Student Fast for Immigration Reform

July 2-9, 2007
Santa Ana, Pasadena, Bakersfield, San Jose, San Francisco.

*For daily blog updates, videos and pictures from the Student Fast for Immigration Reform, click here .
*To send a letter to California congressional representatives in support of the fast, click here.
*Scroll down to access Media Advisories and Press Releases for the fast.

Final Updates from the Student Fast for Immigration Reform
BREAKING THE FAST!

Several supporters came to City Hall in San Francisco, including folks from CHIRLA, neighboring non-profit CARECEN, and a representative for Congressman Mike Honda to join the fasters in their first meal after 180 hours without food. After a brief and engaging program where fasters emotionally spoke about their dreams for legalization, a small meal of bread, soup, and crackers was shared. The excited students were eager for a second helping but knew it was best to ease back into eating food slowly.

First Supper!

The Student Fast was marked by young people across the state coming together to mobilize for Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act. The key goals of the Fast were met:

Congressman Adam Schiff officially co-sponsored the DREAM Act.
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren expressed her support by meeting with the fasters personally
A representative from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s office read a statement of support for the DREAM Act
The city of San Francisco is passing a resolution in support of the Fasters and the DREAM Act. (Click here for the full text of the resolution.)
The city of Santa Ana is passing a resolution in support of the DREAM Act.

It was a great feeling to put food in my mouth. However the hunger is still there because we’re hungry for justice, we’re hungry for the DREAM Act, we’re hungry for immigration reform. We will continue to push for comprehensive reform and Justice. Democracy starts at home – not overseas.
Mario Escobar, UCLA graduate , Student Faster, Los Angeles Delegation

The truth of our existence has been laid out for the world to see; the pains of our trials, the toil of our flesh, the passions of our lives, and the words of our hearts. It is now up to America to show it’s true beauty by upholding its founding convictions and seeing its reflection in the eyes of the world and in the eyes of the children of this land.
- Johnathen Duran, Riverside City College, Student Faster, Los Angeles Delegation.

THANK YOU!
A million thanks to all involved in the student statewide FAST for immigration reform and the Dream Act! What a success!

Thank you to the Organizing Teams of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Bakersfield, Santa Ana, Orange County, Berkeley, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Davis, Riverside, and San Bernadino. Excellent work in transporting your teams to various sites, making contacts between individual students and the press, taking photographs, reporting updates, and the countless other logistical matters you oversaw during the week. Well done!

Thank you to the filmmakers and webmasters for bringing the FAST to all of our homes and workplaces through your on-line blogging and updates, press postings, and engaging short videos.

Thank you to the press and media for your expedient reporting and bringing attention to the dedicated fasters.

Thank you to all of you - YouTubers, MySpacers, and Action Alert subscribers - who sent letters to Congress in support of the fasters. You generated over 1200 letters!

Thank you to all of the congressional leaders who met with and supported the Fasters. Your encouragement, faith, and support fuels the Immigration Reform Movement and meant a great deal personally to the fasters.

And thank you to the fasters from throughout the state of California for your discipline, strength, and courage. You have inspired us all.

The fast received much attention in the press. Below is a list of all of the articles we've seen:

UC Berkley Chancellor in favor of DREAM Act!
Op-Ed from the LA Times

Undocumented students deserve aid too
College is out of reach financially, or at least a big stretch, for the children of illegals.
By Robert J. Birgeneau, ROBERT J. BIRGENEAU is the chancellor of UC Berkeley.
July 7, 2007

THE UTTER collapse of immigration reform in Congress was particularly devastating to one group: undocumented students. It leaves those who have excelled academically in our high schools, but who are not legal residents, ineligible for financial aid. Such a barrier means our students, through no fault of their own, have no path to success or citizenship.

(Read the whole article here.)

Updates from the Fasters, Day 8 -- End of Fast!
San Francisco, 7/9/07

We will be breaking fast today at noon in a ceremony highlighting the emotional and physical sacrifices that we have made in order to achieve justice for their families. We will also report on responses from Congress, as well as share our own stories and reasons for participating in the fast. Speakers include religious leaders, fasters, and representatives from congressional offices. Join us at:

Civic Center Plaza

Check out this great video from Day 4!

Updates from the Fasters, Day 7
San Francisco, 7/8/07
Today, students held a mock graduation – inviting folks walking by to attend the graduation of undocumented students. This action reinforces the need for the Dream Act, as students graduating with college degrees ask, "What next?"

In the evening students visited the Pier in San Francisco to get to know the city.

Faster Profile: Norma D.
School: Van Nuys High Scool, graduate
Why I am fasting:
I am a high school graduate from the San Fernando Valley. I am fasting to support my community in this fight for justice. Fortunately, I got my papers about a month ago, but I still know what it feels like to be undocumented, so I am fasting to support the cause!

Updates from the Fasters, Day 6
San Francisco, 7/7/07

If you are in the area, please join us at the

Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco

anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Come out and show your support!

You can also add us as your MySpace friend! Check out www.myspace.com/chirla.

Our message is getting out there! The fasters have already garnered media attention from the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, MSNBC affiliate KGET, Radio Campesina 92.5 FM, KPFK 90.7 FM, the Chinese Daily News, La Opinion, the San Jose Mercury News, KSCI 18, KMEX 34, Singtao Daily, the China Press, KERO 23, KRCA 62, KAZA 54, KTTZV 11, FOX News, Hoy Newspapers, Metro Networks, Mexico's El Universal, and many more!

Unfortunately, not all of the attention is positive. One national commentator has made some very hateful remarks about the fasters. Still, we will not let hatefulness and ignorance keep us from achieving our goals - keeping families together and giving hope to millions of people who call the United States their home!

Updates from the Fasters, Day 5
San Francisco, 7/6/07

I feel empty but full of hope; weak but strong to continue asking for dignity and respect. My mouth feels dry. My stomach hurts, but I must continue until our voices are heard. --Mario Escobar, UCLA grad, 100 hours

Student fasters have now gone longer than 100 hours without food. Though their health is deteriorating, the participants are courageously holding on to the hope that Congressional leaders will move to fix our broken immigration system. For the next two days the students will be staying close to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's office. Today they met with a representative of the Speaker's, who delivered Rep. Pelosi's support for student legalization. If you are in the area, please go out and encourage the fasters over the weekend. They will be on-site daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Civic Center Plaza

Faster Profile: Berenice B.
Age: 15
School: Woodrow Wilson High School
Why I am fasting:
I was born in Michoacan, Mexico and came to the United States when I was two years old. I am fasting because I want the representatives in the House to open their eyes to the many obstacles undocumented students and their parents have to face. I am fasting because I do not want the House to commit the same mistake as the Senate did. I want them to understand that even though our hunger for food is bad, our hunger for justice is worse. My dream is to become a lawyer; with the DREAM Act, the House of Representatives has a chance to help me accomplish my dream.

Updates from the Fasters, Day 4
San Jose and San Francisco, 07/05/07
While students from all over California have been caravaning toward San Francisco, a core group has maintained a fast there for four days. The fasters will unite there today! Here is a video from their camp outside of city hall.

Faster Profile: Sergio D.
School: Belmont High School, graduate
Why I am fasting:
I am doing the week-long fast because I support myself, my family and the thousands--even millions--of undocumented students who want to pursue a higher education. I also support immigration reform that is just for everyone. I am sacrificing my body because I want the people in power to listen to us.

DAY 4 - July 5th
San Jose and San Francisco, 7/5/07

Join us in San Jose on our week-long fast as we urge Chair of the Immigration Subcommittee Zoe Lofgren to be a leader in the fight for immigration reform and the DREAM Act.

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren's District Office
635 N. First Street, Suite B
San Jose, CA 95112

9:00 a.m.: Blessing of the Fasters
12:00 p.m.: Prayer outside of Rep. Lofgren's office - *Rep. Lofgren will address the Fasters!*
2:00 p.m.: Fasters leave for San Francisco

For more information about San Jose events contact Cesar @ (408) 464-3016.

Fasters Arrive in San Francisco - Civic Center Plaza (in front of City Hall)

2:00 p.m.: Rally at Senator Dianne Feinstein's Office
3:00 p.m.: March to Federal Building
4:00 p.m.: Press Conference at City Hall - Unification of Statewide Fasters!
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.: Cultural and Art Performances - Semilla & Francisco Herrera
8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.: Candlelight Vigil

For more information about San Francisco events contact Jose @ (760) 960-6209.

Updates from the Fasters: Day 3
Bakersfield, 7/4/07

Last night the fasters were generously welcomed by noted civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, who opened her home to them and shared her experience with non-violent protests such as fasting.

Fasters and supporters receive encouragement from Dolores Huerta

This morning before leaving for Heritage Park, the fasters received words of encouragement from Ms. Huerta and a medical check up from a doctor and a nurse from the Huerta family. We want to express our gratitude to the Huerta family for their generosity and leadership!

Here is a short film about the fast. Please click through to rate it on YouTube!

Thanks to Frank for putting this together.

DAY 3- July 4th
Join us for our third stop in our week-long fast in Bakersfield as we celebrate the struggle for the dream of Independence on the 4th of July.

Heritage Park
2320 Mt. Vernon
Bakersfield, CA 93306

10:00 a.m.: Fast Site set up
12:00 p.m.: Statewide Moment of Silence for the millions of dreams killed due to the lack of passage of immigration reform.
2:00 p.m.: Guest Speaker, Dolores Huerta
3:00-6:00 p.m. Community Activities

For more information about day three, call Paola @ (661) 378-7290.

Updates from the Fasters: Day 2
Pasadena, 7/3/07

After nearly 40 hours of fasting, the students are tired and hungry, but their resolve remains strong. This morning they met with a representative from the Hon. Adam Schiff's office, who told them the great news that Rep. Schiff has signed on as a co-sponsor for the DREAM Act!
At noon, they were joined by community leaders and allies for a sidewalk march.

The march ended with a press conference, in which they thanked Rep. Schiff for his support and asked him to fight for reform for their parents as well. This afternoon they were joined by Danza Azteca, who came out to Memorial Park in a show of solidarity with the fasters. The mood was upbeat as they packed up to begin their caravan to the next stop, Bakersfield.

Faster Profile: Cynthia C.

Age: 17
School: Fairfax High School, graduate
Why I am fasting:
I came to this country 15 years ago. I've grown up in Los Angeles with my two older sisters. I have decided to fast for this whole week because I want to show my strong support for the DREAM Act. It has been too long and our dreams cannot wait any longer!

Updates from the Fasters: Day 1
Statewide Fast for Immigration Reform: Update 7/2/07
The sun sets on the first day of the fast:

At the end of the first day, there are two delegations reporting from the field: Bakersfield and Santa Ana.

Bakersfield Delegation
Carlos Gomez, Bakersfield College; Paul Fernandez, Bakersfield College; Joanna Parra, Bakersfield College; Chris Garza, Bakersfield College; Adelina Rangel, Cal-State Bakersfield.

"At 5:00 a.m. we debated with Jim Lopez, state chairman for the California Republican National Hispanic Assembly, followed by an interview at 1:00 with MSNBC affiliate KGET, and are looking forward to more interviews at 3:30 p.m. and at 4:00 p.m. Tomorrow we are VERY excited to be interviewed live on Radio Campesina 92.5 FM at 4:00 pm and have the same interview play again on 103.9 FM "Play" station in Bakersfield. This is an historical event that that's going to empower people to take action and we hope others will join us in this endeavor to further educate the nation. Brothers and Sisters fasting, hang in there! We're with you in spirit!" - Carlos Gomez, Bakersfield College

"The word is getting around the community. We're doing something really positive. I'm normally used to eating every three hours - 5 meals a day, which means I should be on my 3rd meal by now...But I feel good about this, especially that we are doing this all together." - Paula Fernandez, Cal-State Bakersfield

Santa Ana Delegation:

"Early in the morning we received a blessing at St. Boniface Church. By ten in the morning we were at Congresswoman's Loretta Sanchez' office. A delegation went into the office. The staff was not especially welcoming but ultimately allowed three students from Orange County to meet with the District representative, Raul Luna. Raul Luna was very aggressive with the fasters, threatening to call the police, stating that he did not appreciate the students' approach. He also said that Congresswoman Sanchez would unequivocally NOT support the DREAM Act as she felt it was exclusive to students and she cares much more about immigration reform. None of Sanchez' staff came out to greet the fasters. Later we marched from one to two in downtown Santa Ana. About sixty students marched, mostly dressed in caps and gowns. Several media outlets came out to report on the event, including the LA Times, CNN en Español, Channels 54, 62, and Fox 11, as well as print reporters from the LA Times, Hoy, and Mexico City's most famous newspaper - El Universal. The fasters are pretty tired; they're sitting and sleeping under two canopies at this moment, but the mood is upbeat. SEIU from the City of Orange as well as other Orange County organizations came out to show support. There is a lot of singing and live drumming and guitar playing, everyone supporting one another." - Horacio Arroyo, Santa Monica College

"There is a lot of energy. When your heart is into something you really want, your body can keep going. Our hunger for food is bad, but our hunger for justice is worse."
-Berenice Bautista, Woodrow Wilson High, 15 years old

DAY 1- July 2, 2007

Join us in as we launch our Fasting Caravan for the entire week and take the voice of immigrant youth and their allies to Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez.

Program:
8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m.: Mass at St. Boniface Church, 120 N. Janss Street, Anaheim
10:00 a.m. until 11:30 am: Delegation to Rep. Sanchez's Office, 12397 Lewis Street, Garden Grove
12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m: Rally at Sasser Park, Santa Ana, Santa Ana
6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.: Vigil and Entertainment at Sasser Park, Santa Ana
9:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.: Overnight Camp at Sasser Park, Santa Ana (Sasser Park located on Ross between 4th and 5th Streets, in Santa Ana)

Students will caravan from Santa Ana to San Francisco. Day 2 – Pasadena.

Check back here for updates and photos of today's action!

Attachment	Size
Media Advisory 070207 - Student Fast DAY 1.pdf	83.94 KB
Media Advisory - Overview - Student Fast for CIR.pdf	91.72 KB
Advisory 070307 - Student Fast DAY 2 Pasadena & DAY 1 Update.pdf	92.34 KB
Press Release 070307 - Student Fast for IR Day 2.pdf	125.74 KB
Media Advisory 070207 - Student Fast DAY 2 San Francisco.pdf	82.73 KB
Media Advisory 070407 - Student Fast DAY 3 Bakersfield and DAY 2 Update.pdf	227.33 KB
Media Advisory 070507 - Student Fast DAY 4 SJ-SF.pdf	85.83 KB
Media Advisory 070607 - Student Fast DAY 5-7 SF.pdf	84.03 KB
Media Advisory 070907 - Student Fast DAY 8 - End of Fast.pdf	86.73 KB
Press Release 070907 - Student Fast for IR Day 8.pdf	129.01 KB
SF Resolution - Student Fast.pdf	7.11 KB

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