I think that they should be contacting these people

Arizona to NAISA--Protest Arizona--Transform Conference
Submitted by admin on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 16:06
NAISA member Roberto Rodriguez has asked that the following message be posted:
(As a community, we've been meeting and this is what we have come up with. We
very much want NAISA to meet here... the following is a statement written to
all organizations/groups coming to, or thinking about coming to, Arizona.)

Statement:

As a group of educators, students, workers, organizers and immigration
activists who live in Arizona, we are fighting against SB 1070 daily. Because we are at the epicenter of the anti-immigrant movement, we invite organizers and
activists from throughout the country to join us in our actions and
protests in Arizona. (Good News: The Tucson City Council voted yesterday 5-1 to sue the state of Arizona over SB 1070. Flagstaff also voted to sue the state. Earlier,
the Pima Sheriff has also elected not to enforce SB 1070).
In Tucson, in addition to anti-immigrant hysteria, we are also involved in a
relentless cultural war involving what can be taught in Arizona schools.
Specifically, over the past few years, we have had to defend the validity of
Tucson Unified School District?s highly successful Raza Studies program. Less
than one week after the extremist state legislature passed a bill that
encourages racial profiling, they also passed HB 2281 that calls for
eliminating ethnic studies.

As a result of these two bills and others, communities throughout Arizona, led
primarily by young students, have risen up in protest. Seemingly the entire
country has risen up in solidarity with us. We are actually receiving support
from around the world. U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva has called for a
nationwide and international economic boycott of the state of Arizona. This
boycott is directed towards corporations, tourism, major economic activity in
the state and the state government (The 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix is one
example of major events that are being boycotted). It calls on
organizations to refrain from choosing Arizona as a convention or meeting site, etc..

Living in this battleground state compels us to stay and fight for our
human and political rights. Yes, we are appalled by repressive legislation that condones immigrant bashing but we are not ashamed of the valor that we have seen in
recent days especially by the youth in our middle schools, high schools,
colleges and universities, and we do not intend to hide inside our homes.

For those organizations that have already chosen Arizona as a site for
conventions, meetings or summits, etc., we ask that they reconsider
non-Arizona locations.This, however, may not be feasible for some that are
locked into contractual obligations. We ask that these groups consider
transforming their conferences and take the opportunity to send a powerful
message of disapproval to the state legislature and governor. We welcome
creative protest, before, during and after gatherings.

We welcome organizers and educators if you come to assist us side by
side in our daily battle against the forces of hate. Already, many organizations from
throughout the country and world have offered to send delegations to
experience these struggles firsthand. As such, we welcome gatherings that offer
strategies to promote social change and resist oppressive policies. Please maintain the
integrity of who you are, but do also consider transforming your conference
into one that clearly rejects the prevalence of racism in society,
particularly in this state.

We envision the creation of twenty-first century Freedom Schools and an influx
of Freedom Riders/ Freedom Walkers and other organizers. Work with us in
creating and mobilizing towards equality. We struggle for more than immigrant
rights;
this is a fight for human rights and justice and also, for the
right to be treated as full human beings.

For conferences/gatherings that cannot cancel, we suggest that:

· they affirm their strong opposition to the actions of the state
legislature and the governor.

· they add plenary or sessions to inform and strategize on how to resist
and repeal repressive legislation in Arizona and across the nation.

· they discuss the distinct connections between anti-immigrant policies
and those that promote homophobia, sexism and other forms of
discrimination and
dehumanization.

· they hold meeting/events in public places as often as possible to
attract media attention.

· organizers devise methods of creative protest to integrate into their
program and should make an effort to engage the local and national media to
cover the anti-immigration, anti-Mexican and anti-Indigenous politics in
Arizona.

· they seek out and align with local organizations, including youths, who
are often at the head of anti-hate movements.

· they seek out ethnic studies scholars or supporters and come to our
schools and meet and dialogue with our students.

· they not patronize corporate establishments for any reason. (Make your
own meals and try to stay in private housing. Conference organizers should
also provide participants with (progressive) eating establishments, etc.

· when and where feasible, take public transportation, caravan, or
carpool
to your destination. If you arrive by plane, do not consume, drink or make any
purchases at the airport.

If you come to Arizona, come prepared to protest and make history!

Signed (in alphabetical order)

Raul Aguirre, REA Media Group

Tanya Alvarez- Mother, Community Artist
Member of Partido Nacional de La Raza Unida (PNLRU)

Sean Arce ? UA Grad Student &
TUSD Director Mexican American Studies Department

Damian Baca UA Assistant Professor

Cheryl L. Bennett, M.A.,
American Indian Studies Doctoral Student

Julio Cammarota, UA Associate Professor

Rosario Carrillo, UA Assistant Professor

Lorraine N. Cruz, Dual Language
Language Arts Teacher, Pistor M.S.

Martha Dailey, UA Student

Martina Dawley, UA grad student

Richard Elias
TUSD- Mexican American Studies Advisory Member

Tiffany Escobar, UA MECHA

Frank J. Felix, PhD - Irvington Group

Lorenzo Gamboa, U of A Graduate chair
Mexican American Student Association (MASA)

Francisco Garcia, UA Professor

Norma Gonzalez, teacher,
TUSD Mexican American Studies Department

Patrisia Gonzales, UA Assistant Professor

Raquel Gutierrez, ASU alumna

Layla M Hernandez, PCC Student, Veteran US Army

Leo Killsback, University of Arizona, Phd

Kevan A. Kiser-Chuc, TUSD Gifted Education teacher,
Adjunct Faculty Pima Community College

Griselda Larios, UA student

David J. Leon--TUSD
Pima County Brown Berets-La Causa

adela c. licona, ph.d., UA department of english
president, feminist formations

Cesar Lopez, Tierra Y Libertad Organization - TYLO

Jessica Mejia, UA MEChA

Yvonne Montoya, Safos Dance Theatre, Tucson

Susan Nares, University of Arizona Libraries
Undergraduate Services Team

Lydia Otero TUSD- Mexican American Studies Advisory Member

Rachel Paz Rivera, M.S. (MAS 2007) H.S. Spanish Teacher
Sonoran Science Academy Charter School

Marcia Rincon-Gallardo, MSW - Ollin Associates

Arturo Rodriguez, UA -M.E.Ch.A. Co-chair

Kathryn Rodriguez, UA Graduate Student

Coalición de Derechos Humanos

Roberto Rodriguez, UA Assistant Professor

TUSD Mexican American Studies Advisory Member

Andrea Romero, UA Associate Professor

Michael W. Simpson J.D. , M.Ed
UA Ph.D Student in American Indian Studies

Elizabeth Soltero
TUSD- Mexican American Studies Advisory Member

Dr. Mercy A. Valencia (Retired) University of Arizona
Assistant Vice President

Uriel Varela Jr. - M.A. candidate
Center for Latin American Studies

http://naisa.org/node/226