Southwest Network for Economic and Environmental Justice

Map showing the southwestern region of the United States.

The Southwest Network for Economic and Environmental Justice (SNEEJ) is a multi-racial, grassroots coalition based in the southwestern United States. SNEEJ was established in the 1990s by Richard Moore in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during a People of Color Regional Activist Dialogue on Environmental Justice set up by the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP). ^[1] SNEEJ was formed to address systemic injustices affecting marginalized communities during the time with a focus on addressing environmental justice issues and economic disparities present within communities of color. ^{[1] [2]}

Origins

SNEEJ was started in April 1990 during a People of Color Regional Activist Dialogue on Environmental Justice set up by the Southwest Organizational Project (SWOP). ^{[1] [3] [4]} Richard Moore served as the Executive Director of SNEEJ from 1993 to 2010 before he took on the role of Senior Advisor. ^[5] He had also been a founding member of SWOP but left the organization in the 1990s. ^{[3] [4]} SNEEJ was formed in response to a growing concern for the economic and environmental exploitation of communities of color, Indigenous peoples, and low-income populations in the southwest of the United States. ^[1] The network was founded as a coalition of grassroots organizations in the southwest, but later grew to include organizations from Northern Mexico, seeking to challenge present inequalities while also providing a platform for collaboration and support amongst those involved. ^{[1] [4]} SNEEJ has worked on issues including the usage of harmful pesticides in agricultural communities, lead poisoning, landfill regulations, and how they affect marginalized communities of color. ^{[1] [4]} Through its work, the network sought to bring together organizations and individuals from diverse racial, cultural, and social communities to create and advocate for solutions to environmental and economic issues. ^{[1] [3]} SNEEJ also provides training and leadership development opportunities and resources. ^{[1] [6]}

Key work

Environmental Protection Agency accountability campaign

Seal of the United States Environmental Protection Agency

SNEEJ originally launched its accountability campaign against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on July 31, 1991. ^[1] To launch this campaign, SNEEJ sent letters to the EPA regional offices of Dallas, Denver, and San Francisco. These letters detailed examples of the EPA's inaction to environmental injustices harmful to people of color. ^[1] The letters also requested a meeting between the EPA and SNEEJ and new policies to address the EPA's past discrimination. ^[6] In response to the letter the EPA eventually agreed to negotiate with the network. Publicity on the effects of pesticides and industrial pollution on the surrounding communities put pressure on the EPA to address the environmental justice concerns. ^[1] As a result of the actions of the SNEEJ, the EPA was forced to address the issues of environmental injustice with increased enforcement of regulations on communities of color as well as a reexamination of U.S. environmental policy. ^{[1] [6]} The network's campaign also led to the creation of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Committee to the EPA. ^[1] The advisory committee was chaired by SNEEJ founding member, Richard Moore, and established an official voice for SNEEJ and other grassroots organizations. ^[1]

Support of Indigenous American groups

SNEEJ's campaign against the misuse of Indigenous land was a joint effort between the network and Indigenous Americans. ^[1] Originally, this campaign began as an education project of the network but grew from there as SNEEJ began working with Indigenous tribes on important environmental justice issues impacting southwestern Indigenous Americans. ^[1] SNEEJ helped support the Western Shoshone end missile testing, the Diné (Navajo) end mining by Peabody Coal, and the Havasupai in their fight against uranium mining. ^{[1] [3]} Over the years, the network has continued to work with indigenous groups on other related issues. ^[6]

Richard Moore

Richard Moore is an environmental justice advocate and leader. ^[7] In the 1960s, Moore moved to New Mexico, where he helped to form the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) with Jeanne Guana; he served as co-director. ^[8] In the 1990s, after leaving SWOP, Moore became a founding member of SNEEJ. ^{[4] [7] [8]} Since the formation of the SNEEJ, Moore has continued to advocate for environmental justice and other issues affecting marginalized communities. ^{[2] [8] [7]}

References

1. Martínez, Elizabeth Sutherland (1998). De colores means all of us: Latina views for a multi-colored century (1st ed.). Cambridge, MA: South End Press. ISBN   978-0-89608-583-1.
2. Isaiah (2023-08-14). "TCF Honors Richard Moore and Gina Ramirez with 2023 Peter A.A. Berle Environmental Integrity Awards". The Century Foundation. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
3. Almeida, Paul (March 1994). "The network for environmental and economic justice in the Southwest: Interview with Richard Moore" . Capitalism Nature Socialism. 5 (1): 21–54. doi:10.1080/10455759409358574. ISSN   1045-5752.
4. Ring, Arla Shephard, Ray (2010-01-26). "'The environment … is where we live'". High Country News. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
5. "Richard Moore". Just Transition Alliance. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
6. Córdova, Teresa (2002-03-27). "Grassroots Mobilizations in the Southwest for Environmental and Economic Justice" . International Journal of Public Administration. 25 (2–3): 333–349. doi:10.1081/PAD-120013240. ISSN   0190-0692.
7. AndrewW (2022-05-12). "A Little Bit of Justice: Richard Moore on the Fight for Environmental Equity". CleanAIRE NC. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
8. "Albuquerque Grassroots Leader Richard Moore Receives Top Honor From National Health Care Association". Coming Clean Inc. Retrieved 2024-11-26.