eyes because they’re here! In our city government. And they took over our library board … defunding, destabilized and closing down our libraries,” said Rogers.

These efforts have gained momentum from local advocacy groups, often driven by political and social agendas. Supporters, like Moms for Liberty, of library closures argue that certain books available in the libraries are unsuitable and should not be supported with taxpayer dollars. They claim such books contradict their moral or religious values and should not be part of a publicly funded institution.

The assembly concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to continue the work of building a united front against corporate exploitation and for a more just, equitable world.

For more information about the next People’s Assembly, visit social media platforms under the name Texas Campaign for the Environment. To view “Summer of Heat: Gulf South Solidarity Week” visit the Texas Campaign for the Environment’s YouTube channel.

For media inquiries, contact Texas Campaign for the Environment at info@texasenvironment.org or go to  www.texasenvironment.org.