The Sunrise Movement is focused on forcing the government to end the era dominated by fossil fuel elites, invest in Black, brown, and working-class communities, and create millions of good union jobs. They are on a mission to empower everyday people and build a world that benefits everyone, both now and for future generations. I’m happy to be joined by Joshua McNair, who’s representing the Dallas chapter of Sunrise Movement.
Interviewer (Grayson Mask): Could you tell me about your journey with the Sunrise Movement? Were you involved in activism before, or was this a new path for you?
Interviewee (Joshua McNair): I’ve been with Sunrise for about a year, joining in August 2023. Before that, I wasn’t very engaged in activism; I thought voting every four years was enough. But I soon realized I wanted to make a more direct impact. I started searching for the right group, initially considering a pro-immigration rights organization. Then, someone recommended Sunrise, highlighting how environmental issues connect to many causes. After attending a coffee and donuts meet-up, I knew this was the right fit. I jumped into the campaign team, and now I’m one of the hub coordinators and the National Delegate for Sunrise Dallas.
Grayson Mask: What does your role as National Delegate involve? Do you find yourself balancing between national and local initiatives?
Joshua McNair: As one of the contacts between our chapter and the national organization, I participate in monthly meetings with about 108 other national delegates. We discuss policies, vote on key issues, and relay decisions back to our local hubs. Instead of balancing, I see it as a series of interconnected steps. The ultimate goal, like the Green New Deal, is the biggest domino, but we first need to tackle smaller, local issues. Everything we do locally feeds into the national objectives.
Grayson Mask: Your organization has been working on eliminating parking minimums in Dallas. Could you explain what they are and why it’s an important issue?
Joshua McNair: Parking minimums are policies that require new buildings to include a specific number of parking spots. While it seems reasonable, it raises construction costs, increasing rent and property taxes. From an environmental standpoint, parking lots contribute to carbon emissions and create heat islands in urban areas. In Dallas, 25% of our urban space is dedicated to parking. By eliminating these minimums, we give developers more flexibility, potentially reducing unnecessary environmental and economic burdens. In cities like Austin, dropping parking minimums led to rent reductions, making housing more affordable.
Grayson Mask: I saw you’re running a petition related to parking minimums. How do you set a signature goal, and what happens when you reach it?
Joshua McNair: We research how many people are impacted by the issue to set our signature goal, making rough estimates based on the area we’re canvassing if an exact number isn’t available. We also target neighborhoods that have historically suffered from policies like parking lots displacing homes. For example, Fair Park in Dallas was built by destroying homes in poorer areas. Once we collect enough signatures, we present the petition to local officials to push for policy changes.
Grayson Mask: Your group has also worked on initiatives like free public transit for K-12 students. Do you have any strategies that work best for activism?
Joshua McNair: Social media is crucial. Clever designs, memes, and ads grab attention, while in-person actions like canvassing and tabling help build community presence. Combining strong social media outreach with face-to-face interactions is key. You need a team skilled in graphic design and social media but also ready to engage directly with people.
Grayson Mask: You mentioned environmental issues intersect with other causes. Can you explain these connections and your stance on broader issues?
Joshua McNair: Many issues overlap, like environmental racism. For instance, in West Dallas, factories known as the “Toxic Twins” have caused higher asthma and cancer rates in the area. Climate change also drives immigration, as people escape environmental disasters in their home countries. However, they often face challenges finding safety here. So, our work addresses these intersections between environmental and social justice issues.
Grayson Mask: Your organization offers training for public comments at city hearings. What does that involve?
Joshua McNair: Our training prepares people to speak at city council or committee hearings, rallies, and public events. We focus on helping individuals tell their stories effectively, make personal connections, and end with a compelling call for change. Personal stories can be especially powerful in these settings.
Grayson Mask: I noticed links to a youth program and a movement house on your Instagram. Could you tell me more about those?
Joshua McNair: Sure! Sunrise Dallas Youth is open to people up to age 18, and they’re currently focused on reducing food waste. When members age out, they can join the main Sunrise hub in downtown Dallas. The Movement House is a multi-story house near Baylor Hospital where we hold meetings and events. It’s also open for other organizations to use as long as it fits the calendar.
Grayson Mask: As we approach the new year, what projects or campaigns are you excited about?
Joshua McNair: We’re awaiting a decision on parking minimums, and if they’re reduced or removed, we’ll shift our focus to other projects like improving public transit or making rent more accessible. I’m also leading recruitment efforts to bring in more members through social events, direct actions, and mutual aid. It’s an exciting time for our chapter!
