On Sunday, May 26, the delegation drove from Baton Rouge to San Antonio passing numerous petro-chemical plants along the way.  In San Antonio we were hosted by the Southwest Workers Union (SWU) and warmly welcomed by them upon our arrival. We had a relaxing evening enjoying a barbecue at the home of Ruben Solis from SWU. The next three days were packed with activities that exposed the delegation to yet another side of the US.
 
 

Ruben Solis, SWU's Program Developer, briefs the delegation on the history of South Texas and problems facing the region including northern Mexico.

Chavel Lopez, SWU's Executive Director, explains the structure and organizing strategies of the organization during the morning orientation.

Petra Mata (left) and Viola Casares from Fuerza Unida explain the struggles of the former women workers at the Levis plant in San Antonio. They formed Fuerza, after their lay-offs, which acts as a co-operative that offers trainings to other women workers.

The delegation with Fuerza staff and volunteers outside their offices.

The Boeing plant on what was Kelly Air Force Base (closed July 13, 2001) and now called Kelly USA. San Antonio is the home to Seven different US Military bases.  Most of Kelly's military operations have been transferred to the adjacent Lackland Air Force Base and the rest of the operations have been outsources to private companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Electric.

Genaro Lopez, SWU's environmental justice organizer, briefs the delegation on the history of Kelly and the contamination of the underground wells from the operations at the air force base.

Yolanda Johnson, a resident of North Kelly Gardens and wife of Leroy Johnson, an ex-worker at Kelly, shows the delegation pictures of her grandchildren and explains the many health problems they have from living next to the contaminated Kelly Base. Yolanda and Leroy have been very active in organizing their neighbors and raising people's awareness of the local health problems.

A picture of three of Yolanda and Leroy Johnson's grandchildren.  Her grandson (seated left), now 15 years old, has no hair growth.  While doctors can not explain his condition, the family believes that the contamination from Kelly is to blame. Over 90% of adults and 75% of children in North Kelly Gardens suffer from multiple health problems.

Che Lopez, Lead Organizer for SWU, shows the South Africans the Newell metal recycling center located in the predominately Chicano South side of San Antonio.

This Newell plant contaminates the surrounding community with Lead, which is linked to learning disabilities among children.

Students, faculty and staff at the Sam Houston High School in the predominately African American East side of San Antonio are exposed to noxious fumes and toxins...

...from the adjacent Koch oil tank farms, and creosole poles at the City Public Service maintenance facility site.

A home cooked dinner at SWU members, Robert and Guadeloupe Alverado's home near Kelly USA.

On Tuesday May 28, 2002 the delegation had lunch with members of SWU's Local 1 and elected school board members in the Edgewood school district of San Antonio.  Local I is involved in a living wage campaign for classified and paraprofessional school workers, the majority of whom earn below the national poverty level.

On Wednesday May 29, 2002, the delegation toured murals in the Chicano West side of San Antonio with San Anto Cultural Arts, an organization which provides the local community with the tools to express themselves, their culture and history through the arts.  San Anto lead the delegation on a tour of murals done by community members and San Anto Cultural Arts.  San Anto also runs a monthly newspaper written by youth and adults from the community.  To take a tour of the murals and see their newspaper visit their website.
 

The delegation at the Peace and Remembrance mural commemorating all those who lost their lives to violence.  The tour was lead by Manuel Castillo standing third from the left.

Caroline Ntaopane discussing the Break the Cycle of Abuse mural with artist Ruth Buentello from the South side of San Antonio.  Along with San Anto, Ruth is involved in SWU's campaign against the Newell metal recycling center.

That evening, the delegation participated in a Youth Forum at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center attended by over 20 young people from around San Antonio and Hondo.  The Forum was opened by a traditional Aztec dance and ceremony.  The South African youth introduced themselves and spoke about their communities, including the struggle for environmental justice.  The youth from San Antonio shared their experiences including the struggle to stop the demolition of La Gloria, a historic building used as a dance hall by the Mexican community in San Antonio during the early part of the 20th century.
 
 

Seipati Mokoka talks about her community, Kliptown, and the contamination of the Klip River which runs through her community.  She also made the connection between the river and its importance to her culture.  Her vision to clean up and revitalize the river includes creating safe spaces for young people to learn, share and express their culture.

Elisa Hlongwane shares the experiences of Zamdela, across from Sasol and other petro-chemical industries, where constant coughing, eye and skin irritations are the norm.

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