On Monday, April 6th, the Colorado Senate voted 16 to 18 to defeat the Tuition Equity Bill, SB 170. After hours of debate, some of it inspiring and eloquent, some of it ugly and xenophobic, the Senate voted against the bill with 5 Democrats siding with the Republicans. This bill would have allowed all students graduating from Colorado high schools the opportunity to attend college at in-state tuition rates.

We would like to thank the Senators who voted for SB 170. We would like to extend a special thank you to the sponsors, Senator Romer and Representative Miklosi for your hard work and unwavering commitment. We also want to thank Senator Tapia for your profound and historical words on the Senate floor and to Senate President Groff for so eloquently articulating the spirit of Martin Luther King and calling on your colleagues to do what is right and moral. We would like to thank Governor Ritter for your statement of support for this legislation. To some, it might have seemed unusual that you would have weighed in so early, but to us it was not surprising coming from someone who has never wavered on his stand to do what is best for all students.

To everyone who organized, came forward to support the bill and stood for equality and justice, we thank you for your courage and hard work in advancing the cause of dignity and human rights.

And lastly, to the youth who took the lead in this work, who walked up and down the streets on week nights and weekends talking to local businesses, who got thousands of signatures at churches and in their schools, who were at the capitol and saw the best and the worst in their policy makers. We thank you. Your work is an inspiration and a reflection of the humanity we all strive for. Your dedication towards human rights stands in sharp contrast to the policy makers who would deny them.

To the hundreds of students who now face more uncertainty in your lives, who were hoping that finally, doors were going to open, this is our promise to you: We will not give up. Padres and Jovenes Unidos, the Higher Education Access Alliance (HEAA) and the thousands of people who supported this bill will not give up. We ask the same of you, don't give up. Stay in school. Continue to do your best. Graduate from high school. Every single one of you who stays in school and graduates is an act of defiance and resistance against the hatred and bigotry that was present on the Senate floor and the shameful actions of some Senators.

While we are sad that we did not win - students in Jovenes Unidos are refusing to fall to despair. For them, giving up is not an option. They are over being sad. Now they are angry and ready to move on. They are not going to back down. And their parents will be right there with them. They are already discussing new strategies to advance our struggle for access to higher education and equality for all of us. Join us. There is much work to be done. Together we can't be stopped. Together, we will win. Aqui estamos y no nos vamos! We are here and we shall not be moved! This is our promise.