De Anza College students have banded together to form a subcommittee in protest of SB 1070, a law that allows Arizona police to demand that any person suspected of being an illegal immigrant provide the proper documents.
Social rights groups have protested the law as racist, and boycotts of Arizona by public officials in San Francisco and San Jose have been proposed.
“As an immigrant I can say that we are students and are hard working people just like everyone else. The law SB-1070 is an attempt to scapegoat immigrant workers and families for the problems caused by the elite class ruling this country,” committee member Jose Romero, 22, said.
The committee operates on a system that includes six responsibilities: research, outreach, publicity, action/protest, budget/fundraising and coordinating.
Kaylan O’Byrne is the head coordinator of the committee, and will oversee all other departments.
“I invite everyone to fight against this racist and xenophobic attack by the right-wing. Together we can build a better future and a society with dignity and justice,” Romero said.
De Anza community action against SB 1070 has expanded beyond school walls. Sociology instructor Mari Huerta and student Scott Hallgren, co-founders of the TOUCCh project at De Anza, will participate in the National Day of Action June 29 in Arizona.
“It’s vitally important to take a stance on immigration rights. It’s easy for us to forget where the foundation for our society is from. Immigrants support California, and we should support them,” committee member Felicia McMullen, 21, said.
De Anza’s Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán will hold an inauguration in the main quad June 3. According to Romero, members will speak out against SB 1070 and its negative effects on not just minorities, but America’s image as well.
SB 1070 will go into effect July 28, three months after it was passed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on April 23.
Committee positions have been filled, but newcomers are welcome to assist in any capacity. Current committee members encourage their fellow colleagues to attend meetings and to spread the word.
