Last week, Ahmanson Auditorium at Loyola Marymount University was nearly silent. Two empty chairs sat awkwardly, while soft music played in the background. This was meant to be a lively panel discussion as part of the university’s annual justice symposium.
Behind the chairs, a projector screen explained the absence of speakers for two sessions on air quality and environmental justice. An executive order from President Trump aimed at curbing diversity initiatives led federal employees to withdraw from the event.
The unexpected exit of staff from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice came as the Trump administration pushed back against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. These efforts have included restricting environmental policies and scientific data, part of a broader plan to downsize the federal workforce.
Key offices focused on environmental justice at both the EPA and Justice Department have closed, and some staff have been placed on leave. Additionally, mentions of “climate change” and relevant studies have disappeared from certain government websites.
Matthew Tejada, former head of the EPA’s environmental justice program, spoke about the current climate, stating, “This government is trying to plunge us back into an era of division.” He highlighted how these actions against environmental justice contribute to further marginalization.
“There’s a great deal of fear in the federal workforce now about speaking out on anything.” — Peter Jenkins
This year marks the 13th annual symposium at Loyola Marymount, which is sponsored by various religious organizations. The theme for the conference was “Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor,” inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’.
A notice about the federal workers’ absence pointed to Trump’s executive order against DEI initiatives, labeling them illegal. The notice also mentioned the revocation of a 1994 order that emphasized the importance of environmental justice in federal operations.
Environmental justice means that everyone deserves equal protection regarding environmental policies, no matter their race, income, or background.
Kristin Agostoni, a spokeswoman for Loyola Marymount, didn’t provide specific details about the canceled participation, noting only that university leaders are assessing the impact of federal directives on campus policies. Meanwhile, federal agencies like the EPA are in a transition period, with decisions being put on hold.
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, an organization supporting federal workers in environmental matters, expressed concern over the unusual directive preventing civil servants from participating in academic discussions.
Jenkins remarked that while it’s common for new administrations to pause certain functions, blocking staff from public events is abnormal and stifles important discussions around environmental issues.
The restrictions also extend across various agencies, affecting how federal employees can engage with the public and with each other. The EPA has made significant changes, including freezing initiatives tied to climate action and shutting down its Office of Environmental Justice.
Despite the low turnout, the Loyola Marymount symposium proceeded with a smaller audience. Jesuit Fr. Barwendé Médard Sané of Georgetown University delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the link between environmental issues and social equality.
Recent wildfires in Southern California brought attention to air quality, an ongoing concern for researchers at Loyola Marymount. The symposium’s discussions included topics about pollution’s impact on marginalized neighborhoods.
While some panels were canceled due to weather conditions, the university’s commitment to discussing ecological justice remains strong. In the face of challenges, Loyola Marymount is adapting its plans under the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, which calls for sustainable practices within Catholic institutions.
As Cecilia González-Andrieu, a theologian at the university, reflected on the empty auditorium, she noted the deeper truths that often emerge from silence. “Sometimes those who have been silenced speak truths that are much louder than words,” she said.
