Nearly 300 leaders and guests of Central Valley IAF gathered at Westside Church of God for an impressive Community Assembly rooted in democracy, solidarity, and action.
Together, they:
- Explored what it means to build a powerful People’s Organization—for the people, by the people—capable of negotiating for the needs of regular families and the common good.
- Heard compelling stories from local residents directly impacted by immigration policy, rural transportation barriers, and housing injustice
- Pressed local officials on local housing issues related to suburban sprawl and industrial zoning, and gained their commitments to work with us to stop both
- Gained commitments from law enforcement to continue working together to build trust and safety in immigrant communities
- Welcomed top faith leaders from across the region who affirmed their support for this growing multi-faith, multiracial effort
The evening was a profound demonstration of diverse institutions coming together for a shared purpose. Central Valley IAF member institutions also reaffirmed their dues commitments to sustain and expand this work.
Said Bishop Joseph Brennan of the Catholic Diocese of Fresno:
"I'm thrilled to support this work; it's what I think my new boss [Pope Leo] would want me to do, and what I think his Boss would want me to do."
In a bold step forward, assembly co-chairs announced plans to formally launch the organization under a new name in May 2026—a public milestone marking the next chapter of building power for their communities.
[In Photo: Jazzmine White of Fresno State Humanics speaks on housing insecurity. Photo Credit: Issac's Eye Photography]