Boletin Update by Padres & Jovenes Unidos Volume 5, Issue 4May 6, 2010On Friday, April 30th over 2,000 students from across the Denver metro area walked-out and marched to the Colorado State Capitol in response to Arizona's new anti-immigrant law, SB 1070. On Saturday, May 1st, over 10,000 rallied and marched again calling for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
The Power of Youth Organizing
YOUTH LEADERSHIP: In preparation for the student walk-out, approximately 60 members of the community met throughout the week to work on program, logistics and security for the event. In unity with this youth initiated effort, members of the Chicano community lent their wisdom, support and training to the effort.
As veteran Chicano activist and Danzante Azteca Mark de la Cruz Chavez stated to the young organizers, "We are here with all of you to pass on what we have learned - so that you can lead and continue the movement of our people for equality and justice."
Our planning meeting the night before the walk-out was kicked off by a press conference announcing the release of long time organizer in the movement for immigrant rights and active member of RIFA, Edgar Niebla. Thanks to the call to action led by CIRC and the outpouring of statewide and national community support, he has been released temporarily. Although we celebrated his release, the fight is not over. His fate is still to be decided so click here to donate to help Edgar with his case (include "For Edgar Niebla" in the note section) and let's continue the fight for comprehensive immigration reform!
Student demands of President Obama:
Step in to support and defend our brothers and sisters in AZ
Make it clear to AZ and all other states that ONLY the Federal Government has the right to develop and enforce immigration laws
Get rid of ALL police-ICE partnerships
Order ICE and the Dept. of Homeland Security to STOP ALL raids & deportations across the US
Support the boycott of AZ-based companies. For a list, visit our website (www.padresunidos.org)
Pass comprehensive immigration reform NOW
We thank all our partners in contributing to the success of this powerful student-led walk-out: Barrio Warriors, Cafe Cultura, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), DU Social Movements Class, DU Students for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Escuela Tlatelolco, La Raza Youth Leadership Program, MEChA, Metro Organizations for People (MOP), Reform Immigration for America (RIFA), Rights for All People (RAP), Servicios de la Raza and all our individual allies and friends. We also thank Congresswoman Diana DeGuette for coming out to speak in support of the students and calling for the DREAM Act.
Student Voices:
"We need to help each other in this fight for equality here in Colorado, in Washington D.C., in Nevada or even in Arizona. Where ever the fight is I want to know that we will be there. Si Se Puede!" Excerpt of speech by Victor, member of Jovenes Unidos and PAZ
"We cannot let politicians forget about the Arizona students who chained themselves to the capitol and were arrested for showing resistance. We need to remind Obama that there were people outside of the capital all night in vigils, and he cannot ignore them." Excerpt of speech by Leidy, Jovenes Unidos leader
"We are youth. The power of our voice is great. Let the power of the movement take you and inspire you to be a part of something bigger than yourselves, to unify us...I want us all to understand that we must unite in the name of justice and equality." Excerpt of speech by Dylan, Jovenes Unidos leader
"We as a people will look back at this day as a beautiful moment in time where we as a people, as a state, and as a nation stood together in the face of injustice." Excerpt of speech by Lily, student member of PAZ and RIFA
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