And they’re off!

The People’s Freedom Caravan riders gathered in San Antonio in the early dawn hours this morning to embark on their 11-day epic journey to the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit. The “social forum on wheels” has begun, and on the bus together are both new and seasoned organizers, school workers, immigrant rights and environmental justice advocates, independent media-makers, youth and grandmothers.

“We’re on the road again, because there is still so much to fight for,” says Tanya Garduño, who recently returned from the historic immigrant rights marches in Phoenix, AZ.

Along their journey, caravanistas will connect with over 100 grassroots organizations, sharing culture, comida, history, and struggles through shared action. They will arrive in Detroit with new relationships and understanding of the work of fellow organizers struggling for indigenous, worker, immigrant, and environmental justice all across the Midwest.

“I hope to get knowledge about social issues that are going on in the world. It’s the sort of knowledge should be in schools, but it’s not,” said Juan Atilano, 17-year old caravanista and summer intern with SWU.

Next stop: Ponca City, Oklahoma!