It was indeed a memorable experience to be back in Albuquerque, New Mexico this June 5-9, 2011 on the Peoples Movements Assembly Southwest Organizing Tour. Reynaldo Padilla Teruel, Nicole Soto Rodriguez and Ruben Solis Garcia, have bee visiting social movements in the Southwest PMA organizing tour. The PMA SW tour is being organized by Southwest Workers Union. We visited the SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP). This 30 year old community organization was founded by Jeanne Gauna and Richard Moore. We also visited and worked on the SWOP community gardens, under the program they have established called 'Feed the Hood'. The community gardens are coordinated by Joaquin Lujan, a veteran organizer for 40 years plus, Rodrigo Rodriguez and Travis Travieso. We participated in a day long community garden work planting a half acre garden at the home of Tomas Garduno.
In visiting SWOP we want to dedicate this tour to the living memory of Jeanne Gauna who lost the battle with cancer after winning so many battles in the movement arena. Jeanne Gauna was a tireless fighter for the grassroots community and working people till the very end. She worked to establish and develop SWOP for over 30 years or more, first in the Chican@ movement and then fighting for environmental and economic justice. She worked to develop a new generation of organizers and community leaders that continue to work at SWOP today six years after her passing. She will always be remembered for her words "We are winning" and in chorus We say 'Jeanne Gauna' Presente!
Viva Jeanne Gauna!!!!
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