The Kumeyaay Vision of Earth Justice: An Interview with Bobby Wallace and Sarahmarie Llyemewaa Redfern of the Barona Band of Mission Indians
After years of ignoring indigenous peoples, the U.S. environmental movement has embraced them as partners in protecting the integrity of ecosystems and as teachers in modeling a truly sustainable lifestyle. What are some of the traditions of earth care that the Kumeyaay lived out for thousands of years here in San Diego County, and how did those practices grow out of their religion? Former ICEJ Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson, interviews several members of the Kumeyaay nation including eco-justice activists Bobby Wallace and Sarahmarie Llyemewaa Redfern. Mr. Wallace and Ms. Redfern reflect on their life journeys as activists, direct us toward local eco-justice issues, and address what true justice from the U.S. might look like for the Indigenous.
Note: The El Monte Valley sand mine that is mentioned in both videos has not yet been restarted but we fear that it will be any day now. ICEJ is committed to opposing it if and when it is restarted.
Short Video (6 min)
Full Interview (1.5 hrs)
Ashes 2 Action – A Climate Memorial Service
On Monday, Nov. 13, almost 50 people marched with a cardboard coffin through the streets of downtown San Diego. We processed from Bank of America to Wells Fargo with stops at Chase and Citibank. These are the big four fossil fuels funding banks who have poured over one trillion dollars into the industry since 2016. Outside each bank, we honored the approx. two million people who have died of climate related events over the last fifty years. Members of the Indigenous, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim and Christian faiths offered prayers and rituals from their traditions. Participants ranged in age from late teens to senior citizens and represented the organizations who partnered with ICEJ on the event: SanDiego350, Third Act, Clean Earth 4 Kids, and GreenFaith. We are planning further actions with our “mock” coffin so stay tuned for developments.
Faith in Action – ICEJ and the Environmental Crisis
Phil Petrie was invited to speak at the “Thank Buddha it’s Friday” talk at the Fo Guang Shan Hsi Fang Buddhist Temple. His talk includes a historical perspective on the environmental crisis, what ICEJ believes about faith and action, how different faith traditions offer solution to the environmental crisis and how ICEJ educating, equipping and mobilizing faith communities to take action for climate resilience.
Investing in Our Values with Michael Richardson
As part of our ongoing Advancing Earth Justice speaker series, Michael Richardson, co-founder of Rivers & Mountains GreenFaith and lifelong activist will address how we can move finances from funding fossil fuel extraction, production and distribution… and instead direct bank deposits, insurance premiums, and investment portfolios to fund local businesses and farms, affordable housing, and development of renewable clean energy. His activism is driven by the moral imperative to stop funding climate chaos–the same moral imperative that led ICEJ to pressure Chase, Citibank and Wells Fargo to cease loans to the fossil fuel industry.
Banking on our Future Rally
ICEJ and a coalition of eight environmental justice organizations came together to organize a Third Act National Day of Action in San Diego to protest the big four banks that fund fossil fuel projects by asking people to sign a pledge to divest from these institutions and put their finances in other banks and credit unions that support the environment. In the pouring rain over fifty people joined the rally and watched break dancer performance as well as cut up their credit cards.
Interview with KNSJ 89.1 – Banking on Our Future
Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice: A Call to Hope & Action in San Diego
From Faith to Activism
Empowering Youth
About the Coalition
Videographer: Jason Segal
These videos have been sponsored by ICEJ and SanDiego350 and supported by a generous grant from First Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Hillcrest, San Diego.