Beginning Monday, October 8, 2007 through Friday, October 12, 2007, members of the LULAC Law Students Chapter will exercise our rights to freedom of speech and assembly by conducting a peaceful demonstration in the form of an on-campus hunger fast for five days to bring awareness to immigrant issues. As symbolic speech, we will set up tents for overnight stay next to the law school.
Project Purpose: We will educate the community about immigration issues and human rights. We will distribute literature and hope to spread a message of tolerance and respect for humanity. This project will occur during Latino Heritage Month as we honor the contributions of Latinos to society.
9 comments:
I understand that Immigration issues are obviously important and far be it for me to criticize the tactics of activists; however, a hunger strike for any amount of time is a long way to go with no specific demand.
The tradition of the hunger strike as a means of protest and a tactic is long and storied. But it is an ace in the hole, a last resort, not an awareness or consciousness raising effort. A sit-in, a picket line, a demonstration, a march, a rally--all of these are examples of consciousness raising efforts that effectively bring your issue into the spotlight. But to go "all-in," so to speak, with no demand or "ask" ultimately leaves you empty handed.
Again, it is not my intention to squelch or discourage any sort of activism. But keep in mind there are levels of demonstration and you're jumping to level 5 without going through levels 1-4. Particularly in light of events in Jena, La and Palmdale, Ca. Issues of race are obviously important, and we should be showing solidarity with these movements when they happen, rather than trying to take the spotlight from them when they happen.
Have a hunger strike to demand Justice in Jena, and table the ill-defined and amorphous "immigration issues" until such a time that it will have an effect.
The mistreatment and disregard for a human life, as shown everyday to immigrants who sacrifice so much to be here in this country, knows neither a level of demonstration nor an ounce of humanity.
As morale declines with the passage of time, perhaps this hunger strike is but one of a few methods left to promote awareness of the human rights, respect, and tolerance that should be shown to each human being who wishes to start a new life in this great country which we live in.
You label the immigration issue as being "ill defined." Your impression that the immigration issue is loosely defined with no solid direction is without merit. How much clearer can it be that these activists in the hunger strike protest demand equality and respect that is endowed upon all beings of the human race?
As for taking the spotlight from an incident that was blown out of proportion because of some mistake from the judicial system cannot even be compared to the bigger picture that human beings are being exploited and treated as if they come from another world beyond the comprehension of the narrow-minded individuals who feel the race card should be the at the forefront of the problems that plague this country today.
Ghandi staged hunger strikes to demand self-determination. Cesar Chavez staged hunger strikes to demand negotiation and settlements. You are staging a hunger strike to demand equality and respect.
Those are poorly defined intangibles. What I perceive to be equality and respect are not necessarily the same things that each of you would see as equality and respect.
I simply hope that you reflect on your goal for this hunger strike. Is there an actual point at which you would say this was a successful hunger strike or is it self-indulgent? Because it seems condescending to say, we the privileged elite at a law school are going to refuse food to tell people about the plight others.
Again, I'm not critical of the passion or the activism, but ask that you delve into this further. Latino law students are still law students, and that comes with significant privilege.
Further, by minimizing the institutional racism evident across the country by saying what happened in Jena is an "incident blown out of proportion" is incredibly disrespectful to those who are continually oppressed by such an unjust system. For you to not see how the Jena 6 and immigration issues are symptoms of the same larger problem is obtuse at best.
But I guess, we're ultimately all on the same side and it's the infighting that makes the opposition's job easy for them.
The LULAC Law Students Chapter appreciates the dialogue that has been sparked in the community. Please continue to voice your opinion.
This is a beautiful action that you all are taking to help the oppressed and the abused brothers and sisters that many want to hurt today. May the Lord be with all of you, because this is truly an act of the Army of Our Lord, and being done the way it should be for the most important reason in the world. Unfortunately one that a lot of people have forgotten about. There is no greater cause to show ones love for another brethren, per the words of our Lord himself, than for one brother to give of himself or herself (and risking their lives doing it) for one another. God bless you children of God. May he be with you throughout your ordeal, and help you in completing your mission safely, for it is one of his without a doubt. I'm sure that your sacrifices will wake up many, as most have forgotten how to love one another in true Godly fashion. God Bless you all, and we will be praying for you.
Miguel Torres, Lubbock Texas.
In reference to anonymous blog 2:
You speak of a need for unity among the races in fighting issues important to all, yet in the same paragraph you rip apart that possibility. Instead of supporting the efforts of these students to do something right, something just within the community, you demean their cause, and relegate them to self-indulgent, privileged persons, condescending at best.
Why? Is it because these students have an agenda different than yours? Is it less obtuse to say that one particular incident of injustice calls for attention more than another, or that these students should refrain from fighting for a cause less important than one you believe in?
It is truly unfortunate that your intelligence is wasted on bringing down the hopes and goals of others. In any fight for injustice, who are we, if not all?
or rather, in any fight against injustice, who are we, if not all?
Which point of law are you arguing as unjust? In fact your arguments are moot, as current law reflects the will of the people, and is consonant with our Constitution.
You sound more like social workers than law students, and maybe you should be.
I really appreciate what you guys are doing - giving up something very important, food (which is almost too important to the American society), to raise awareness of a crucial issue that many people don't even think about. Immigration is so important, and I think that more people need to be informed on what really goes on. I wish I could be there to participate. God bless
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