Immigration rights, the two American wars and current U.S. economic policies were discussed by student and community groups. What made the event unique was the blending of student and community groups under one roof to discuss pertinent issues. The groups are uniting to bring about necessary change.
Movimiento Cultural Latino Americano, the Sociology Club, The International Socialist Organization, Students Against War, Iraq Veterans Against the War, The March 10th Committee, and the Illinois Socialist Workers Campaign came together November 4, 2008 at 6:30 pm in the Golden Eagles room in the Student Union at Northeastern Illinois University. The event moderator was Brett Stockdill, a Sociology teacher at Northeastern Illinois University. Immigration right’s was the main focus topic of the speakers.
Jorge Ortiz with the student group Movimiento Cultural Latino Americano, stated “US investors are owners of Mexican Banks and military and economic policies of America are causing the current wave of immigration.” Also, according to Ortiz, immigrants primarily “are looking for good paying jobs.” The current American wars were discussed next.
Cassandra Cantu represented the I.V.A.W., Iraq Veterans Against the War, a student and community group. Cantu mentioned how she was given the task of winning “the hearts and minds” of the Afghanistan citizens where she was stationed as a soldier in the U.S. military. Also, she worked with an Afghani women’s center and mentioned how the women’s center was “denied $300 for improvements to their equipment despite the billions of dollars that are spent on the war.” She explained that this was one of the events that changed her opinion about the war. Cantu also stated that “not all of the American soldiers desire to participate in the war, which contradicts recent media statements.” The connection between all of the speakers’ topics was mentioned next.
Brigitte Broderick with the International Socialist Organization mentioned how “reform to those in power presently means that your life will become worse, but reform is intended to be a good thing.” Broderick pointed out how US citizens’ “hope that there can be societal change, represented in the overwhelming support for Barack Obama’s “change” platform, is a good thing in itself.” Broderick also mentioned some of the political similarities of Obama and McCain. Broderick also reinforced the idea that “the two wars, housing, healthcare availability and immigration rights are issues that go together.”
Chris Poulos spoke on behalf of Students Against War, a campus group. Poulos stated: “during the 1970’s the trend towards deregulation began and has continued until today.” Chris also mentioned that “the military intervention in Afghanistan won’t help the situation there.” The subject of immigration was revisited next.
Jorge Mujica with the March 10th Movement, while discussing immigration, stated “immigration is about moving in an effort to have a better life, and it’s a very basic concept to want to move to have a better life.” Mujica mentioned that a big problem with immigration is due to “imaginary lines.” He explained that the land really has no boundaries. He discussed the role that race plays in the current immigration issue and how race is a factor in the desire to prevent Mexican citizen’s from entering America. Race is a factor because America historically had no problems accepting immigrants from Europe, but has a problem accepting Hispanic/ Latino(a) immigrants. He advocated “a period of 100 days of activity by group members that want change, after the new president takes office, beginning January 20, 2009 and ending May 1, 2009” in an effort to bring about change. A student audience member, Carmela Garcia made it clear that change is necessary.
After the speakers presented, the floor was opened for questions and comments. Carmela Garcia described her challenges as a student who moved to America by mentioning “the difficulties that come from not being able to obtain a decent paying job because of the lack of a driver’s license or social security card.” She also stressed “the importance of not being afraid to discuss the current social and political issues.”
John Hawkins with the Socialist Workers Campaign eloquently spoke once the floor was opened and offered solutions to the issues. John Hawkins is the Socialist Workers Campaign candidate who’s running for Congress in the first congressional district. He believes in “the need to protect workers on a daily basis and the involvement in the struggle of young people against war” and “the struggle of women against sex discrimination.” John Hawkins advocates forming a government of workers and farmers that will “take care of the interest of working people and farmers and the broad majority of human beings on the planet.” He also believes in “the nationalization of industries and placing industries under the control of the workers.”
By the conclusion of the event the interconnectedness of the discussion topics was apparent. The suffering of poor people has causes, including wars and unfair economic policies. As Broderick stated, “the two wars, housing, healthcare availability and immigration rights are issues that go together.” Campus and community groups united to bring about change are more powerful than a single group or organization advocating for change.