The Amanecer People’s Project claims to be a progressive grassroots organization “fighting for clean air, clean water and community power over the choices that affect our lives,” and committed to defeating the “polluting elite.”
But it is so much more than that.
Amanecer was the primary backer of Leah Hanany and Jack Loveridge for the EPISD Board of Trustees in the run-up to the election of May 3, 2025. Hanany and Loveridge are now President and Vice-President of the Board, respectively, and have made one catastrophic decision after another. They led the effort to keep Lamar Elementary open for only 206 students at a per-student cost exceeding tuition at Harvard University. They fired Superintendent Diana Sayavedra, who was highly capable, and voted to replace her with CFO Martha Aguirre, who resigned in a ball of flames when it was revealed there was a budget gap of $52.8 million in the 3rd quarter of FY 2026, resulting in financial exigency for the district.
Up until September 2023, the organization was called Sunrise El Paso, which promoted and backed Proposition K, one of the most unpopular measures ever to appear on an El Paso ballot. Had it passed, it would have denied water to the “fossil fuel industry” beyond the City limits, including two of our four local power plants. In addition, it would have penalized businesses that transport petroleum products and any business that finances or “assists” the fossil fuel industry. The organization received about $11,000 from 389 donors, none of whom resided in El Paso. 82% of El Pasoans voted against Proposition K because they understood it would have been a fiscal calamity.
If one scrolls back on Amanecer’s Instagram page several years, one will find various posts attacking Zionists and Israel, including one calling for Israel’s total destruction, as well as memes supporting other leftist causes.
So as you can see, there is a lot more to the Amanecer’s People Project than “climate justice.” The Meta Data Center is the cause du jour but their activism is aimed at a broad range of issues, both local and international.
WHY WOULD KOZIK, MORENO, AND CANALES ACCEPT THE ENDORSEMENT OF AMANECER?
We texted all three candidates a “NO TO ZIONISM” meme from Amanecer and asked them to comment on the endorsement.
Matthew Kozik, candidate for District 1, stated he has “no knowledge or information” about the Instagram post we texted him. He added, “It would be the equivalent of me asking you why you would endorse a candidate that has accepted an endorsement from an organization that has also endorsed a man who has dressed up in nazi garb and has at times denied the holocaust.”
Kozik’s opponent Sam Armijo is familiar with the group and told us “Amanecer’s hate-based ideology is totally foreign to the values and culture of our Hispanic community. I am surprised that candidates for non-partisan city office would not know what this group promotes and would seek or accept their endorsement.”
Jesus Moreno, candidate for District 6, indicated he would email us a comment but never did. His opponent Art Fierro declined to comment on the endorsement.
Chris Canales, candidate for reelection to District 8, declined to respond to our inquiry. We thought he might, given that he signed his name and official title to a one-sided petition calling for a ceasefire only a few months after the October 7 massacre in Israel. We asked his opponent Arturo Alluin for comment but did not hear back.
It seems clear the three candidates aligned themselves with Amanecer in order to emphasize their opposition to the Meta Data Center, especially Canales (who voted for it), and in so doing were happy to accept the support of a radical leftist organization that takes aim at capitalism, “elite polluters,” and Zionists.
We know there will be many who will read this report and shrug their shoulders, or express solidarity with Amanecer. Others will feel revulsion and disgust that three candidates for City Council would associate themselves with its agenda.
Our role is to present the facts. The voters will make up their own minds.