Thread: Student-run summit to set stage for future marches

May 19, 2006, 8:13AM

Student-run summit to set stage for future marches
Free workshops to educate youth on immigration


By CYNTHIA LEONOR GARZA
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

High school and college students who have rallied in the streets for rights for illegal immigrants hope to form a citywide student alliance to plan future forums and marches.

Several hundred students are expected to gather for the Raza Youth Empowerment Summit on Saturday at the University of Houston.

The free event, for students and by students, aims to provide the tools to organize, mobilize and empower youth as they fight for what they call civil and human rights for their communities.

Workshops will educate the students on the immigration reform measures currently being debated. Organizers include Young Immigrants for a Better Future, MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán), La Raza Justice Movement, La Nueva Raza Newspaper-Magazine and the UH Mexican-American Studies Program.

"We're going to throw a net around the city and see what kids are interested in forming clubs on their campuses," said organizer Karla Lorena Aguilar.

Throughout April, thousands of mostly Hispanic high school students walked out of area schools or staged campus sit-ins to protest proposed law changes that would criminalize illegal immigrants. After two major citywide rallies, on April 10 and May 1, the protest scene has remained quiet.

Students "are wondering why people lost interest, but in reality the movement has been moving at light speed," said Mike Espinoza, a graduate student and publisher of La Nueva Raza.

Students have played a key role in previous civil rights movements, but organization is key, students said.

"It's easy to skip classes, but the real work starts now, after school is over," said Zelene Pineda, a junior at Lamar High School. Pineda said it was important for students to educate themselves about what they're fighting for.

Pineda, who is living in the country on an expired visa, said despite her illegal status she doesn't feel limited in what she can do in the future and she is going to keep on fighting for the cause.

Interested educators and parents also are invited to attend Saturday's workshop.

cynthia.garza@chron.com

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 74019.html

Pineda, who is living in the country on an expired visa, said despite her illegal status she doesn't feel limited in what she can do in the future and she is going to keep on fighting for the cause.

I propose that right after we get this immigration mess straightened out, we really need to take back our schools. They are really indoctrination camps instead of schools and the government needs to get their agenda away from our children.

Schools are for education, not social commentary. There may come a day when our children will have to stand up for their country although they will not know that because they have been brainwashed.

Schools are for education, not social commentary. There may come a day when our children will have to stand up for their country although they will not know that because they have been brainwashed.

Some public school teachers are using their students as pawns for the promotion of illegal immigration. This is because the Feds pay public schools on a per student basis. More students = more tax payer funded money. The same goes for social workers. More people on their case load = more money in their paycheck.

This activity will stop when teachers and social workers start coming down with the infectious diseases that a growing number of illegals are bringing with them.