Angel Macario-Flores and Victoria Valdez are joining the LAUSD Clean Energy Task Force.

June 22, 2021, HRW STF Weekly Update:

Student voices will be heard for the first time at the July 1 meeting of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Clean Energy Task Force.

Victoria Valdez, STF leader at Hamilton HS, and Angel Macario-Flores, STF leader at Palisades Charter HS, will attend the meeting as student representatives, committed to bringing 100% renewable energy to all LAUSD campuses. They will join representatives from energy providers, renewable energy experts, clean energy advocates, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Southern California Edison, the Clean Power Alliance, and 100% Green Schools LA. The Task Force also includes LAUSD representatives from Facilities, Office of Environmental Health & Safety, Transportation Services Division, Food Services Division and the Division of Instruction.

“We must fight climate change,” says Victoria, “or our environment will only continue to be damaged for our futures.”

“It is incredibly important for me and my fellow students to combat climate change,” Angel agreed. “We are all committed to keeping our planet alive.”

Victoria and Angel both emphasized, “We are truly honored to become part of LAUSD’s Clean Energy Task Force as student representatives! We will give it our all to represent the student voice and report back to our peers!”

LAUSD is the second largest school district in the United States with 1,140 school sites, spread out over 700 square miles. LAUSD is also the LADWP’s biggest customer.

Dear STF students, teachers and friends,

Despite Covid pandemic shutdowns across the country, STF was able to reach record numbers in their school communities and beyond, advocating for voting rights and to fight climate change.

STF registered voters in California and hosted a virtual Town Hall to educate voters on human rights at stake in California Propositions 16, 17 and 18.

STF chapters pressed school decision-makers to transition campuses to 100% renewable energy, starting conversations about climate change where there had been silence.

STF strengthened the human rights movement!

We have all been inspired by your commitment and achievements!

Ever onward,
STF Team: Pam, Kristin, Nancy, Brennie, Karina, Sea and Josiah

Scroll to recap this year’s activities:

August 31, 2020: Introducing STF Chapter Presidents

To kick off the 2020-2021 academic year, the STF team interviewed incoming chapter presidents to learn why they wanted to lead their STF chapter, why they joined STF and why they believe our “Vote for Human Rights” Campaign is important?

September 12, 2020: Defend the Right to Vote

Inspired by Nicole Austin-Hillery, HRW’s Executive Director of the U.S. Program, STF launched their Vote for Human Rights Campaign at the 2020 STF Virtual Fall Leadership Workshop. Nicole urged participants to defend the human right to vote by getting people registered to vote, signed up to be poll workers and monitoring for instances of voter suppression. Watch Nicole’s conversation and Q&A.

October 14, 2020: Educate. Advocate. Vote.

Approximately 80 STFers participated in an STF Virtual Town Hall event to learn about the human rights issues involved in the pros and cons of California Propositions 16, 17 and 18. Special guest speakers included CA State Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber, who was key in getting Prop 16 on the ballot, two representatives from the Anti-Recidivism Coalition who were disenfranchised due to their past incarceration in California’s criminal justice system, and Ryan Beam, a youth advocate for Prop 18. Watch the Town Hall.

October 15-22, 2020: Vote in STF’s Mock Election

To encourage STFers to become active voters once old enough to cast a ballot, STF hosted a mock election. Students, teachers, alumni and friends voted on the presidential race, as well as California Propositions 16, 17 and 18.

November 3, 2020: Growing Power of Our Vote

STFers shared their experiences voting in the 2020 election.

December 10, 2020: HRE USA Honors Pam Bruns

Human Rights Educators USA (HRE USA) awarded STF’s Executive Director Pam Bruns the 2020 Edward O’Brien Human Rights Education Award for her significant contribution to human rights education in the United States.  Learn more about the award.

December 10, 2020: International Human Rights Day

To celebrate International Human Rights Day, STF featured members reading the 30 articles of the UDHR in 10 languages spoken by STFers. Watch our STFers in action!

January 23-30, 2021: STF’s Screening of I AM GRETA

As introduction to the launch of STF’s “Human Rights and Climate Crisis Campaign”, STFers participated in a special screening of I AM GRETA hosted by the Human Rights Watch Student Task Force, Can You Hear Us and SIMA Studios. Watch the film’s trailer.

January 30, 2021: Never Underestimate the Power of A Student

Nearly a 100 students, teachers, alumni and guests gathered virtually to launch the Human Rights and the Climate Crisis Campaign at the 2021 STF Winter Workshop. Diana Michaelson, 15, introduced the Green Schools Campaign while Josiah Edwards, STF spring intern and Los Angeles-based climate activist, shared his experience with environmental racism growing up in Carson, CA. Watch the workshop.

February 10-18, 2021: An Action Handbook for STF

Using the Action Handbook for STF Simon Aron, Green Schools Campaign co-founder and 15-year-old climate activist, trained STFers and helped them determine first steps in their advocacy to transition their campuses to 100% renewable energy. Watch the training.

February – March 2021: What’s Your Climate Story?

STFers shared their climate stories via video and photograph, to help us all think about how climate change is impacting our communities.

February 19, 2021: Pali Fights Climate Change with Mr. Steve Engelmann

The Pali STF chapter hosted AP Environmental Science teacher, Mr. Steve Engelmann, as he shared steps he has taken to encourage Palisades Charter High School to transition to 100% renewable energy. He discussed various student sustainability projects, the obstacles they faced, and provided campaign recommendations. Watch the discussion.

March 2, 2021: SAMO’s Progress towards a Cleaner & Greener School

Ansel Garcia-Langley, Santa Monica HS (SAMO) alumnus and former Team Marine president, met with the SAMO STF chapter to share his experience working with school administrators and district staff on sustainability issues. He provided students with information about initiatives and projects started while he was involved with Team Marine, including hiring a district sustainability coordinator, a position Team Marine advocated for while he was president. Watch the discussion.

April 22, 2021: Investigate, Expose, Change

As part of STF’s advocacy to transition high schools across Southern California to 100% renewable energy, commit to energy efficiency plans, and engage in climate justice education, the STF hosted over 150 students, teachers, administrators and community members at the “Human Rights and the Climate Crisis” Virtual Town Hall on Earth Day 2021. Watch the event.

May 5, 2021: Rohingya Strong

To commemorate Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month, STF hosted a virtual conversation with writer and human rights activist, Imran Mohammed, entitled “Genocide and the Climate Crisis”. After telling his powerful story, there was an opportunity for participants to join Imran Mohammed in a Q&A session. Watch the meeting.

Imran Mohammad answers questions at STF’s “Genocide and the Climate Crisis” event. Watch the meeting.

May 5, 2021: To commemorate Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month, STF hosted a virtual conversation with writer and human rights activist, Imran Mohammed, entitled “Genocide and the Climate Crisis”.

“People like me don’t have the choice to decide or make plans to leave our motherland on a specific date, at a particular time, and from a selected place. We are so desperate to escape from a life-and-death situation,” Imran said. More than 80 attendees listened to him share his experience as a Rohingya refugee fleeing genocide in Myanmar and immigrating to the U.S.

After telling his powerful story, there was an opportunity for participants to join Imran Mohammed in a Q&A session. One question prompted Imran to illustrate, in stark terms, the connection between the climate crisis and genocide. “To those who are in Myanmar, any climate and ecological collapse will really destroy their lives, because their freedom of movement is restricted – they can’t go anywhere,” said Imran. “Those who are in [Bangladesh makeshift] camps, they are cutting down all the trees to make their tent[s]. The soil is becoming very fragile, especially during the monsoon season. There is water everywhere. They lost their homes overnight and people die.”

In light of the tragic events Imran Mohammed endured, he emphasized to everyone the importance of the role that human rights advocates play in saving lives, saying “My freedom and future are not only down to my strong will and determination, but also to organizations like HRW that don’t turn a blind eye towards people like me who face abuse, torture, the loss of dignity and life… I wouldn’t be here speaking with all of you if people didn’t care.”

You are invited to commemorate Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month with a conversation about the intersection of genocide and the global climate crisis. Meet Imran Mohammad on Wednesday, May 5 at 7 pm on Zoom! Imran is a Rohingya refugee who had to flee for his life at age 16 and now advocates tirelessly for refugee rights. Don’t miss it!

Important Information:

Who: You, STF students, teachers, alumni
When: Wednesday, May 5, 7:00-8:00pmPT
Where: Virtually on Zoom. RSVP today to receive the zoom link to participate!

We hope to see you there,
Pam, Kristin, Nancy, Brennie, Karina, Sea and Josiah

Watch STF’s “Human Rights and the Climate Crisis” Virtual Town Hall event on April 22, 2021. (Click to watch)

April 22, 2021: As part of HRW Student Task Force’s (STF) advocacy to transition high schools across Southern California to 100% renewable energy, commit to energy efficiency plans, and engage in climate justice education, the STF hosted over 150 students, teachers, administrators and community members at the “Human Rights and the Climate Crisis” Virtual Town Hall on Earth Day 2021.

“The climate crisis is the defining issue of our generation and we are at a monumental moment,” said one STF representative. “We are protecting our human rights to life, liberty and personal security, to survival and development, and our right to health, to clean water – and a future! We are demanding public officials take action to protect our human rights and fight climate change.”

Students representing 18 high schools shared their personal climate stories, illustrating how climate change is impacting their lives. Several had experienced fire-threat evacuations and pollution induced asthma, which further motivates them to take action. STF leaders also described using HRW’s methodology “Investigate, Expose, Change” to frame their advocacy as they engage school administrators and public officials.

Featured speaker, Christos Chrysiliou, LAUSD’s Director of Architectural and Engineering Services for the Facilities Division, discussed LAUSD’s steps to increase its energy and water efficiency, improve sustainability, and engage students in the decision-making process. “We cannot achieve all the things that we’re doing without your [students’] help… We need you in the process,” Mr. Chrysiliou said, “because that’s the only way to fight climate change.” Afterwards, attendees participated in a spirited Q&A session with Mr. Chrysiliou. (Listen at 47:43 on the recording above.)

Closing STF student speaker, Nathalia Wyss, quoted Greta Thunberg: “Act like your house is on fire, because it is – continue to take action against climate change and inform others, and please, keep fighting to turn our schools green.”

Dr. Henry Oster shows his Auschwitz Concentration Camp tattoo to students. Primary photos by Patricia Williams

Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month is held each April to commemorate the victims and survivors of genocide. Scroll to review how STF has paid tribute to those who suffered unimaginable tragedy and get information about an upcoming event to learn about a contemporary genocide in the making.

Dr. Henry Oster

Dr. Henry Oster answers questions at the 2015 STF Year-End Leadership Workshop about his life during the Holocaust.

Dr. Henry Oster, born 1928 in Germany, survived deprivation in the Lodz Ghetto, life-or-death selection in extermination camps and a death march before liberation from Buchenwald on April 11, 1945.

“A ‘seed,’ is all it takes to see something blossom into widespread killing. The task that you have is to avoid apathy through awareness…” Henry told STFers, encouraging them to continue fighting for human rights. “The idea of living with intent to teach like you do, to teach (human rights), is a life task and thank you for doing it!”

Henry met with STFers at workshops in 2015 and 2016, and at the 2016 HRW Voices for Justice Dinner. Sadly he passed away in 2019. Learn more from his book: The Kindness of the Hangman.

“Sweet Dreams”

Rwanda expert Amy Marczewski Carnes talks about her experiences in Rwanda at Santa Monica High School on April 23, 2015. Photo by Kristin Ghazarians.

April 2015: STF chapters screened “Sweet Dreams“, which explores the aftermath of the Rwandan 1994 genocide through the lens of women’s empowerment.

Amy Marczewski Carnes, Rwanda expert and STF alumna, shared her travels to Rwanda, meeting the women portrayed in the film “Sweet Dreams”. One Santa Monica HS student said, “By holding events like this, and having open forums for discussion, we can help prevent atrocities.”

STF alumna Jasmina Repak, a refugee from Bosnia-Herzegovina, was on a school trip to Italy when the Bosnian Civil War broke out. At a screening of “Sweet Dreams”, Jasmina spoke to Carson HS students about what it took to reunite with her family, the fear she faced each time her father was arrested during the war, and how learning about the genocide in Srebrenica affected her family.

“Jealous of the Birds”

Susi Bahat explains what it was like for her family to return to Germany after the Holocaust.

February 1, 2018: HRW and STF supporter Susi Bahat spoke about her family’s experience in the Holocaust at STF’s 2018 Winter Workshop. Susi was the daughter of Holocaust survivors who remained in Germany after World War II. Susi explained that the experience living among perpetrators of that genocide inspired her to fight against human rights abuses. Her family’s story is the focus of the film “Jealous of the Birds.”

Rita Lurie and Leslie Gilbert-Lurie

Rita Lurie and Leslie Gilbert-Lurie speak about their memoir, Bending Toward the Sun, with students and teachers at the 2019 STF Year-End Leadership Workshop.

Rita Lurie, a Holocaust survivor, and her daughter Leslie Gilbert-Lurie met with STFers at the 2019 Year-End Workshop and again during STF’s first-ever virtual event in 2020. Rita described how her family spent two years hiding in a tiny attic in Poland during the Holocaust and she read a passage from her memoir she wrote with Leslie, Bending Toward the Sun. The mother-daughter duo helped STFers better understand the horrors of genocide and how deeply the Holocaust lives in the hearts and minds of survivors and their descendants. They generously gave every student a copy of their memoir.

Bill Harvey

Holocaust survivor Bill Harvey speaks with STFers at the 2020 Winter Workshop.

February 11, 2020: Holocaust survivor Bill Harvey shared his story of surviving the horrors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald Concentration Camps at STF’s 2020 Winter Leadership Workshop. Bill defines success in life by the impact and the good that you share with people. He urged students to speak up against discrimination in every form, “Never stay silent!”

In a note to STF Director Pam Bruns, Bill wrote, “I was very gratified to spend the evening with such wonderful teenagers. They were all extremely bright students and their involvement (in human rights) will surely make this world a better place to live in. And if I left even the smallest impact on their lives, then my day was made.”

Imran Mohammad

Imran Mohammad, a Rohingya writer and activist, speaks at the 2019 HRW Voices for Justice Dinner. Photo by Maya Myers

At the last HRW Voices for Justice Dinner, Imran Mohammad inspired STFers to stand up for those without a voice and to take action against human rights violations around the world. Imran, a Rohingya refugee, fled for his life at age 16. Despite achieving refugee status by UNHCR, Imran was held in immigration detention in multiple countries, including the notorious Manus Island Detention Center on Papua New Guinea, where he sustained physical and psychological torture.

Imran will meet with STF members again and speak about genocide and climate change on May 5, 2021 at 7pm. RSVP today to participate in this virtual event!

Join STF’s HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE CLIMATE CRISIS Town Hall on Thursday, April 22 at 7pm on Zoom. Celebrate Earth Day by learning how STF is fighting climate change as we advocate transitioning our schools to 100% renewable energy.

This event is open to the public so please invite your friends and family!

RSVP today to receive the link to participate.

Important Information:
Who: You, STF students, teachers, alumni, community members
When: Thursday, April 22, 7:00-8:00pmPT
Where: Virtually on Zoom. RSVP to STFClimateTownHall@gmail.com

STF advocacy is in full swing on the Green Schools Campaign. Check out recent STF activity for how to build allies and transition your school to 100% renewable energy!

STF Action Handbook

Simon Aron presents the Action Handbook for STF to the Palisades Charter HS STF chapter on February 10, 2021. (Click to watch, 28:16)

February 10-18, 2021: Simon Aron, Green Schools Campaign co-founder and 15-year-old climate activist, participated in STF chapter meetings at Palisades Charter High School (February 10) and Culver City High School (February 16) to help the students determine first steps in their advocacy to transition their campuses to 100% renewable energy. Using the Action Handbook for STF, Simon also trained representatives from 11 other STF chapters (February 18) to launch the campaign.

Download the Action Handbook for STF to launch the Green Schools Campaign on your campus today!

Google Earth and Environmental Sustainability

Watch Pali STF’s special event with Mr. Steve Engelmann (Click to watch, 48:24)

February 19, 2021: The Pali STF chapter hosted AP Environmental Science teacher, Mr. Steve Engelmann, as he shared steps he has taken to encourage Palisades Charter High School to transition to 100% renewable energy. He discussed various student sustainability projects, the obstacles they faced, and provided campaign recommendations. Mr. Engelmann used Google Earth screenshots to demonstrate solar power on other campuses.

Dr. Pam Magee, Pali’s Principal, expressed her support for the students’ passion and initiative towards the campaign to the more than 80 students, teachers and Pacific Palisades community members present. Since this event, Dr. Magee has met with STF members to discuss the facilities survey, and has a third meeting scheduled for Friday, March 19.

“Keep Applying Pressure…”

Watch SAMO STF’s special event with Ansel Garcia-Langley (Click to watch, 19:16)

March 2, 2021: Ansel Garcia-Langley, SAMO alumnus and former Team Marine president, met with the SAMO STF chapter to share his experience working with school administrators and district staff on sustainability issues.

“When it comes to projects like these, it’s really important to keep applying pressure. We need to use student voices and that kind of activism to our advantage [to produce the change we want to see],” said Ansel.

Ansel provided students with information about initiatives and projects started while he was involved with Team Marine, including hiring a district sustainability coordinator, a position Team Marine advocated for while he was president. Ansel emphasized that STF should revisit these discussions to maintain accountability at both the school and district levels.

Take Action!

Sign each chapter’s petition to support STF’s advocacy to commit their schools to 100% renewable energy!

Thank you to all for sharing your climate stories! We are eager to know how you use them to build your ally networks and as part of your advocacy to transition your campus communities to 100% renewable energy. Check out STF’s Green Schools Campaign materials for more resources.

Here are four more stories to help you think about how climate change is impacting your community:

“Since I have not always lived near my LAUSD schools, there were years when I would have a two to three hour car commute home. I was uninterested in these time-consuming rides, having nothing to play with and constantly getting car sick. Looking out the window held my interest, there were endless things to see. It was not until I reached middle school that I realized I had been occupied by the trash on the ground, the foggy and unclear air, the wild amount of cars on the road, and the unnecessary signs and lights I saw daily. There are millions of people surrounded by an unhealthy environment without even being aware of it. It has been normalized and hidden in plain sight.”

– Victoria Valdez, 9th grade, Hamilton High School

“People have debated climate change my whole life. Deniers ignore the fact that temperatures are hitting record-levels and that entire species are dying faster than new ones evolve. One climate change topic important to me is environmental racism. I have learned about fast fashion: how large, Western corporations exploit third-world countries, their manufacturing wreaking havoc on the local communities, degrading their environments because it’s cheaper to build factories there than in the West. STF intern Josiah Edwards’ video highlighting environmental racism in my own community opened my eyes to how climate change is affecting my friends, family and neighbors. Raising awareness and education in my school community, in the town that I’ve grown up in, is the first step in taking action for our future on this planet.”

– Noelle Guzman, 12th grade, Carson High School