The Coalition for Immigration, Race and Social Justice is sponsoring a summit Saturday to focus on understanding and educating students on immigration issues.
Christopher Ramirez, the project assistant for the Office of Equity and Inclusion, said a variety of people are affected by issues that will be covered at the Back2School Summit, even if they don’t realize it.
“Immigration, race and social justice impacts all of us. These issues are about education, the environment, healthcare, jobs and racial profiling to name just a few and affect students, parents, families and everyone in the community,” he said. “We’re working to include other communities that may not be thinking about immigration issues, like students from Black Student Unions and Gay-Straight Alliances who can be allies and also organize around immigration, race and social justice issues.”
The Summit, which will be held in the SUB and in Mesa Vista Hall courtyard, will include a variety of community and University-based groups that focus on creating equal rights for all people.
Adriana Ontiveros, the Community Organizer for El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos, said the summit helps students use tools that they may not otherwise be aware of.
“I think the summit is a great opportunity for the students to learn new leadership skills, create new networks and meet cool and exciting people,” she said. “It’s important to the community in general because we all have an immigrant history and we all have a common ground.”
The summit will have workshops in Spanish and English that will teach students how to make a video blog, organize student clubs and help students become more successful in school. Parents are also encouraged to attend.
“We have progressive laws in New Mexico because our communities have worked together to get these laws passed, and we must keep them,” Ramirez said.
