Border Justice Series returns, performs SB 1070

March 15, 2011

A theatrical performance, art exhibit, roundtables, panels and a variety of perspectives on immigration and migrant rights are all part of the 8th annual Border Justice Series at Arizona State University’s West campus, March 30-April 1. The Series, featuring the 2011 theme “Networks, Justice and the Border,” is presented by the social justice and human rights graduate degree program (MASJHR) in ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences and is free to the community.<separator></separator>The three-day event has become a signature offering from MASJHR, its students and faculty. This year’s schedule offers new additions, including a presentation of “Performing SB 1070,” a collection of 12 short works exploring themes surrounding Arizona Senate Bill 1070, Arizona’s controversial illegal immigration law. New Carpa Theater Company, founded by award-winning Phoenix playwright James Garcia, will produce the 5- to 10-minute plays, which were chosen from 70 submissions by an array of playwrights in Arizona and at least 12 states across the country. All are centered on themes related to immigration. The performances take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, in La Sala A and B in the University Center Building (UCB).<separator></separator>“This year we chose to approach the event by putting a more explicit emphasis on what has always been crucial for this Border Justice Series: teaching and learning about the social realities of border communities,” said Michael Stancliff, an assistant professor in the New College Division of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies and the faculty advisor for this year’s event. “Our focus on ‘networks’ acknowledges that justice work happens along paths of activity and organization that are dynamically at work in Arizona and around the world. Because we want the event to be generative of networks, we have planned events that maximize opportunities for dialogue. This event always generates audiences with common interests and concerns.”<separator></separator>The event kicks off at 6 p.m., March 30, when New College Associate Professor Patricia Clark presents an art installation titled PRO•file: How To Win A Free Trip To Latin America that, in form, pays homage to the Chicano and Latino Protest posters of the 60’s and 70’s along with contemporary handbooks created to inform those who attempt to cross into the United States. Clark’s installation is a satirical response to current immigration policies in Arizona and across the United States. The installation will be featured in ArtSpace West and in the Faculty Lounge, both on the second floor of UCB.<separator></separator>Cristina Sanidad, an MASHJR student who will receive her master’s in May 2011, serves on the event coordinating committee and will also participate on the graduate research panel on immigration and border issues at 9 a.m., March 31, in La Sala C. She likes this year’s focus on networks, because it provides an opportunity for students, local non-profit organizations, faith-based institutions and coalitions committed to border and immigration issues to come together and share ideas.<separator></separator>“This is a new lens through which we can analyze and discuss immigration and border issues,” said Sanidad, adding, “In planning the event, we recognized the numerous efforts of individuals, organizations and coalitions operating on both sides and across the U.S.-Mexico border, so to honor their commitment and work, we have chosen to focus our discussion on collaborative efforts that address border and immigration issues.”<separator></separator>In addition to the March 31 graduate research panel, a roundtable featuring undergraduate students, including Campus Republicans, Campus Democrats, and the West campus chapter of No More Deaths/No Mas Muertes, will discuss Arizona immigration law and the Dream Act.<separator></separator>Friday events include an opening prayer by tribal representatives of the Tohono O’dham Perspectives on Immigration and Border Issues at 10 a.m. on the Fletcher Lawn, followed at 10:30 a.m. in La Sala C by a roundtable discussion on border issues with Tohono O’odham Solidarity Across Borders.<separator></separator>“We’re particularly excited this year to have Tohono O’odham Solidarity Across Borders sharing indigenous perspectives on border and immigration issues, which have such an impact on their community,” said Stancliff, who joined the ASU faculty in 2004. “Like all of the presentations and discussions we have scheduled, these young leaders will provide important insights and information about border issues and immigration that aren’t available through the mainstream media; Border Justice Series events will help our students and community understand policy on the ground of their own local communities.”<separator></separator>“I like the networking component in this year’s Border Justice Series, because it allows participants to not only listen and learn from the panel discussions and roundtables on contemporary border issues, but also concludes with an opportunity to engage in the issues,” said Nic de la Fuente, who received his master’s from the MASJHR program in December and has worked with the student event committee in its community outreach efforts. “Not only are we asking participants to critically engage in conversation, we are asking them to get involved. This year’s event is a call to action.”<separator></separator>“This is a great teaching event, both in terms of the content and the lesson of participants’ ability to disagree with civility and respect,” said Stancliff. “People should know that ASU is a leader in addressing real issues. The Border Justice Series event is an excellent opportunity to learn about important issues and to participate in serious conversations.<separator></separator>For more information on this year’s events, contact Michael Stancliff at <a href="mailto:michael.stancliff@asu.edu">michael.stancliff@asu.edu</a>.<se… current event schedule is below.<separator></separator>March 30:<separator></separator>6 p.m. – Opening Reception featuring PRO•file: How To Win A Free Trip To Latin America, ArtSpace West and Faculty Lounge, Second Floor, UCB<separator></separator>7 p.m. –Theatre: “Performing SB 1070,” La Sala A and B, UCB   March 31:<separator></separator>9-10:30 a.m. – ASU Graduate Student Research Panel: Immigration and Border Issues, La Sala C, UCB<separator></separator>10:45 a.m. – Shuttle departs West campus for State Capitol Building for presentation of “Performing SB 1070”<separator></separator>3-4 p.m. – ASU Undergraduate Student Roundtable: Arizona Immigration Law/Dream Act, La Sala C, UCB<separator></separator>5-7 p.m. – New College “ThinK” Series Film and Conversation – “Crossing Arizona,” Kiva Lecture Hall<separator></separator>April 1<separator></separator>10 a.m. – Opening Prayer, Tohono O’odham Perspectives on Immigration and Border Issues, North end, Fletcher Lawn<separator></separator>10:30-12 p.m. – Tohono O’odham Solidarity Across Borders Roundtable: Border Issues, La Sala C, UCB<separator></separator>1-2:30 p.m. – Local Faith Leaders Roundtable: Faith Networks, Justice and the Border, La Sala C, UCB<separator></separator>2:45-4:15 p.m. – Intersection of Queer and Immigration Issues: A Conversation with Third Space, La Sala C, UCB<separator></separator> <separator></separator>ASU’s West campus is located at 4701 W. Thunderbird Road in Phoenix. Visitor parking is $2/hour.

Humanities New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences