Grassroots Mobilizations in the Southwest for Environmental and Economic Justice

“Participation”, White Privilege and Environmental Justice: Understanding Environmentalism Among Hispanics in Toronto

“…There is a rich history of Latino environmental justice activism in the United States, and a significant body of literature on Latino EJ issues across the USA, from Puerto Rican activism in New York City (Gandy 2002; Sze 2007), to Chicano struggles in the rural Southwest (Córdova 2002; Pulido 1996b). Hispanic populations in the United States are identified as one of the groups most affected by environmental problems (Kirk 1997), and studies have found disproportionate environmental burdens in these communities (for example, Collins et al 2011; Pastor, Sadd and Morello‐Frosch 2002).…”

Connecting Community Voices: Using a Latino/a Critical Race Theory Lens on Environmental Justice Advocacy

“…Some focus has been given to the particular dynamic of environmental racism between New Mexico Hispano communities and mainstream environmental organizations, including early active participation of land-grant activists like Reies Tijerina in el Movimiento of the 1960s civil rights movement (Hammerback & Jensen, 1980;Kosek, 2004;Maciel & Peña, 2000). Recently, scholars have explored the collective grassroots initiatives for land and water resources by New Mexican Chicano/a environmental activists and the feminist epistemology embedded in efforts to affect change (Cordova, 1997;Garcia, 1998;Pulido, 1996). These studies demonstrate the manner in which New Mexico Hispanic communities both struggle with and resist dominant environmental groups and how such conflict has spurred an emphasis on people of color taking action against environmental concerns that affect their communities (Correia, 2007;Figueroa, 2001;Macias, 2008).…”

“…Cordova (1997) highlighted the importance of place-based conservation ideals in the context of Chicano/a land grant communities and grassroots mobilization of Chicano/a activists in the environmental justice movement. Focusing Journal of International and Intercultural Communication 135 on members of SWOP, she concluded that Chicano/as embrace values supportive of the ''collective good'' and maintain cultural and regional identity.…”

Environmental Justice and The Alliance for a Just Transition: Grist for Climate Justice Planning

“…Their use as cheap, exploitable labor was compounded by conditions that included the use of pesticides and other toxic materials including those found in agricultural fields, chemical plants and the manufacturing of garments and high-tech micro-chips (Pulido and Peña 1998;Córdova 1997;Lee 1993;Tau Lee 1992;Romero 2021;Castellón 2021). Struggles against exploitation and contamination is part of the history that can be found in stories, organizational documents, newsletters, and legal briefs (see Taylor 2004;Peña 2011;Pardo 1998;Córdova 1997Córdova , 2002Pulido 1996;Bryant and Mohai 1992;Bullard 1990Bullard , 1993.…”

“…Recognizing the importance of this coalescence, Reverend Chavis and several other key individuals facilitated the coming together in 1991 of activists of color from impacted communities along with their allies 2 to Washington, D.C. for the First People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit (Allston 2010). The more than 500 participants drafted a preamble and seventeen principles of environmental justice in which they declared,WE THE PEOPLE OF COLOR, gathered together at this multinational People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, to begin to build a national and international movement of all peoples of color to fight the destruction and taking of our lands and communities… (First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit Proceedings 1991)…”