Season of Dissent: Expression & Unity in the Environmental Justice Movement
An unforgettable afternoon where we gathered to honor and elevate the power of expression, unity, and civil disobedience in the Environmental Justice movement.
In Season of Dissent, we spotlit voices at the forefront of the fight for environmental justice and democracy, centering the essential freedoms of expression and assembly.
Counterstream featured powerful stories from activists and organizers who have taken bold stands against environmental injustices that threaten their communities and our shared future. Hear their stories of resistance, resilience, and creativity as they use art, protest, and unity to defend our collective rights.
Storytellers included:
Thalia Cachimuel, Director of Philanthropic Networks, NDN Collective
Kizzy Charles-Guzman, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Environmental Health
Chris Tandazo, Statewide EJ Organizer, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance
Our story salon was hosted by Counterstream's Executive Director, Houston-based community strategist Michael McKenzie.
Special Announcement:
This Story Salon will be featured in the next season of the People over Plastic Podcast as the season finale, set to be released in October.
Highlights
Photography by Chess Jakobs for Counterstream Media.
Please reach out to hello@counterstream.org for permission to use.
Thank you
This story salon was made possible with support from our partners:
Why Environmental Justice Matters:
Environmental justice recognizes that marginalized communities—especially communities of color, Indigenous communities, and low-income populations—bear the brunt of environmental harms while being systematically excluded from decision-making processes. This event honors those communities and ensures their voices are not just heard but centered in the struggle for a healthier, more equitable world.
Counterstream's storytelling events aim to shift the narrative and uncover the untold stories of environmental racism. These powerful stories generate empathy, raise awareness and ignite action among the public. Our in-person gatherings across the nation stoke dialogue, fuel strategic collaborations and build movement in culturally-relevant spaces.
About Counterstream:
At Counterstream Media (formerly People over Plastic) we’re on a mission to center the stories and perspectives that mainstream media often miss. We believe in the power of personal narratives to spark meaningful conversations and shift power from extractors to justice. Through our diverse and expansive media initiatives including podcasts, investigative journalism, and live storytelling events, we uplift voices and share stories that have long been sidelined and overlooked.