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PC4EJ Named 2026 Latino Spirit Award Honoree by the California Latino Legislative Caucus
SACRAMENTO, CA — People’s Collective for Environmental Justice (PC4EJ) was honored at the California Latino Legislative Caucus’s 2026 Latino Spirit Awards after being nominated by Assemblymember Robert Garcia. The recognition highlights PC4EJ’s leadership in advancing environmental justice across the Inland Empire and its ongoing work alongside frontline communities.
Angelica Balderas, Digital Strategist and Communications Coordinator, represented PC4EJ during the ceremony and walked with Assemblymember Garcia as part of the honoree procession. Co‑Director Andrea Vidaurre attended in support, reflecting the organization’s commitment to community‑rooted leadership and the partnerships that strengthen environmental justice efforts. A memorable moment of the event included meeting Los Tigres del Norte, who received the Legacy Award and added a meaningful cultural presence to the celebration.
The Latino Spirit Awards, established in 2002, honor individuals and organizations whose work uplifts and strengthens Latino communities across California. PC4EJ was recognized in the Environmental Justice category for its role in addressing pollution, environmental racism, and public health impacts in the Inland Empire.
People’s Collective for Environmental Justice is a community‑centered organization working with residents to build healthier and more resilient neighborhoods throughout the region.
Protect Our Communities from Port Pollution
Join us at AQMD to demand accountability from the Ports of LA & LB and protect our region from freight-related emissions.
Even miles from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, our communities bear the burden of their pollution. One-third of all containers arriving at the Ports travel through our neighborhoods by train. The rest? They’re hauled in by trucks heading to warehouses built dangerously close to our homes, schools, and parks.
The Ports grew because our region built the infrastructure to support them. Now they want to double in size, without a clear plan to address the toxic emissions that expansion will bring.
📣 This Friday at 9 AM, join us at AQMD to stand with neighboring communities and demand clean air, environmental justice, and real accountability from Port polluters. Our voices matter. Let’s make them heard.
To get involved locally at the ports, reach out to our friends at East Yard Communities for EJ.
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AQMD Monthly meeting of the Governing Board.
11/07/2025 AT 9:00 AM
In-Person at: Dr. William A. Burke Auditorium
South Coast AQMD Headquarters
21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar
Or Remotely via Zoom Webinar Link: https://aqmd.zoomgov.com/j/1600528849
Zoom Webinar ID: 160 052 8849
Monthly meeting of the Governing Board.
SB 34 Veto Preserves Local Power to Protect Clean Air
SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Environmental justice organizations across California raised concerns about Senate Bill 34 and its potential to limit the authority of local air districts to regulate pollution from freight hubs, ports, and warehouses. Today, we share an important update: SB 34 has been vetoed.
This decision helps preserve the ability of agencies like the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) to enforce community-driven Indirect Source Rules (ISRs), which have led to cleaner air and healthier neighborhoods across our region.
“The veto of SB 34 helps preserve the authority of our local air district to regulate the goods movement industry,” said Andrea Viduarre, Policy Analyst and Advocate, People’s Collective for Environmental Justice (PC4EJ). “In a time when communities are increasingly concerned about air quality and environmental health, it’s vital that local agencies retain the ability to protect public health. We’re grateful to the many residents and organizations who raised their voices on this issue. We hope this moment encourages AQMD to continue exercising its regulatory power in service of clean air. We will also continue to highlight concerns that electrification should not lead to increased automation at the expense of port workers.”
PC4EJ remains committed to educating communities about the policies that shape our environment and health. We encourage residents to stay informed, attend public meetings, and continue advocating for clean air solutions that reflect local needs.
Clean air isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
For more background on SB 34 and its implications, read our original post: When Cleaner Air Gets Blocked, Communities Pay the Price.
When Cleaner Air Gets Blocked, Communities Pay the Price
UPDATE: SB 34 Veto Preserves Local Power to Protect Clean Air
In California, clean air isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a matter of justice, health, and community voice. A proposed bill called SB34 could quietly reshape how local air districts protect us from pollution, and the consequences run deep.
SB34 targets Indirect Source Rules (ISRs), the flexible, community-driven policies that allow regions like ours to reduce air pollution from freight hubs, ports, warehouses, and other mobile sources. These rules have already led to real progress, like investments in zero-emission fleets, electric charging stations, and cleaner operations that benefit the people who live, work, and go to school nearby.
But if SB34 moves forward, that momentum could stall. Local agencies may lose their authority to enforce health-protective policies based on community needs. Residents who have spent years advocating for stronger air quality standards could find their voices silenced mid-process. And vague legal language in the bill threatens to freeze innovation and delay solutions, just as pollution spikes are expected this summer in key shipping regions.
This isn’t about politics. It’s about people.
Families near freight corridors already face higher rates of asthma and respiratory illnesses. They deserve clean air, just like anyone else. SB34 could strip away the tools our districts use to help meet those needs. Meanwhile, broader litigation risks and environmental setbacks could cost California millions, economically and medically, while leaving vulnerable communities in limbo.
We’re here to build understanding and a healthier future for all.
As neighbors, leaders, educators, and advocates, we have the right to learn what’s happening and ask questions that shape our future. That means attending community meetings, staying informed, and helping others understand why bills like SB34 matter, even when they’re complex.
Clean air isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
Let’s keep learning, sharing, and protecting the people and places we love. Because when local voices are heard, change becomes possible, from warehouse corridors to our classroom windows.
