South Texas "Cumbre" Empowers Residents of All Legal Statuses for Political Engagement

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During the Cumbre de Miembros 2024 in San Juan on Sept. 14, people cast their votes for the topics that they are interested in La Union del Pueblo Entero, or LUPE, focusing on for the next two years. Credit: Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune.

South Texas "Cumbre" Empowers Residents of All Legal Statuses for Political Engagement

Berenice Garcia, Texas Tribune.- In San Juan, Texas, the biennial "cumbre" convened over 100 locals in a historic gathering place adorned with murals depicting the struggles and triumphs of migrant farmworkers. This event, rooted in the legacies of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, brings together residents of the Rio Grande Valley to voice concerns and propose changes, regardless of their legal status. Franciso Martinez, a keynote speaker, emphasized the power of community action over the limitation of voting rights, inspiring participants to advocate for themselves and their neighbors. La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), a grassroots organization established by Chavez and Huerta, continues to drive this initiative, focusing on the critical needs of colonia communities. This year's convention expanded to include all LUPE members, highlighting democratic engagement through focus groups and resolution voting, showing a significant shift towards inclusive community activism.