Posts By: Protesting Arizona

UA Board of Regents Meeting

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Today was the University of Arizona Board of Regents meeting. Dennis Deconcini sits on this board as well as the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the nation’s largest private prison company. There was a call to the audience at the start of this meeting and plans were made to call on Deconcini to step down from the CCA board as it directly contributes to the school to prison pipeline in Arizona.

Although 10-20 people showed up to speak to this issue, just prior to the call to the audience they were approached and told that only one person would be allowed to speak on this topic and only for 3 minutes so a spokesperson must be chosen.  In addition, the length of the call to the audience was shortened from 30min to 15min.

I had to leave prior to the end of the meeting but here are some images from the time I was there.

Full Set: http://chrissummitt.com/blog/uaregents/

Unitary Status Plan Public Forum #3

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Today was the last of 3 public forums held in order for the community to express concerns about the proposed Desegragation/Unitary Status Plan directly to the Special Master.  I think it was the most attended, at least 70 people spoke, and it ran an hour late. Only one speaker was against MAS, everyone else had beautiful words in support of the program. As usual, here are my pics.

FULL SET:  http://chrissummitt.com/blog/desegforum3

Unitary Status Plan Public Forum #3

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Today was the last of 3 public forums held in order for the community to express concerns about the proposed Desegragation/Unitary Status Plan directly to the Special Master.  I think it was the most attended, at least 70 people spoke, and it ran an h…

Unitary Status Plan Public Forum #2

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   Today was the second of 3 public forums held in order for the community to express concerns about the proposed Desegragation/Unitary Status Plan directly to the Special Master.

A proposed Unitary Status Plan to provide equal educational opportunities to African American and Latino students in Tucson Unified School District is available for public review and comment through November 28, 2012.

   The proposed plan is just that, a propsal, the community input during these 3 meetings have the potential to effect the final version of the plan.  Members from all parties involved in the desegragation case, Fisher, et al., Mendoza, et al. v. TUSD, CV 74-90 TUC DCB, as well as the special master headed a panel which listened to community input.  There was not any input from the parties, they just sat and listened.  Community input could come in person at either of the three forums or in the form of an email sent directly to special master up until Nov 28, 2012.

I wasn’t able to attend the first meeting but I made it to the one tonight and will attend tomorrow.  Here are tonight’s pictures:

FULL Set: http://chrissummitt.com/blog/desegforum2

 



More info can be found here: http://tucsonusp.com/

Tucson Stand Up

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A benefit arts festival was held at Skrappys to support migrant justice.

There were performances by:

Jasiri X, Invincible, 2Mex, Dj Dirty Verbs, Top Nax, Dj Sloepoke, Progreso with DJ Alias, Shining Soul

Visual Art Exhibit featuring:

Favianna Rodriguez, Julio Salgado, Oree Originol, Dignidad Rebelde, El Mac, Ernesto Yerena, Justseeds

Naturally, I took pictures.  Here is the FULL SET:

http://chrissummitt.com/blog/tucsonstandup/

Press Conference with Dr. Rodriguez

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University Professor Dr. Roberto Rodriguez Calls on Elected Officials to Condemn Death Threats Regarding the Mexican American Studies Program in TUSD

On Thursday, August 2nd, Dr. Roberto Rodriguez and local elected officials held a press conference regarding unprosecuted death threats made in response to community activism surrounding the Mexican American Studies program in TUSD. The press conference was held at TUSD headquarters, 1010 E. 10th street at 10 a.m.

The press conference was  called in light of the impending trial of an individual that made several threats against Dr. Rodriguez in 2011. His trial will begin next week, on August 7th.

FULL SET: http://chrissummitt.com/blog/cintlipressconf/

I need help to put this show together!

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As you may know, I am trying to put a show together with some other photographers (https://www.facebook.com/events/322767944484919/).  It will be a photographic history of the fight for ethnic studies in Tucson. We have many amazing photographs from local photographers but still need some funds for printing them for the show.

We need some support from our community to help us pay for the printing of these huge 6’x3.5’ banners priced at $73/banner. If you would like to donate to fund our photo documenting project, do it here: 

https://www.wepay.com/donations/mas-through-the-lens-of-time

 Anyone that sponsors at least one banner will receive an 8×10 print {Any fine art print!} from any photographers collection as a thank you gift!!” If you can’t fund a full banner smaller donations are also needed “we are in need of the following items: wine, beer, soda, water bottles, cheese platters, veggies, chips and salsa, small plates, small clear cups for wine. ” Please pass on and THANK YOU for making this possible!!!

For those who would like to sponsor a banner, I will give you a signed 8×10 print of anything in my collection! (I usually sell them for $60-$75).  Anything on my website or facebook page is available!

http://chrissummitt.com/#/galleries/

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.224488444244279.75902.220574284635695&type=3

We have to print by Aug 6th. Any donations are appreciated.  Please help us bring this history to the community. 

https://www.wepay.com/donations/mas-through-the-lens-of-time

Huitzilopochtli

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The art show was a great success. Lot of people came to see the artwork and many pieces were sold.  I think more than half of the 50 photos I had up got sold.  There was a huge book on display, music, face painting, food, and more.  Art is such an important part of the movement and of social change in general.  Thank you everyone who came out.

Don’t forget about the next show that I am helping put together on August 11th: http://chrissummitt.com/masartshow.jpg

FULL SET from last night:http://chrissummitt.com/blog/willtoact/

Art Show!!!

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There is a show tonight and it’s going to be a good one.  I have over 50 photos in the show and there will be many other works in different mediums from amazing artists. Come check it out!

When: 7/28/12 5-9pm

Where: Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery, 218 E. 6th Street, Tucson AZ

T.U.S.D. Board Meeting (Community Festival)

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Another Board Meeting.  Stegeman brought up his motion to unban some books.  It didn’t make sense. Just some dumb political move. Nothing happened, no books were unbanned.  

The community came out and had their voice heard. There was a beautiful sunset. We will continue fighting.  It’s only a matter of time before they fall.

FULL SET HERE:  http://chrissummitt.com/blog/boardmtg_7_24_12/

MAS through the lens of time

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I’ve been photographing the fight to save ethnic studies for a while now and so have other local photographers.  It’s been a pretty wild ride and it is not even close to over. Along the way I’ve captured some pretty powerful images and ridiculous circumstances.  I am working with some other photographers to put together a showcase of the history of this battle in photographs.  If you’re ion town, please stop by the show.  It will definitely be something to see.

When: Aug 11th 6-9pm

Where: Fluxx Studio and Gallery, 414 e. 9th street, Tucson AZ

What: A collective of local photographers have come together to create a time line of compelling images captured in one of the most important civil rights movements of our time, the struggle to save Mexican American Studies. The power of solidarity, courage and love may not always be televised, but it has been documented in photos – don’t miss this historic show! SATURDAY AUGUST 11 FLUXX GALLERY 414 E 9TH TUCSON…6-9PM…$5 donation appreciated, proceeds will go to the Raza Defense Fund.

https://www.facebook.com/events/322767944484919/

An Evening in Celebration of Mario Suarez

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Today there was a special reading from the works of Barrio El Hoyo’s literary pioneer, Mario Suarez in support of Tucson Freedom Summer with Tucson writers Mari Herreras, Ernesto Portillo, Jr., D.A. Morales, Maya Arce, and Jeff Biggers.

Beautiful words read by talented writers.  Photos below:

Full Set: http://chrissummitt.com/blog/suarezreading

More info about Mario Suarez: http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/Books/bid1562.htm

Tucson Freedom Summer Talk

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Reclaiming Ethnic Studies: Isn’t there an app for that?

Yolanda Alaniz, co-author of Viva La Raza: A History of Chicano Identity and Resistance, and librarian/archivist shared her experiences as a veteran of the Chicano movement and the lessons learned from earlier struggles to win and defend ethnic studies.

I took a few pics of the talk.

Full Set: http://chrissummitt.com/blog/reclaimingmas/

https://www.facebook.com/events/124689677673946/

UNIDOS & Freedom Summer Press Conference

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Today there was a Press Conference held in front of TUSD Board Member Mark Stegeman’s house.  The purpose was to address the recent decision by Stegeman to ‘unban’ books which he previously helped get taken out of the classroom.This is felt to be a political tactic and not sincere in the least.  Here are some photographs.

FULL SET: http://chrissummitt.com/blog/press_conf_stegeman/

Here is some more info:

On January 10th 2012, the Tucson Unified School District board voted to suspend all Mexican (MAS) classes with a 4-1 vote. A few days after the resolution was passed TUSD representatives entered the classrooms and boxed hundreds of MAS books, thus starting the BAN on Mexican American history books and renowned Chicano literature, which historically document the stories and contributions of Mexican Americans to the U.S. 

Fast-forward six months to the upcoming July 24th school board meeting. Former board President and current board member, Mark Stegeman, will be introducing a resolution to “un-ban” the MAS books he had voted to box up in February. As representatives of the movement to reinstate MAS in TUSD schools we question this move on several fronts. Why now? What does Dr. Stegeman hope to gain by this strange reversal? After two years of a relentless drive to help eliminate the MAS program from TUSD, is Stegeman now reconsidering the damage he has inflicted on TUSD students and the Mexican American community or is this an attempt to bolster his re-election campaign by telling more lies to sugar coat the truth? 

We believe Dr. Stegeman’s gesture is a poor attempt to placate what he would refer to as “restless natives”. Stegeman’s shady maneuvering to distance himself from his previous decisions and reverse such a serious issue as banning books from classrooms, calls into questions every one of the board’s votes concerning MAS. We further question whether it has really taken Dr. Stegeman six months to come to the realization that banning books is wrong or if the successful efforts of Tucson Freedom Summer are posing a threat to Dr. Stegeman and his re-election. As Tucson Freedom Summer participants survey dozens of local households, evidence of deep concerns regarding TUSD’s actions toward MAS is emerging and is being strategically documented.

Tucson Freedom Summer (a project of Save Ethnic Studies) is a national convergence of activist, artists and organizers who in addition to a month of cultural and educational events are currently launching a citywide informational canvass and survey about the state of education in Tucson. Information about events and volunteering activities can be found at Tucsonfreedomsummer.com and
on Facebook at Tucson Freedom Summer 2012.

T.U.S.D. Board Meeting

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Here we are again, another board meeting. I’ll just get right to the good stuff. There was a good showing from the community today.  Just prior to the meeting, dark storm clouds gathered and a short down pour occurred. The people outside were let very slowly into the building to find shelter from the rain. Due to the ridiculous security, this was a slow process.

Once the meeting began, there was a call to the audience, there were many great speakers in support of MAS, and at least one planted speaker from Stegeman. There was much support from activists that came in from out of town. Directly after the call to the audience, a rumble began and it wasn’t the thunder outside, it was from within. Clapping hands joined in, a beat was formed and calls from across the room began the song. The room was filled with words about Rosa Parks and despite Cuevas’ best attempt to quell the energy in the room, it went on.  Immediately, the board members got up and walked out.  All except Adelita Grijalva who remained for the song’s entirety.  As soon as the song was completed, a call from the audience, “Tucson Freedom Summer, walk out!”  And the whole room was emptied in a matter of minutes.  Chanting and inspiring words continued outside. 

Here is my documentation: 

FULL SET: http://chrissummitt.com/blog/boardmtg_7_10_12/