Voces de SWU: People's Movement Assembly on the Road

I involved in the Southwest Tour of the Peoples Movement Assembly that took off from San Antonio on March 2 and ending March 18.

The tour visited El Paso, Texas and did a follow up to the PMA-ELP that took place 1.23.2010. While in El Paso, I participated in the community meeting of Labor Justice. This is a grassroots effort to get justice for workers not paid by their employers.

The tour visited Carefree, Arizona where I met with the Tribal Council representative of the Havasupai People at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I learned of the struggle for justice against the University of Arizona because of blood samples taken of the Havasupai for DNA research without their knowledge or consent. Additionally, I learned of the struggle against the uranium mining in the Grand Canyon. This mining activity has stepped up since the Obama administration came out supporting nuclear power plants.

The tour visited San Francisco and the SF-PMA on March 13, 2010 at PODER offices in the Mission District. More than 75 people attended a standing room only event. The participants represented very diverse sectors, issues and organizations.

The month of March will also see a trip to New Orleans to participate in the Pick up the Peace event organized by the NOLA Organizers Roundtable. The SWU participation might include youth representatives and also I will facilitate the Sunday PMA.

- Ruben Solis