From Front Lines to Human Rights [Studies]: My Move to the Big City

New York I am here! I have been in limbo all summer long trying to decide if I should stay (in AZ) or if I should go (NY).  To this day I still cannot believe that I made up my mind (finally) and chose to go to Columbia. It’s bitter sweet when I think about my move here. Although I am anxious and excited to be here, my heart feels heavy knowing that the fight continues back home.

I have been here for two weeks, and in those two weeks my transition to New York has definitely had its ups and its downs. I’ll admit I have had my share of meltdowns due to the financial stress that Columbia brings (trying to get financial aid to start) and having to find a place of my own. I have been faced with self-doubt several times thinking that the path that I have chosen was too great of a risk. During my melt-downs I have found myself calling my best friends and telling them that I was done with school and was going to book the next flight home. I wasn’t finding a place; the places that I thought I would get would be rented out before I was even able to bring in a deposit check (that’s NY housing for you).  To this day I still haven’t found a place/ room that I can call my own.

I have been couch surfing for the last couple of days, and am currently living with Nuvia my friend of four years that I met through MEChA de ASU who is also starting her MA program at NYU. Although Nuvia and I are in different programs and in different schools we are there for each other and talk to each other about our stresses and anxieties dealing with the move to New York. I thank my hermana Nuvia and her sister Margie for letting me not only crash with them, but welcoming me as familia. Nuvia and I have gotten closer here; we recognize that all we have in this strange city is each other.  We stay up and study together, and we have been getting to know Harlem more and more. I hope to quickly find a place to call my own, the semester has started and I feel that I must plant my roots somewhere.

So far school has been the only thing that is normal and fun for me. I am in love with my courses, and find myself smiling with excitement when looking at the syllabus. When I think about everything I will learn and the tools I will come out of Columbia with, I know I made the right choice. My program has the best instructors when it comes to Human Rights. Several of them have made GIANT changes for minority and displaced people in different countries across the globe. I am currently taking an International Human Rights Law, Race & the Law, Migration & Education, and Post 9/11 Immigration Policy classes.

I have made great bonds with some of the mujeres in my program. Anna and Christine are two amazing women who I have really bonded with since our orientation. Last week when I told these girls that I was feeling homesick and felt like I had to go home, it was Christine and Anna who told me not to go. I have told them many of my peers  about  Arizona and the human rights crisis back home. In convincing me that I had to they would now tell me that I must stay because the issue back home needs to be talked about in the academy. I am extremely thankful that I was guided to them and the other group of women that I surround myself with at Columbia.

When I am most down I call my mami. She is the strongest woman I know, and every day I aspire to be like her and have the courage and strength that she does. I make sure to call her when I am most calm, because I do not want her to know that I am having trouble out here, I do not want her to worry about me. I always have thought of my mom as being a magician because there is something in that soft but strong voice that just makes my problems melt away. She constantly makes me laugh with her Mexican mothering ways, those of you who have Mexican mothers know what I am talking about. She will call me and say “mija debes de viver en Harlem junto la escuela, tu nunca has vivido done neve y tienes que estar cerca” or “hija no andes caminando tan noche en las calles” and finally “hija estas comiendo bien?”

Although you might be thinking she is over protective, you might want to think again. My mom is my first professora, and she has taught me the most about feminism and about being a strong, smart, dignified self respecting woman. She has taught me the value of hard work and sacrifice and what it takes to get what you want and to move a family and community ahead. I think about my childhood a lot here and remember her working 20 hours a day (yes 20), just to get her four kids though school because she wanted us to get a better life and have more opportunities than she ever did in Zacatecas Mexico. I imagine the 16year old girl  [Elena] who decided to cross the “border” and come to a country that was alien to her in language and in culture just to send money back home to the family that was struggling to survive. I think about all of the human rights violations that I have seen her go through when she was over worked, or when she was not paid what she was supposed to be paid (because she spoke Spanish, was a migrant, and a woman). My mom and my family are the reasons I study human rights, they are the reason I organize, so that NEVER another family is robbed of their pay because they speak a different language. So that NEVER will a mother who has left her abuser be threatened with losing her children because in being a single migrant woman she might not be able to raise her children in the eyes and “standards” of CPS.

I remind myself every single morning when I wake up that it is my duty, and the duty of all of us Xican@s to carry out the sacrifice that our parents did for us. We must recognize that our parents came with a dream in mind. They have risked and continue to risk their health and lives to give us a brighter day. They face criminalization, racism, sexism and classism so that we can have a roof over our heads and a warm meal that they know we wouldn’t always have in Mexico. We must continue to get ourselves ahead so that we bring all of our family and gente ahead.

When my friend Nelda asked my mom what she thought I should do my mom responded “yo no le digo nada, yo quero que viva y haga lo que quera. No quero que haga algo que no queria y lluego viva su vida pensando que pudia ser mas con su vida.” Those few words stick to my soul, and will forever remind me that I have to challenge myself and move forward.

I am honest in writing about my obstacles about my experience so far; I do this not to gain any pity or sorrow from anyone (if you know me personally, you know that is the last thing I want). I write with vulnerability, the same vulnerability that makes me human. I am not going to lie to you all and tell you that it has been easy and that this opportunity has been given to me. Nothing in life has ever been given to me. I have had to fight twice as hard being a woman and daughter of a migrant just to keep my head above water. I write with the most realness and sincerity that I possibly can put in words so that you all know how much I want this education, not just for me but for my community in Arizona. I know that I will look back at this blog two years from now and see that these struggles have made me stronger with time. I also write with complete honesty because I know that somewhere out there, another young Chican@ is going through the same thing/ or about to start a program in a university where they feel as alone as I do. There are many of us who feel alone but shouldn’t, I would like to think these feeling are perfectly normal.

It is easy to feel like giving up when you feel alone in a big city and you know you have a loving family waiting back home and a community who has my back. Arizona will be there, my community will be there, and the struggle (unfortunately) will be there for when I come home. I know I can’t go back, not yet, not without infiltrating the IVY towers and bringing back the pedagogy back home to the people.

I have felt the warmness and support from everyone, and I thank you all for that. Mujeres have been the backbone and  the love and support that I have desperately needed this past summer and continue to need. I have great Xicana mentors such as Michelle, Rosalee, Marivel, who have been in my shoes  before. These mujeres  know what it is like to be the first in their families to go to college, and go away for their masters. It is these mujeres whose love and brilliance motivate me to be another member of the Xicana Chingona club (it’s not a real club but I’d like to imagine it is). Furthermore respeto is needed to be given to the pioneers of the Xicana Chingona club, las meras meras who paved the road for us to even be here mujeres like Gloria Anzaluda, Xerri Moraga (thank you for your contribution and support), Celia Rodriguez y las otras who have dedicated their lives to challenging the institution and the machismo in movementos.

I would like to thank the mujeres in the struggle who continue to believe in me and are even pushing me to get a law degree after my masters (one degree at a time mujeres). These mujeres have pushed me to see what I can be and see more in me than I see in myself at this time in my life. From La Puenta to Alexis, Justine, Diana, Leighanna, Juliana, Leah, Caro, Vania, Victoria and others [you all know who you are] I love you all and thank you for everything.

I know this blog is long, heck it could be longer. I recognize that these opportunities are not given to everyone and I must reflect on whom I am and my history to keep grounded and know where I need to go. I dedicate this blog to the mujeres in my life, the community, Puente, and more than anything my herman@s y mi mami.

 

Que Viva La Mujer! Y Que Viva la Xicana Nation!

Special Thanks to Those Who Have Contributed to by Education: 

You all are the reason I have books this semester <3

Rita Urgujo- Ruiz

Christopher Long

Nicole Maron

Michael Graham

Marivel Danielson

Rosalee Gonzalez

Cherrie Moraga

Beau Bibeau

Jessie Ramirez

Leah Carne

Carlos & Alexis Garcia –Aguirre

Margot Seigle

Melanie & Jesus Cervantes- Barraza

Out of the Shadows & Into the Streets, to Stop Arpaio!!

Photo by Sandra Castro Solis

There are so many indescribable words that can portray yesterdays [March 20^th 2012] act of bravery and resistance by six undocumented students.  These six students stepped up to the plate, without anyone telling them to. Why? Because they believed it was time to take matters into their own hands. Tired of not seeing any progress, and wanting to empower their communities, they did what many of us would not expect six undocumented (not to mention two minor aged) students to do. They mobilized and faced the Phoenix Police Department challenging to have Arpaio to come and get them. The six students asked for Arpaio to detain them; why? Because this is act that he does every single day in Maricopa County and that is arrest innocent people because they are “Illegal.”

The students had a four and a half hour stand off in the corner of 75^th Ave and Cheery Lynn waiting and calling for Arpaio to come and arrest them.

Shouting at the top of their lungs to the community and the entire world that they are

UNDOCUMENTED and UNAFFRAID!

Unafraid of a constant reality of deportation that they face each and every day since the day they cross this artificial border that many of us recognize as the United States.

Photo by Diane Ovalle

The students strategically chose the location of Trevor Browne High School because this school is located in West Phoenix a highly concentrated Latino community that Joe Arpaio has targeted for years with his raids. [A raid, otherwise known as a “crime suppression sweep” began in 2007 when Arpaio gained access to 287(g) which enabled him to box off a community always a community that is heavily concentrated Chicano and migrant. Then MCSO and Sheriffs Posse members proceed to pull over anyone who looks suspicious of being in the community “illegally.”] This community belongs to several of the students arrested who wanted to show their peers, family, and community that each and everyone of them is bigger and stronger than Arpaio. The students stressed that only through organizing and without fear can a subjugated community grow strong and take down a monster who has done nothing but only harass and traumatize communities and spread hate across the state of Arizona.

Six students came out of the darkness and into the streets letting the community know that they are here, and they are here to stay. Within 4pm there was a banner with Subcomandante Marcos’ face and over 50 supporters circling the students who had taken over the streets.  Pedestrians and commuters in their cars waited and observed this act of civil disobedience.

While blocking off the streets, the 6 students gave their testimonies of what their every day reality looks like as an undocumented youth living in a police state. All of the students could recall their voyage to the United States as small children walking through the Sonoran Desert. This act of resistance only inspired several other students and even parents of the six students who took that opportunity to also come out of the shadows and let the community recognize that they too are undocumented and unafraid. Witnessing the parents of these students’ support and stand by their children was inspirational and emotional. These students were doing it for their familias, to defend and protect their families. Many of the students stressed that their biggest fear is coming home to an empty house, or receiving a call that their parents did not come home after going to the grocery store because they were picked up and deported. This should not be a fear that any teenager or anyone should have.

Within 5pm there were several helicopters and over 75 police officers in riot gear waiting and assessing the situation at hand. Why were police officers over armed and over dressed in riot gear. To stop a bomb? To handle a riot? No to arrest six students who were sitting down and chanting “Undocumented and Unafraid.” As the police officers got closer the chants became louder.

“No paper no fear immigrants are marching here!”

“No justice no peace no racist police!”

The police officers were now less than ten feet away from the students. The students parents and family members approached the 6 brave students and kissed them and said good-bye, for they did not know how long it would be until they would see their children again.

Photo by Sandra Castro Solis

The police proceeded and arrested the students one by one. One by one they were taken into the paddy wagon. The spectators were in mixed emotions; there were some who were in tears, and others who were inspired. As for me I was very upset that the state of Arizona is so unjust and cruel that it takes people to act in civil disobedience to get attention from Joe Arpaio and deliver a message that we are here and want our rights. I was also PROUD of each and every student who stood up for themselves and their family and their dignity! Everyday there are protests, everyday there are people organizing against this racism, and every single day and every single hour there are people being deported and separated from their families. These students did what they felt in their hearts that they should have done, and they did it with no fear and their head held high. To me these 6 students are brave and inspiring people. These are the students that are willing to put everything including their lives and futures on the line to do what is right in the state of Arizona.

Several of the people who are speaking out against this action are stating that some of the students are too young, or that this was the wrong way to approach the situation. I would call to question all of you and ask if you are aware that there are plenty of MINORS who are picked up and deported every single day.  There are children and students who are filling up foster homes (at the maximum rate in US history) because they have been torn away from their families. In the United States we have 1,000 deportations that have taken place under the Obama administration. YES WE CAN deport everyone is the current democratic and Republican agenda. The Obama administration has released statements that they will reach their quota of deporting at least 400,000 people a year.  Every hour families are being torn apart, at this moment while you are reading this someone has been racial profiled because of 287(g) and this person will not be home to see their family…again. Students are in a constant state of danger.  Mothers and children are in danger. EVERYONE IS IN DANGER! If Arpaio is not being stopped under Obama who can PASS THE DREAM ACT!  Obama who can stop all the POLIMIGRA agreements and the criminalization of our communities, then what else can people do but fight back?

All of the students were released from Arpaio’s jail within 24 hours. The two minors were released the same night at 2am.  This reaffirmed the students message that if we organize as a community, no one can fall victim to Arpaio. ICE refused to take in the 4 students, which turned Joe Arpaio (who on the day of the action stated that he was not going to arrest students, he wanted criminal “aliens”) into an infuriated man. He sent out a press release stating that ICE did not do its job by taking 4 “illegals” and deporting them. This is a victory! This is a message for the community, one that we need to look at and learn from. We are safer, stronger, and powerful when we are standing together.

El Pueblo Unido Hamas Sera Vencido!

Below are links to see more videos and view more pictures of the action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbBxHC-u6Yk&feature=youtu.be (video by Chandra Narcia)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150617813885794.388022.618135793&type=3 (photos by Diane Ovalle)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMK6meh5KYU&feature=related (Virdiana’s testimony by Dream Activist.org)

An [UNPLEASANT] Encounter with Arpaio

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men people to do nothing.”

This past Thursday a Gregorio and I were on our way to the Arizona State University [main] campus to help our friends plan an upcoming event.  Before even stepping foot on campus I received an alarming call from a friend Tony who was standing outside a lecture classroom [Discovery Hall 150] and was looking at Joe Arpaio inside the classroom lecturing to a group of students. What we later found out was that Arpaio was invited yet again to speak at the Young Republicans of Arizona State University organization. I could not believe what Tony was telling me, for some reason I thought that it was a prank and that he just wanted to trick me or get me rawled up. I was extremely upset to hear this news because as an undergraduate I would organize along with fellow students against the arrival of this terrorist [yes I am calling him a terrorist, he perpetuates state wide terror with the murders in his jails, unsolved sex crimes, his threats to county officials, and he gets off at separating families]. It upsets me and scares me to know that this man is being put on a pedestal and honored as a great public figure.

Tony, Greg, and I waited outside of the classroom waiting for Arpaio to exit the lecture hall. We waited as several students approached him shook his hand, and even took pictures with their “hero.” While we waited, texts and phone calls were sent to other students we knew who would be on campus. I couldn’t believe that for the first time Arpaio would come into campus and not be protested or confronted. I walked to the classroom next door where there was a meeting with current Chican@ and Latino umbrella organization. There I asked them if they knew that Arpaio was next door, they said yes they knew. I asked “So what are y’all going to do?” I was not given an answer, folks just explained that they were talking about what they should do. I let them know that I would be outside and that the three of us out there were not going to allow this man to come in and out of this campus without opposition.

Boy oh boy was I upset! Tony saw me with my hands in my jacket pockets and pacing back and fourth. By then Arpaio’s AFRICAN AMERICAN security guards had seen us and walked outside to make sure we would not “attack Arpaio.” Again I do not understand how three Chican@s would threaten the man who murders people and gets away with it. If anything I had advised Tony that he should have his cell phone camera on and record this encounter with Arpaio just in case they wanted to do harm to us, that  or falsely arrest us. The adviser of the Republican group also exited the classroom and was standing right in front of me. As if a middle aged man with a terrible haircut and  pink polo shirt was going to stop me.

Finally it was the moment we had been waiting for, Arpaio was walking out the door. Followed by his ASU fan club we confronted him. I stopped Arpaio and told him that I had a question [more like a statement, I had things to say and he was going to listen]. I told him that it was an insult and disrespectful that he continue to come to ASU and spread his right-wing hate. Then I heard his micky mouse fan club softly say some so called rebuttals. As if that would distract me from my target. Of course Arpaio responds the way he always responds, he asked me if I was with Occupy Phoenix. [Arpaio has  this idea that by asking people if they belong to a different organization than the one you are in he will confuse and sidetrack you]. I told him no, that I was not with Occupy [I said that to remain focused on asking my questions to Arpaio, I stand in solidarity with the Occupy Movement]. We had an exchange of words, the crowd grew larger, the Latino organization had finally come out when they heard an exchange of words and commotion occurring in the hallway.

Arpaio asked me if I sat through his speech. Replied quickly saying “NO!” I told him that I have heard him speak before and he has nothing good to say. I told him I did not want to even bother listening to his hate talk [this man is like a poisonous snake, nothing but venom and hate comes out of his mouth]. I then told him that I thought he was an IMBECILE. He was insulted you could see him get angry. He then asked me if I was threatening him, I told him I wasn’t. This man really needs to go figure out what the word threat is, very different from the word insult. I could have been more vulgar with him, but I attempted to remain somewhat tasteful. I replied stating “you want to know about threatening, you are the one who does the threatening. You threaten city officials, the community, and you murder people. Who is the one doing the threatening?” Several other things [which will be posted up if the boys are ever able to post the video up] were said. I mentioned the unsolved sex crimes, the separation of families, and finally [what made Arpaio walk away] his latest murder of Marti.

Then it was over. He cowardly walked away. Instead of even acknowledging any of my statements he walked away. I was not planning on being so angry, I could not help it. I look at this person and it makes me sick to my stomach to see how one man can do so much damage to so many lives and get away with it. If it were any of us doing even 1% of the fucked up shit that he does, we would have been thrown in Tent City so fast. But with Arpaio NOTHING. Nothing but a slap on the wrist. It frustrates me to know that the FBI and DOJ execute their so called “investigations” and cant even indict or even sentence the man.

We have to be able to connect the dots people. Arpaio does not have this power on his own. There are several people in the shadows and background  who aid and abed this behavior. The DOJ and FBI have as much blood on their hands, and blame for the separation of families as Arpaio and the MCSO do. There are several people in the city of Phoenix ans Maricopa County who have blood on their hands too. It is our duty and obligation to restore justice and humanity in Mariocopa County. We cannot sit quietly and expect problems to fix themselves. If we do not make noise and question the “norm” these injustices will continue to occur time and time again.

I would like to go back to the quote listed above the blog. I somewhat edited the part of men and put people. This quote was quoted my JFK when he was speaking about the Freedom Riders and their struggle for Civil Rights. This quote still makes sense today. We cannot be the people who think that Arpaio’s actions are wrong yet not do anything when we see him. We must put pressure on Arpaio. Everywhere he goes we must remind him of his wrong, remind him of the murderer he is. I challenged everyone who comes across this man to shine the mirror on him and let him know how disgusting and ugly he really is. I believe his time is up. The scales of justice will make him pay of all the wrong that he has done. We just have to do our part to raise our voice and let him know everywhere he goes there is opposition.

The Fight for Human Rights in Alabama

Upon arriving to Birmingham Alabama I did not know what to expect. All I knew was one thing; that Alabama was yet another ground zero for the frontline of the battle for migrant rights. I did not know what type of community I would meet nor what the political climate in Alabama would be. As soon as a stepped foot at the ACIJ office I met the group of folks that where united locally and others who had come from their hometowns to offer the Alabama communities some help.

Immediately I was brought up to date about everything I needed to know about HB56 the Alabama communities and the alley communities around me. They call this getting “Alabamafied.” I looked at the map of the state of Alabama and was being walked through every major state in Alabama. I was looking at cities in which I had never heard of before; the unknown ones were the ones with the highest cases of discrimination and abuse reports against the migrant community. On thing was for sure, I had walked into a battle zone. It is up to us to just arm the communities with knowledge and empowerment to be able to even stand a chance against this backwards legislation that Alabama is facing.

These past few days I have traveled all over the northern cities of Alabama and met amazing community leaders. Every day has been jammed packed with know your rights workshops, organizing 101, and even preparing for the state wide action that will take place in the state capitol of Montgomery Alabama on December 17th 2011. I have been tired; the small teams of us are all tired. But we have to go on and keep organizing. I have been in this state of non stop organizing before. As a matter of fact it was last summer when SB1070 was implemented in our communities of Arizona. Shit was bad there and shit is even worse here. So we fight, we move together, we mobilize together, cause there isn’t anyway that any community is going to take a SB1070 or an HB56 without a fight!

The political climate here has been far different than the one in Arizona. Putting aside the obvious reason that this is a different state. I have seen that Alabama is very united when it comes to the Blacks, Whites, and Migrant groups here. These community members are very outspoken about being against HB56. However there are the politicians and the others who support the bills. Because of the rich civil rights history that Alabama carries is why folks are so united against this fight. There are many who are embarrassed to be walking the same “Jim crow” (now Juan crow) road as they did over 40 years before. People have seen discrimination in their lifetime and are fighting to prevent this history from repeating itself. Unity is what Arizona lacks, and what Alabama has. However when you approach the migrant community to tend to see that these people are very scared. Their lives have been turned upside down; children suffer from the trauma of worrying about their parents coming home. Many have left their homes and have packed their lives in a U-Haul and went to another state, while others when back “home” a place they have left for years and one their children do not know. This bill has made life so unbearable for our migrant communities here. Often times I too feel their desperation when I find myself explaining to them that SB170 and HB56 are mechanisms of the attrition strategy that the department of homeland security has placed. These laws are crated to make life so unbearable for people that they will just do ICE’s job and “self deport.” This is the strategy that the department of homeland security has placed to be able to execute their “operation end game” (if you don’t know what this is look it up).

I have visited communities, houses, restaurants, and even detention centers upon my first week in Alabama. I have heard the screams of FREEDOM from the men who were locked up in the cages we know of as detention centers. I have witnessed prisoners and community members being able to communicate to each other about the horrible prison conditions. I have seen men and women stand up to these racist politicians by speaking up and speaking out against HB56 in town halls against them. I have seen people become empowered and have that “ah-ha” moment when they are sitting in trainings. There has been so much ugly here, but there are so many beautiful things that my eyes have witness through this past week.

I also want to state how down the mujeres here are!!! Most of the community members who are organizing and fighting back are mujeres. I have seen the women here pack a town hall, a classroom for know your rights etc. The women here have a lot of passion and are willing to fight and do what ever it takes to defend their lives and the safety of their families. Who would blame them? I would be doing the same if you took away the tags to my house, my children’s school, my job, my life from me.
These communities are joining forces to do something so powerful together. I am excited because these are the stomping grounds of the Civil Rights Movement.

In one week I have seen the progress that the communities, which I have had the honor to work with, have made. I have learned so much from other organizers here, and more importantly the community. Everyone in Alabama has opened their doors and their hearts to me as if I was one of them. I am one of them, another person in la lucha por libertad. Organizing in Northern Alabama has given me so many memories, stories, and lessons. One thing is for sure I felt the “Southern Hospitality” that Alabama is known for. Well expect for the racist town hall members who told me to go back to Arizona .

The pictures I have included with this post will be able to tell you a lot that also complement this blog. However, these few words and pictures aren’t able to describe everything. The only way to understand the way it is here is to come and visit and help organize yourself. I do hope that this post at least gives you more insight of how it is here. I just needed to jot down my first week before I forget. I am now in the southern part of Alabama. Ill be here for the next two weeks. I can wait to meet everyone and start kicking some ass together.I would like to thank the following people who have made Alabama home for me this past week: Noel Ingrid Salvador C Hope Ryan Drew Victor S and all of the community members

New Place, New Space, New Beginings

I can honestly say that it has been a long time since blogging and updating everyone on everything. Since May of 2011 there has been a lot of things that have changed in my personal life as well as in  organizing part of my life. I can honestly say that all of these changes couldn’t have happened at a better time in my life and they have all been for the best reasons.

Since May of 2011 there has been a separation between the place where we would organize out of, and the organization PUENTE itself. I am not going to talk about what happened or even scratch the surface on that issue on this blog. Please do not fall for the rumors said by those who don’t know [basically if you were not there; don't add your own commentary into the matter because it does not affect you. doing these this causes more destruction to movements than help it].

On Friday November 18th 2011 several members, volunteers, and new faces came together to help bring a rebirth to a place that is so special to me. Over four years ago I was a 19yr old who was going crazy and angry in reaction to the unjust laws and policies that were happening in my new community, Phoenix Arizona. Then, I was a MECHistA over at EMCC, who was trying to figure out where I could go to help bring light to the serious issue in our community. We planed a mini rally, we planned it there  with other MECHA chapters around Valle del Sol. We met in a space that once belonged to a grassroots organization called PUEBLO. We met in the space which I would return to four years later that would now be transformed into the PUENTE office. This place is very significant to me because it helped me come back to a place that I knew and see how much I have grown in the past four years.

Last Friday, we opened our doors to the community and to the world. We let it be known that we are still here and will always be there for everyone to do the work in the community that has to be done. With the help of everyone from the staff, to people like VProlific, Danielle, Manny, the Sound Strike, and the mujeres who helped cook the great food; we were able to put on an unforgettable “office warming concert.”

                                                                       

We had a hell of a line up of local hip hop artists who blew the crowd away with their conscious hip hop rhymes and performances. We also had such amazing folks from out of town who donated their time and money to come out and support the community. I want to give the spacial thanks to all of the performers: Fernz, Progreso, Shinging Soul, Mariachi Rebelde, VProlific, GRIME, Jashiri X, Rhymefest, Chino XL, and Immortal Technique for putting together (in my opinion) one of the best hip hop performances that my eyes have seen. I would also like to give some love to our house DJ Mayra E for throwing down the whole night and handling it on stage and representing the mujeres!

Overall when the live art walk, food area, vending area, music area came together it really felt like a Xican@ disneyland. To me it was the happiest place on earth to be in a space that was full of so much energy, excitement, and promise. Seeing the youth become so passionate and excited to be able to come back to a soace where they can come and fight against the injustices in our community brought back a bigger fire inside of me. Seeing all the usual faces that have been there to help and support us for years made me feel so at home and comfortable that our organizing family is, has, and will always be by our side.  Being able to talk about the new (but old) campaign to take out Arpaio AND 287(g), SCOMM and get a great reaction from the community was amazing.  (we have to focus on 287g and SCOMM cause you cant just take out the puppet without also targeting the things that give this clown so much power).

I left that night feeling good and excited to see what this new move brings. It couldn’t have been done with everyone’s help and it will not be able to survive with out your love and commitment to the community. I look forward to starting this new chapter with the old faces, the new faces, and those faces who we had seen before but disappeared for a while and have come back. Hasta la Victoria Siempre!

I would like to personally thank teh following people for helping with the event:

(dont hate me if I miss you, I have a bad memory )

Carlos, Diana, Jovana, Carlos Garcia (senior), the Ovalle sisters, Alexis, Leah, Danielle, Shrek Mexica and the security team, Chito,Manny & his familia, Jason JuJu & Barni with the video team,   Tania, Orlando, Profe Gomez, the hip hop artists listed above, Alicia, BAJI, the Florence project, PJ, Angel Diaz, the artists who brought their art, the sound team, food tream, security team, door team, etc I love you all!

Immortal Technique Performing in Our Parking Lot

Photo by Fernando Lopez

The Battle of Tucson: Muxeres and Elders Fight to Defend Ethnic Studies

It was 2:45pm when a group of us from Phoenix arrived to the TUSD school board building. Upon arriving there were already several dozens of students, community members, and supporters waiting in line to be able to get a seat inside the board meeting. Just as there were several dozen supporters for Ethnic Studies, we were all out numbered by police officers in riot gear, bomb squad searching the building with their dogs, the TUSD security staff, and other undercover police officers. Those of us who came from Phoenix were used to this disgusting sighting, for we are used to being surrounded by police officers and sheriffs deputies when ever there is a gathering. However, this was one of the first times where there was this much police militarization in a peaceful gathering.

We were all several hours early and waiting under the hot sun just to have a chance to sit in a support the students and community in their fight to save Ethnic Studies. While in line we were given several announcements by the police and security there that we would not be able to bring in backpacks or large purses or even liquids and bottled water. The security had a large staff in the front searching every ones bags, using the metal detector to scan for any weapons or chains (I am assuming). It was very disgusting and dehumanizing to have students, elders, and everyone be patted down and searched because the TUSD school board had said so. Do these people really have that much fear for elders and students? Or do they just fear an angry community that is being attacked by THEIR right wing agenda? Whatever the reason was the school board knew and understood that the support for Ethnic Studies was growing and that their actions would have consequences. Still, they forget that our people do not use violence and terror to win fights, unlike them. The students in line were reminding everyone to remain calm and peaceful by chanting In Lak’Ech.

In Lak’Ech

Tu eres mi otro yo,

You are my other me

Si te hango dano a ti,

If I do harm to you,

Me hago dano a mi mismo,

I do harm to myself,

Si te amo y respeto,

If I love and respect you,

Me amo y respeto yo,

I love and respect myself.

Upon entering the building we were all searched and profiled. There were periods in which no one was allowed to have any access what so ever to the drinking fountains and the lavatories. Only 90 of us were allowed to enter the room, when there is a maximum capacity of 141. At times it felt that we were outnumbered by the police on the inside. There were over 6 police officers in the front of the meeting room, 6 in the back, 6 more in the lobby, many others scattered around the bathrooms and building, and finally a break-room full of more police officers dressed in riot gear waiting to pounce on all of us. After numerous complaints few others were allowed to listen in the lobby area, and the lavatories were opened to the use of the people inside the building, they were still closed off to those outside. Once everyone who was allowed to enter the building entered, there was a metal barricade put in by police to keep everyone inside, inside; and keep everyone else outside and away from the doors. This not only made us feel like animals [locked in by metal fences inside] but it was also a fire hazard and a violation of our human rights! There were several incidents to where individuals walking to the bathrooms were watched and followed (including myself), if the police would see the same person walk to the bathroom more than once they would make “smart mouth” comments such as “boy you have a small bladder” and “I guess you didn’t finish doing your business the first time.”

The meeting finally started. There was a motion to decide whether or not to keep the May 5th meeting or cancel it. Many community members began shouting to keep the meeting there because the board has not fulfilled their duty to the community of talking to them, understanding the struggle, and even participating in dialogue with them. Finally, the board had decided to not have the meeting on May 5th which would negatively impact the community and those fighting for Ethnic Studies. The audience present felt the heavy hit knowing that there were several members of the school board who already knew how they were going to vote and carry on Tom Horne’s agenda and rid TUSD from MAS [Mexican American Studies].

At that point we had already been in the building for over an hour an a half when the floor was open for public speakers to come and speak on the subject of Ethnic Studies. There was a great line of supporters who spoke from Isabel Garcia to Dr. Cintli, and many many more. Speakers were given a strict time limit of 3 minutes to try to attempt to change the minds and hearts of the board. Three minutes isn’t even barely enough time to properly introduce yourself in my opinion, so how can one really get their statistics, analysis, and points in in 3 minutes? There was about thirty minutes of time given to few individuals to speak. After the thirty minutes there were still many other people who were waiting to speak and felt as if their voices and concerns should have been heard. So there were many brave individuals such as Katerina Sinclair and Lupe Castillo who went up to the podium, spoke, and said what they had to say even though the board was cutting off the mic in the podium in a effort to SILENCE the pueblo. There were orders given to remove Katerina and Lupe from the building, that is when the room went wild in the defense of an elder who was defending the rights and freedom of speech of Lupe. Soon the police officers cam in in riot gear attempting to escort Lupe and any others who were not complying with the “orders” of the school board. One Lupe was thrown out, there were other female professors and female elders who stepped up to the podium and spoke out against the ban of MAS. They too were bombarded by police officers in riot gear and thrown out (using force) of the building. At that moment the board room was in a state of anarchy, the board members had gone to the back room after giving orders to remove those who had to be removed. Others were on top of their chairs chanting and using their cameras and video cameras to document this abuse. While there were other students who had taped their mouths and were wearing t-shirts saying ” you can silence my voice, but you can never silence my spirit.”

The police was on a mission to attack the elders and remove anyone who was a “threat” to the meeting. When has anyone had such fear for elderly women? The police had even thrown out many media cameras that were inside filming the attack and assault on these elders. Elderly men and women were thrown out, pushed out, and even arrested do to fear. There were other women inside making a human blockade by throwing themselves on the floor and blocking any further access for police officers to attack anymore women and elders. Soon the police officers were trying to get the room to sit in their seats so that the meeting could continue.

After 20 minutes the meeting came back to “order.” There was no silencing the audience, twenty minutes into the meeting there were other muxeres who stood up and spoke about how Ethnic Studies have saved them and their peers. Maria and Westli were some of the many women who were arrested and escorted out due to the orders of  school board officials. We were all inside the room for over four hours without food or water. This did not even come as a concern to board members like Hicks who in fact did not even care about the meeting. Several times he was caught and called out for texting while the meeting was in session and people were speaking.

Outside of the meeting was equally as wild. There were helicopters hovering over the building, more police in riot gear, and police officers holding guns ans pepper spray waiting to attack. There were other police officers who had individual pictures of the nine students who had taken over the school board last week and were in charge of keeping an eye on them. The crowd was not intimidated they continued chanting, and listening in to the discussion playing from a speaker on the meeting that was going on.

It was approaching 10pm. The board decided to not take action and postpone the meeting and vote for another day. Outside there were people still chanting and demanding the release of the women arrested.

It is important that we look at the brave actions taken by our elders and young women yesterday, they showed no fear. These individuals stood up to what they believed in and did their part in fighting the good fight. This is an example for all of us to take by elders like Lupe who have paved the way for many of us to be seated in a classroom and even further our education in the university. These OG muxeres have and are putting their bodies and voices on the line for the future of the students. The younger women (who have taken Ethnic Studies) know and understand the value and importance of an education and they are too paving the way for the muxeres and students in the future generations to come. This is not an easy fight. We need everyone to come together from Phoenix to Tucson and fight this fight. Todos somos Arizona! We are all being hit hard from all areas, they want to deport our gente, erase our history, and criminalize us. Ya basta! I expect to see those who can make it out to Tucson out there next week. History is happening every day. Will you be the one who was sitting at home watching this happen on TV or will you be standing with us in the front lines?