The full group poses after a busy and inspiring two-day intensive training. Photo credit: Catalina de Onís
In mid-July, the Just Transition Alliance gathered a big group of labor and environmental justice organizers for a “training of trainers,” hosted by United Steelworkers Local 675 in Los Angeles. Some of our experienced trainers were joined by a wide variety of new folks, including representatives of USW 675, Comunidades Aliadas Tomando Acción, Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, Physicians for Social Responsibility—Los Angeles, Valley Improvement Projects, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, Familias Unidas por la Justicia, Central Florida Jobs with Justice, New Mexico No False Solutions Coalition, and several other organizations with whom we are building new relationships.
Role play exercises were a highlight for many participants. Photo credit: Catalina de Onís
We had a room full of brilliant minds from around California and across the country, who all jumped excitedly into our popular education programs. In two days, we trained them up on how to facilitate two different trainings, one about concepts of just transition, and the other about organizing justice-based markets campaigns. Moving forward, we are keeping the inspiring conversation going, planning more local trainings in each of their communities and workplaces, and continuing to expand opportunities to empower even more trainers to seed these vital conversations into their existing economic and environmental justice organizing.
In the past year, we’ve been doing more trainings than ever, and in the coming years we will continue to escalate this aspect of our work. Popular education presents great opportunities to grow strong relationships and interwoven movements; to provide tools that can accelerate local struggles; and to bring hope, joy, and motivation to those who are fighting for a better world.
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Learning about chemicals of concern in common household products. Photo credit: Catalina de Onís