Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice (ICEJ) is a volunteer organization of San Diego faith leaders and communities that advocate for climate and environmental justice both in policy and in the public square. We believe that the values held in common by all faith traditions include the care for creation and care for the most vulnerable in society.

Photo (altered with app) credit: Robert Harding

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?  For this FREE event sponsored by the Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice, former ICEJ Chairperson Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson will interview several members of the Kumeyaay nation including eco-justice activists Bobby Wallace and Sarahmarie Llyemewaa Redfern.  Mr. Wallace and Ms. Redfern will also 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.  Join us on Thurs. June 27 at 7 PM at the Southeastern Live Well Center, 5101 Market St. San Diego (note: I incorrectly entered the address in a "Save the Date" email some of you may have received--this is the correct address).  We also hope to livestream this event (part of ICEJ’s Advancing Earth Justice series)–stay tuned for more details.  Contact Phil Petrie at phil@icejsd.org or (619) 776-1013 for more information.

(SD County Health & Human Services Agency does not advocate or endorse the views or positions expressed by the users of its facilities.)

Photo credit: Susan Cass

Do you seek a low commitment, hands-in-the-soil way to volunteer while building a sense of belonging with people of various faith backgrounds?

If so, this new initiative might be what you’ve been looking for. The idea is for people from different faith backgrounds to join together one Saturday morning per month to work on rotating projects such as beach clean-ups, planting trees, urban harvest, etc. and afterwards, for anyone who is able, gather at a local restaurant for connection, conversation and lunch.

Please contact Susan Cass if you are interested in participating and/or if you would like to join the Hands in Soil leadership team to create this initiative -   SusanPannierCass@gmail.com

Photo credit: Frances Motiwalla; from left to right: Dorrie Bruggeman, Cherry Robinson, Bill Powers

Since ICEJ has been supporting this effort from the start we wanted to update you.  Power San Diego volunteers collected over 30,000 signatures to put an initiative to fire SDG&E and replace them with not-for-profit public power on the ballot in November.  This was not enough to put the measure on the ballot, but it was enough to require the City Council to hold a vote on whether they would place it on the Nov. ballot.  On June 10, 50 persons showed up in Council chambers to support the measure and make public comments (our Co-Chair Phil Petrie made comments virtually), however the Council voted unanimously against it.  So we lost this time, but the fight is far from over.  Bill Powers (who led this campaign) and many, many others are committed to keep pushing, so stay tuned.

Thank you to all of you who worked hard collecting signatures–it can be daunting work and you came through with flying colors.  Special shout out to Jim DeHarpporte and Bob and Joan Reese who between them probably collected about 500 signatures.  You guys are great!!!  And if I missed any ICEJ (or Simpler Living) petitioning superstars, please forgive my shaky memory.

Donate to support Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice and the work we are doing to educate, equip and mobilize our communities of faith to advocate for earth justice.