MORE THAN 200 COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES, SURVIVORS, LABOR ORGANIZATIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES TO GATHER AT BINATIONAL PEACE SUMMIT IN EL PASO–CIUDAD JUÁREZ
Leaders representing more than 100 organizations from Mexico and the United States will come together from September 18–20 to demand cooperation for peace, democracy and human rights—not war
EL PASO, TEXAS / CIUDAD JUÁREZ, CHIHUAHUA — September 2026 — More than 200 participants representing more than 100 organizations and communities from over 30 states across Mexico, the United States and Canada will gather September 18–20 for the Peace Summit 2026: The People Against Authoritarianism, a historic binational gathering bringing together Afro-descendant and Indigenous leaders, migrant communities, survivors and families affected by gun violence and disappearance, labor organizations, human rights advocates, community organizers and elected representatives from both countries.
The Summit is organized by the People’s Movement for Peace and Justice, formed by 70 organizations from Mexico and the US, including Global Exchange, Black Lives Matter South Bend, the North American Indigenous Center and Stop US Arms to Mexico, among others.
Held in the border city of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, the Summit will confront the growing violence, democratic crisis and human rights challenges affecting communities on both sides of the border.
The gathering comes at a critical moment in U.S.–Mexico relations, as political tensions and calls for greater militarization have intensified. The organizations convening the Summit are advancing a different vision: Mexico and the United States must cooperate for peace, not for war.
“The violence confronting our communities does not stop at the border. Our response cannot stop there either.”
The Summit will provide a space for communities most directly affected by violence to present their experiences, document human rights violations,
identify shared challenges and develop proposals for a Binational Agenda for Peace and Justice.
A PEOPLE’S JURY WILL HEAR TESTIMONIES ON DAY ONE
A central feature of the Summit will be a People’s Jury of the People’s Tribunal of Conscience, which will hear testimonies and reports presented by communities and organizations during the first day.
The jury brings together recognized voices and experts from human rights, international law, academia, labor, Indigenous and social movements, including:
- Steven Donziger Human rights and environmental justice advocate and lawyer
- Chris Smalls Labor organizer and former president of the Amazon Labor Union
- Nancy Okail Executive Director of the Center for International Policy and human rights advocate and civil society leader.
- Judith LeBlanc Indigenous rights leader and environmental justice advocate.
- Francisco Rosas Autonomous Government Council of Cherán Michoacán
- Laura Carlsen Journalist, analyst, and Mexico–U.S. relations expert
- Teodomira Roales Mexican Afro-Indigenous human rights defender
- Emmanuel Cannady Academic, founder of Black Lives Matter South Bend
- Neil Harvey Scholar and human rights advocate
- And additional regional leaders and experts
The People’s Jury will listen to testimony, examine evidence, and contextualize reported violations within international human rights standards and the rights of peoples. It will then deliberate and issue a preliminary statement and recommendations.
While the Tribunal’s findings are not legally binding, the process is intended to strengthen the visibility and legitimacy of community struggles and contribute to demands for truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-repetition.
FROM LOCAL TESTIMONY TO A CONTINENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS AGENDA
The Peace Summit is part of a broader process that begins with local preparatory forums and community hearings in Mexico and the United States.
Findings and testimonies gathered through those forums will be presented at the Peace Summit and incorporated into a preliminary report on the human rights situation in the Mexico–U.S. region.
That report will subsequently be presented at the Continental Session of the International Tribunal of Conscience in Mexico City in October 2026, where testimony and analysis from across the Americas will contribute to a broader continental report.
The resulting report is expected to be presented publicly on December 10, 2026—International Human Rights Day.
LEGISLATORS FROM BOTH COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE
Legislators and public officials from Mexico and the United States will also participate in the Summit, creating an opportunity for direct dialogue between elected representatives and the communities and organizations confronting violence and human rights violations.
The Summit will focus on practical proposals for:
- Reducing violence and preventing gun violence;
- Addressing arms trafficking across borders;
- Protecting Indigenous, Afro-descendant and migrant communities;
- Addressing disappearances and impunity;
- Defending democratic institutions and civic space;
- Strengthening binational cooperation based on human rights;
- Building a shared regional agenda for peace and justice.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Media representatives are invited to attend the Summit and will have opportunities to interview participants, community leaders, members of the People’s Jury, legislators and organizers.
A public statement will be issued at the conclusion of the Summit, presenting key findings, recommendations and the next steps in the binational and continental process.
Additional information regarding the program, speakers, accreditation and interview opportunities will be available through the organizers.
PEACE SUMMIT 2026
The People Against Authoritarianism
September 18–20, 2026
El Paso, Texas & Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua
For media inquiries in the United States:
Corina Nolet
Global Exchange
Corina@globalexchange
For media inquiries in Mexico:
Lizeth Mejorada
lizeth.mejorada@gmail.com
More information:
www.pmpj.org
Mexico and the United States must cooperate for peace, not for war.