'Solidarity, Justice and the Border' event features scholars, activists

Border and immigration issues centered around life in Arizona will come into focus during “Solidarity, Justice and the Border” to be held April 12 at Arizona State University’s West campus. The daylong event is free and open to the public; free parking will be provided.

Activities take place in the University Center Building’s La Sala Ballroom at ASU’s West campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road in Phoenix.

The annual ASU Border Justice gathering at the West campus draws together scholars, activists, students and musicians. Among the event’s organizers are students in the master’s degree program in social justice and human rights (MASJHR) in ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, in collaboration with Concilio Estudiantil de Lideres Latinos (CELL).

“Arizona is fast becoming known nationally as ‘ground zero’ for border and immigration issues due to anti-Mexican sentiment and book banning laws,” said Martha Armendariz, an MASJHR student. “We are inviting everyone out for a town hall meeting and event to address these current happenings. The public is invited to join us for lunch and entertainment as we discuss and celebrate our victories and future collaborations.”

The day’s schedule is:

9 a.m. – Registration

9:30 a.m. – Conference opening led by MASJHR students who have conducted action research projects

9:45-10:45 a.m. – Speaker Tia Oso, Arizona organizer for the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI)

10:45-11 a.m. – Community poster session

11 a.m.-noon – Panel discussion with members of Tucson-based United Non-Discriminatory Individuals Demanding Our Studies (U.N.I.D.O.S.)

Noon-12:45 p.m. – Lunch

12:45-1 p.m. – Tucson Unified School District banned books display

1-2:30 p.m. – Keynote speaker Carlos Garcia from Puente Arizona

2:30-2:45 p.m. – Networking opportunity

2:45-4:45 p.m. – Live performance by musical group !OUTERNATIONAL!, with discussion of music as social justice

5-6 p.m. – Closing reception

Along with the MASJHR program and CELL, the day’s activities are presented by the ASU Border Justice Committee and New College Graduate Studies, in collaboration with Undergraduate Student Government.

For more information, contact Martha Armendariz at (480) 518-4129 or Alejandra Elenes at (602) 543-3315.