Press release: The Legislature is Gone, But We Are Still Here
For immediate release // excuse Cross-Posting
Contact: Reyna Montoya, Aliento, reyna@alientoaz.org
Jose Patiño, Aliento, jose@alientoaz.org
The Legislature is Gone, But We Are Still Here
Dreamers, students, educators, and community call for in-state tuition
Exhibition, Performance, followed by Press Conference
Phoenix, AZ— Aliento alongside students, educators and community members are hosting an Education Day 2.0: The Pivot. As the state legislature ends session this week 2,000 Dreamers and undocumented students are graduating from our Arizona high schools each year. Senate President Karen Fann & Speaker Rusty Bowers did not prioritize our students this legislative session. Even though legislation is over, they have the opportunity to be the leaders that our Arizona needs. We are here today at the Capitol asking our legislators to give voters an opportunity to vote and support dreamers so they can be eligible for in-state tuition and merit-based scholarships.
“After a rigorous college application process these past few months, I was offered a full ride scholarship to attend Loyola Marymount University in California. If it was up to me, I would have attended Barrett College at Arizona State University. Unfortunately due to the lack of opportunities for students like me in Arizona, I will be going to California and positively impact their economy, workforce, and state in general.” Saul Rascon Salazar, a dreamer and Brophy College Prep Academy high school graduate.
What: Live exhibition of stories of dreamers, undocumented students and allies who support in-state tuition for all Arizona high school graduates, followed by a live performance and a press conference. Speakers include students from Brophy College Prep Academy, Xavier College Prep Academy, Bioscience High School, Arizona State University and Harvard University.
Where: AZ Capitol meet at the House Lawn; 1700 W Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Date: May 29, 2019
Time: 9:00 to 9:30AM Exhibition Arizona Residents in Support of in-state tuition.
9:50am. Performance of: “Education is Not a Crime (DREAMIX)” a song that highlights the denial of the basic human right of higher education for Baha’i Faith in Iran and undocumented immigrants in the US by Cobly Jeffers, Ileana Merary, Eduardo Pym and Ladan Kamali.
10:00 to 10:30AM press conference followed by Q&A.
Who: Aliento, an undocumented and dreamer-led community based organization and allies who are invested in the well being, emotional healing, and leadership development of those impacted by the inequalities of lacking an immigration status.
