The School of the Americas Watch is a nonviolent organization whose primary goals are to shut down the SOA and change the oppressive U.S. foreign policy that the school represents while standing in solidarity with the peoples of Latin America through media and legislative work, vigils, fasts, and demonstrations.

The School of the Americas Watch will hold their annual November Vigil to Close the School of the Americas at the gates of Fort Benning on November 18- 21, 2010. The vigil honors the anniversary of a massacre on November 16, 1989, in which six Salvadoran Jesuit priests and two civilian women were killed at the University of Central America. A United Nations Truth Commission found that out of the 27 soldiers cited for the massacre, 19 were graduates of the SOA.

Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A.) is a student organization that promotes higher education, cultura, and historia. M.E.Ch.A. was founded on the principles of self-determination for the liberation of our people. We believe that political involvement and education is the avenue for change in our society. To find out more about our organization, please visit: nationalmecha.org

To find out more about The School of Americas Watch including their November 2010 Vigil please visit: soaw.org

National Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA) to Protest Arizona’s HB 1070 and SB 2281 and the privatization of higher education at the University of Washington on May 28th 2010.

SEATTLE -- National Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA) and MEChA de UW will be having an action on May 28th, 2010 from 2-5pm at the University of Washington during the National MEChA Conference to demand an accessible education system that does not exploit students, immigrants, first generation college students, workers and our communidad!

MEChA de UW and National MEChA condemn the recent actions by the legislators and governor of Arizona regarding both SB 1070 and HB 2281. The removal of Ethnic Studies and the racial profiling in Arizona further disefranchises people of color by refusing to acknowledge the historical impacts of racial and social inequalities in our education and immigration systems. We recognize that the Universities DO NOT belong to legislators or Board of Regents; rather they belong to the people and OUR community! As college students and high school students, students of color, workers, immigrant and social justice organizations, we came together to organize this urgent action.

In order to keep our universities more accessible and public, we demand low-tuition and more financial aid in particular for undocumented students, low-income students, students of color, mujeres/womyn, joteria/queer/trans comunidad, first generation college students, and students with disabilities. OUR EDUCATION should not reflect that of the dominant* oppressive system, wealthy, and elitist societies that push and deny our communities an accessible education! When education is inaccessible, it only reflects the views of the dominant racial, wealthy, and elitist class that can afford access. This creates a cycle that further pushes and denies our people an education.

The current budget cuts target all low-income students at the University of Washington, which also includes Washington's HB 1079 students. As the tuition increases and the financial support of Ethnic Studies and Women Studies decreases, the impact of the budget cuts drastically affects undocumented youth and undocumented immigrants because of the lack of financial and legal support for both our departments and communities. WE would like to emphasize that the Husky promise should not be a promise with limitations, and must include HB 1079 students, because all people should have the same access to an affordable and just education!

As students demanding equal rights for all peoples, we are concerned about the recent actions in the State of Arizona with SB 1070, the removal of Ethnic Studies with HB 2281 and the impact these laws will have on people of color and displaced peoples in the United States. We feel there must be immediate action by the UW Board of Regents, UW President, Washington State legislators, and Governor Gregoire to ensure the full protection of the University of Washington Ethnic Studies and Women Studies Departments from such racist and prejudiced laws that do not recognize the struggles and racial, social, and gender inequalities in the United States. Education must be representative of ALL our communities and serve as a source of knowledge and empowerment that reflects all our histories, thus breaking down barriers by allowing us to learn about all peoples.

Students of Color and underrepresented students do not feel safe when Ethnic Studies departments are attacked and we want the University of Washington to make a commitment to FULLY PROTECT the Department of Ethnic Studies and Women Studies from ever being in a position of elimination. Therefore, we also demand that the UW administration immediately allocate more funds and services to the departments and we need the administration and Board of Regents to ensure us that racism, xenophobia, etc will not be tolerated on our campus.

We must unite AS A COMMUNITY to end the privatization of our education and make the educational system accessible to ALL! EDUCATION IS A HUMAN RIGHT, therefore we strongly believe that the struggles of students, immigrants, workers, and our communities are interlinked to ending the privatization of institutions of higher education. By fully funding and supporting Ethnic Studies and Women Studies, UW will make a commitment to moving towards a more accessible education system where students will continue learning a new critical perspective and ways of thinking about anti-oppression and anti-racist education for all peoples regardless of social, racial, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds. Therefore as students, workers, community members:

WE DEMAND an equal access and affordable education! We want OUR universities and colleges to be affordable and accessible to undocumented immigrants, first generation college students, low-income students, people of color, and other marginalized communities!

WE DEMAND our legislators to prioritize Pre-K, K-12 Education and Higher Education, rather than investing in military recruitment, prisons, and detention centers in our neighborhoods!

WE DEMAND an END to Budget Cuts and Layoffs of custodians and other immigrant workers on our campuses.

WE DEMAND the UW to fully protect and increase funding for the Department of Ethnic Studies. Our university should not tolerate xenophobia, racism, racial profiling, and the elimination of Ethnic Studies in Arizona.

WE DEMAND the University of Washington, King County, and the State of Washington immediately boycott any business and/or contracts with the State of Arizona until both SB 1070 and HB 2281 are repealed! We want an Immigration Reform and education system that is just and respectful of all peoples.

As a result of the recent actions of the State of Arizona and due to the ongoing privatization of our education system, we are calling for immediate action and invite you all to join us at the National MEChA Action that will be taking place on Friday, May 28, 2010 at 2-5pm at the University of Washington Seattle Campus, Red-Square. For clarification and additional information, direct all queries to our press contact Maria L. Guillen Valdovinos at maria@nationalmecha.org and 206.356.3500.

Thank You,

MEChA de University of Washington

*We define dominant oppressive systems as: Powers that be”, Privilege Class, Age, Race, gender privilege. Assimilative Oppressors, Sexism, Homophobia, Immigration/ documentation status, Colonialism, ableism.

SEATTLE, Washington (April 24, 2010) - As National Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A.) we completely oppose the recent decisions made on Senate Bill 1070 by both legislative and Governor Jan Brewer of the state of Arizona. This bill will further suppress immigrants without dealing with the root of the current economic, cultural, and social crises.

This bill fosters an environment that excludes a specific population based on their cultural identity, national origin, and racial appearance. SB1070 is indistinguishable from the Jim Crow laws of the 19th and early 20th century, which intentionally created segregated, powerless, and dehumanized peoples. SB1070 fails to acknowledge this history by, yet again, fostering a second-class citizenry which it achieves through discriminatory race-based legislation and action.

As concerned members of this society and global citizens, the SB1070 is not only an infringement on people's human rights but we believe it is also further deepening the already erupting tensions among the United States of America and the global community. Let it be known that, "Mexico also observes with concern the likelihood of negative effects that this measure may have for the future development of friendship, commercial, touristic and cultural ties that have characterized the relationship between Mexico and Arizona for generations, particularly with the state of Sonora" (Statement of Mexico Embassy). In addition to Mexico's concerns about the SB1070, we believe that the SB1070 can possibly lead the United States into a deeper international conflict with the global community.

The passing of SB1070 will further discriminate against communities of color regardless of documented status. This bill will not create a more secure Arizona instead it will legalize state violence and harassment in communities of color. The unethical privatization of prisons will use this law to fill and expand prisons in order to continue profiting off of the exploitation of our people. We recognize this as a direct attack; not only against undocumented people but also all those who do not share the sentiment of criminalizing people based on skin color.

This piece of legislation imposes fear and dehumanizes our communities. It also goes against life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness granted by the United States constitution and the universal declaration of human rights. According to article two in the universal declaration of human rights, "everyone is entitled to all the rights set forth in this declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status." According to article three, "everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person."

As National M.E.Ch.A. we are aware that the state of Arizona has taken measures to ensure the rights of its people. Yet in this case, the Arizona state legislature and Governor Jan Brewer do not exemplify or reflect this benevolent action. Instead it violates civil rights and hinders itself in understanding of human rights as a state with the passing of SB1070.

Enacting this law has overlooked the diverse human struggles that all of our ancestors had to overcome in order to immigrate to this nation. We challenge you to ask yourself, "What struggle did my parents, grandparents, etc face in order to become citizens of the United States?" If the answer to this question is non-definitive then you have no basis for creating laws concerning the migration of people.

Furthermore, we feel that the great state of Arizona, while trying to be a leader and at the forefront of immigration and immigration reform, has taken a tremendous leap backwards when it comes to human and civil rights. SB1070 goes against everything the state of Arizona and its people should stand for.

Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A.) is a student organization that promotes higher education, cultura, and historia. M.E.Ch.A. was founded on the principles of self-determination for the liberation of our people. We believe that political involvement and education is the avenue for change in our society. To find out more about our organization, please visit: nationalmecha.org.

The event is organized nationally by: MigrantStudents.org. They are working in collaboration with the American Red Cross and America's Blood Centers. Your local blood center needs to identify student organizers ASAP in order to be able to schedule the blood drive on the schedule. So, please download your application and submit ASAP. The actual blood drive will take place during March 2010, most likely on March 31st, Cesar E. Chavez's Birthday.

• Estrella Mountain Community College, AZ
• Palo Verde College, CA
• Santa Rosa Junior College, CA
• South Mountain Community College, AZ
• Western Oregon University, OR
• Yakima Valley Community College, WA

This event also falls into the National MEChA HIV/AIDS/STD Education Advocacy Agenda. When blood is donated it is tested; one of the goals of the Advocacy Agenda is having people tested. Also, one of the goals of this event is to: "Increase awareness of health issues such as Diabetes and STDs/HIV."

The aims of the National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive are to reach the following 10 objectives:

1. Save lives!
2. Increase awareness of Cesar Chavez's legacy as a national civic leader;
3. Increase awareness and number of blood & plasma donors within the Raza community;
4. Increase awareness and number of organ and tissue donors within in the Raza community;
5. Increase awareness of health issues such as Diabetes and STDs/HIV;
6. Promote healthy lifestyle through the donor screening & education process (Fitness, Diet);
7. Increase awareness of health professions within the Raza community;
8. Promote higher education retention through engaging student programming;
9. Promote community outreach through donor outreach and family educational programming;
10. Develop leadership skills through ongoing student organizer training and experience.

For more detailed information you can click here. If you have any further questions you can email support@migrantstudents.org or contact Glen G. Galindo at: gggalindo@migrantstudents.org.

If your chapter organizes a blood drive as part of this campaign, let us know at info@nationalmecha.org and you'll be added to the list!

Congratulations!
Texas A&M International University at Laredo
2009 Most Successful Blood Drive!

As the economy crumbles, the cost of higher education continues to increase becoming less and less attainable for many. Nuestra gente are looked as a scapegoat for many of the country's ills, and we must fight to end it. Let us reinvigorate the movement with our energy in 2010!

The website is still undergoing construction, but we hope to make it a focal point of our large network of MEChA chapters bringing us all on step closer together as we unite and fight these injustices. So, keep checking back for new improvements.

The event was organized by the students of MEChA from the University of Oregon chapter and chapters from across the Nation, as well as CAUSA, Oregon's immigrant rights coalition, with the help and support of various UO Departments, PCUN, and Eugene community organizations.

The Rally for Comprehensive Immigration Reform and Immigrant Rights is taking place from 2:30pm on Courthouse steps outside Peter DeFazio's Office in Eugene. (405 E. 8th Street, Eugene).

SOURCE: http://causaoregon.blogspot.com/2009/03/600-students-rally-for-comprehensive.html

Letter from MEChA de University of Oregon

Saludos National MEChA,

   We hope that you are doing well en sus respective comunidades, we wanted to take this time to inform National MEChA about MEChA de University of Oregon. Our MEChA chapter has existed at the University of Oregon for over 30 years and has done continuous work supporting Raza in Oregon and nationwide. Some of the major issues that MEChA de U of O has worked towards are labor justice issues by supporting various boycotts and actions on grapes, tomatoes and lettuce as a means of solidarity with farm workers. We have historical coalitions/relationships with organizations around the state including CAUSA, an immigrants rights organization based out of Portland, and Pinero y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN), located in Woodburn. We also have strong ties with social justice organizations, businesses, and schools because of some of our programs, like Ganas, an after school program in which we go to different middle schools and help them with mentoring, homework and building relationships with the students. Because of our history and our continued pursuit in helping Raza in our communities, we would like to propose to National MEChA to have the 16th Annual MEChA National Conference at the University of Oregon, hosted by MEChA de U of O.

   We believe that it will be a great opportunity to have Raza from around the nation come to the northwest, and the state of Oregon more specifically, to gain some knowledge of the issues affecting our community locally. Such as the anti-immigrant groups that have been actively trying to criminalize "undocumented" people throughout the state; the Executive Order #07-22 of Governor Kulongoski to only give drivers licenses to people who are documented; Tuition Equity, a bill allowing undocumented high school students to attend a public university with in-state tuition; or the local ICE raids that have been on the rise. Most reported nationally has been the Del Monte raid in Portland, Oregon in June 2007 where more than 165 people were held, many deported and some mothers with young children were held under house arrest to take care of their families. These issues are affecting Raza everyday, and these struggles are ones that we hope that National MEChA would like to hear by having the National MEChA conference in the city of Eugene, Oregon at the University of Oregon.

   MEChA de U of O would also like to keep in the tradition of MEChA and challenge ourselves to think of new ways to progress as an organization and work more effectively for the community. Some of the ways we would like to do this is by thinking of communities within Raza, Chicanas y Chicanos that we often don't address in a conference through workshops, speakers and entertainment. Issues of dis/ability, gender oppression, heterosexism, trans y queer/jotería are all things that we would like to address in the conference following with our advocacy agendas y otros papeles. We believe as a chapter that we have strong relationships on our campus where we can gain support from staff, professors, and administration. MEChA de U of O creemos que tenemos a unique opportunity to provide a space for National MEChA to learn about new things, learn from one another, organize Raza y también have a good time. We hope that National MEChA, and each individual region and chapter strongly consider coming to Oregón and having MEChA de University of Oregon host the 16th Annual MEChA Conference.

In Solidarity,

MEChA de Univeristy of Oregon

After the meeting was adjourned I was approached by various Blue Diamond workers and I was informed that even until today there are many remarks made directly to the employees by management that the "ACTION ON THE 21ST HAD NO IMPACT, AND THAT THE STUDENTS HAVE NO POWER AND MADE NO DIFFERENCE". Now, let's go back in time to Friday March 21st, 2008 the day of our national action, and remember that on that day more than 500 MEChistAs showed up and that there was a minimal amount of workers at the plant. If students truly had no power, how is it that even though after over 20 years, the company chose that day to give its workers the holiday (Good Friday) off?! Yea, students have no power. Because according to the workers that I talked to, everyone knows we were there even though our chalk art with strong messages of solidarity was washed off the next morning.

So I think it's right to assume that this company obviously wants to prevent its workers from knowing we and everyone else support them. It is also right to assume that we definitely made an impact, and that will it continue onto the future of this campaign. As it passed in the resolution circle at nationals (I will send a copy of that as soon as I get it) we have made the commitment to stand in solidarity with these workers.

The ILWU and specially the Blue Diamond workers send their gratitude for all our support and gladly look forward to further work with us.

If there are any questions don't hesitate to ask.

In solidarity,

Guambry Santillan
MEChA de Sac City College
Alta Califas Norte MEChA Región

NEWS ADVISORY: Sacramento City Council to intervene in Blue Diamond union standoff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2008
Contact: Marcy Rein, ILWU Organizing Dept., 510-847-4443. Para información en español, favor de llamar á Agustin Ramirez, ILWU, 916-606-4681 (cell)

Attention: Daybook/Assignment Desk

Sacramento City Council to take hard look at Blue Diamond Tuesday, will offer plan to end stand-off over union vote

SACRAMENTO - The Sacramento City Council will vote Tuesday evening on a proposal to intervene and end the long-running standoff between Blue Diamond Growers (BDG) and its workers who want to join the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).

A rally and news briefing will be held at 5:30 p.m. TUESDAY outside City Hall (915 I St.), prior to the City Council meeting at 6 p.m. (Blue Diamond is expected to be the first item on the agenda).

The proposal calls on Mayor Heather Fargo to create an ad hoc committee of no more than four members of the City Council to meet informally with representatives of Blue Diamond management, workers and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) to mediate the longstanding conflict over how the workers will decide whether or not they want a union.

The workers now say they would be willing to have a secret ballot election, as long as the company agrees to some additional ground rules to ensure it will be a "free and fair" election.

Blue Diamond has so far refused to consider any changes to the flawed NLRB process. A panel of eight community leaders including Councilmember Steve Cohn and State Sen. Darrell Steinberg wrote to BDG in December urging the company to adopt fair ground rules for a union vote. Blue Diamond CEO Doug Youngdahl let two months lapse before sending Sen. Steinberg a dismissive reply.

The Council will also get an update on Blue Diamond's compliance with the economic development agreement it signed with the city in 1995.

DQ Univerisity is California's ONLY tribal college. There has been an on-going struggle between DQU students and the DQU Board of Trustees since 2005 when the school lost its accreditation. Incompetence and negligence on the part of the former school administration cost the college its accreditation in January of 2005. Following that, a group of DQU students, with community support, vowed to stay on campus and take charge of their own education, turning the campus into a healthy, self-sustainable, and self-determined living environment!

On February 20th, 3 students from DQ University were arrested under the false pretenses of trespassing, unjustly by the Board of Trustees. Earlier this week, another 18 were arrested with the same charges!!!

The students need your support!!! We ask for your presence on this date to show the board and the courts that the community is behind us and WE WANT OUR SCHOOL BACK!! NO MORE UNJUST ARRESTS!!!

For more information contact Christal West (MEChA de UC Davis) at: christal@nationalmecha.org

Below is the Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday March 31, 2008

Press Contacts:
Manuel Santana: (408) 914-1079 spicband@yahoo.com
Ignacio Barragan: (714) 423-0716 ibarragan@ucdavis.edu
Lupita Torres: (408) 529-3849 peetuhpocket@yahoo.com

D-Q UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND ELDERS ARRESTED EARLY THIS MORNING
Vigil Planned in Front of the Yolo County Detention Center Later This Evening

Davis, CA- Student Leaders at Deganawidah-Quetzalcoatl are preparing a demonstration at 5:30 pm tonight in front of the Yolo County Detention Facility after a series of arrests that took place today on D-Q University campus early this morning around 9:30 am. Seventeen Youth and Elders were arrested, most without being given the option of leaving.

The Board of Trustees, accompanied by the Yolo County Sheriff's Department have attempted to remove all the students from campus and brought in a locksmith to replace all the locks. One supporter remains on campus - having climbed up a tree, with the Sheriffs waiting to remove her. Another community supporter was threatened by the police to have the CPS called on her when she begged the Sheriffs to get permission to remove her baby's diapers and needs from the campus.

The Associated Student Body of D-Q University is sending out an urgent appeal to the community to come and show their support against this great injustice. They encourage community members and media to arrive and participate in the student's demonstration action and vigil. On its own, the Student Body of D-Q U is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that currently holds the only classes at D-Q University, California's ONLY Tribal College.

The Board of Trustees has not functioned to serve its purpose towards attaining re-accreditation, holding classes on campus, hiring a new administration, and/or bringing in funding for the school in the 3 years since their inception. The board has also been canceling meetings, having not met for the last 2 months, which highlights their inability to manage, run or organize a functioning institution.

In response to this neglect, the community has united with the students to implement a new board. The current Student Leaders hold numerous programs and workshops such as the Indigenous Perma-culture Program, bio-diesel workshops and bi-weekly ceremony on campus, despite constant harassment from former board members. Students are actively searching for teachers who can further develop a new curriculum and new board members to apply for membership.

The Native and Chicano communities around Yolo and Sacramento Counties agree that the Board of Trustees are incompetent and has repeatedly failed to re-implement the educational mission of the school - a mission that seeks to unify all Indigenous people and create a harmonious relationship with the community. This embodies continued commitment towards both traditional and formal higher education for all Indigenous people.

Please support the D-Q U 3 on their court date
Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 8:30am
Yolo County Superior Court
725 Court Street
Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 406-6700.

We are requesting letters written by the community be sent to the CA Office of the Attorney General Jerry Brown in support of the Associated Body of D-Q University.

The Associated Student Body will be hosting a Pow Wow on Sunday, April 6, 2008. The community is invited to attend a Planting of the Corn Ceremony, which will happen in conjunction with the Pow Wow, to welcome in the new Spring Season and celebrate Mother Earth. Applications for enrollment into the new Board of Trustees will also be accepted on this day.

For more information visit http://www.myspace.com/dquniversity or contact one of our coordinators.

The video above is from the National MEChA action in support of Blue Diamond workers in Sacramento, CA on Friday, March 21, 2008. During the Sunday resolution circle MEChA passed a resolution calling on Blue Diamond Growers to meet the demands of the demands of the workers. We will continue to follow their struggle and support workers rights. 2008-04-08T05:04:03Z 2008-03-04T09:07:34Z tag:www.nationalmecha.org,2008://1.135 2008-03-04T09:07:34Z

Do you have what it takes? Participate in this year's Chican@ Idol at the 2008 National MEChA Conference! Show off your talent and represent for your chapter! Sign-up forms can be downloaded from the conference forms page. The deadline to submit forms is March 12, 2008. Make sure to spread the word! You can also download the flyer image and post it on your favorite social networking site.

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Copy and paste the following code onto your page or on comments to spread the word:
<center><a href="http://www.nationalmecha.org/national_forms.html"><img src="http://www.nationalmecha.org/images/chicanoIdol.gif" width="450" height="588"></a></center>

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Joaquín Castañeda of MEChA de CSUS has been named the 2008 Frederick A. Cervantes Undergraduate Premio recipient. The announcement comes in the Pre-Conference issue of Noticias de NACCS.

Joaquín will present his work during the student plenary on Friday, March 21, 2008 at the NACCS conference in Austin, TX. His paper is entitled: "€œThe Oak Park Redevelopment Plan Housing Policy Implications for a Community Undergoing Early Stage Gentrification.â"

Joaquín Castañeda was born and raised in La Puente, east of Los Angeles, California. He is currently a senior majoring in Government and Chicano-Latino Studies at the California State University, Sacramento with plans on entering a Doctoral program in the area of Sociology or Education Policy in the fall of 2009. His commitment to research and community praxis has been shaped and fueled by his passion to remedy the very same inequities he and his community has and continues to face. His experience of an urban upbringing and the environment of inequities has motivated his deep desire to promote social justice and social change. Joaquin refuses to view the struggles he has encountered thus far as forms of victimization, but rather as opportunities for developing a critical perspective and a deeper fundamental understanding of urban education, politics, and culture.

He states he is someone who never formally graduated from High School and spent years taking remedial courses to reach college level material. Upon reflection, Joaquin is grateful for his Chicana/o Studies courses for they have provided him with the space and discourse to make links between the material conditions of his community and scholarship. Mechistas, profesores, comunidad, and his familia have been instrumental in the process and continue to be an insatiable source of inspiration, ganas, and the greater sense of purpose in his academic endeavors. He is thankful for their unconditional support!

A leader in MEChA de CSUS, he serves as chair for both Public Relations and the Political Committee. In 2006, he help organize a successful action in the advocacy of student space at CSUS by organizing students, faculty and staff to demand that a permanent Director for the Multicultural Center be made a priority of the University. He was not going to originally submit his paper due to the conflict of schedules between the 2008 National MEChA Conference and NACCS Annual, but was highly encouraged by a faculty mentor to submit his paper. Joaquin feels very honored by this recognition and as his mother would say "le dio un patatus." His paper addresses gentrification and displacement of a Raza neighbor in Sacramento. His research was funded and supported by the campus McNair program.

Good job Joaquín!