Stephie Taylor, a key organizer with the University of Minnesota SDS chapter said, “We are happy to have the convention in a Midwest city again. We expect young activists from all over the country to show up and talk about important issues of today like opposing U.S. wars, fighting racism and sexism, and how to bring change to the rising costs of education, student loans and access to education. This will be a convention to remember.”

The plenary sessions and workshops feature some of the most influential leaders against war and oppression in the country.

Hatem Abuddayeh will speak for the Rasmea Odeh Support Committee. He will be joined by Jenn Meeropol of the Rosenberg Fund for Children who will chair the session, “From Ferguson to Palestine: Political Repression is a Crime!”

Joe Iosbaker of the United National Antiwar Committee will speak at the anti-war plenary, “From the Belly of the Beast: Fighting Back against U.S. Wars and Imperialism.”

SDSers and other student leaders will speak on “Education Is a Right: Campus Economic Fight Backs and Achieving Access to Higher Education for Everyone.” This will detail the SDS national “Education for All” campaign that fights for immigrant student rights on campus.

There will be workshops about student activism, including “Building Struggle in Red States.” “Combatting Chauvinism,” and “Empowering People of Color through Political Struggle.”

On Oct. 13, the final day of the convention, SDS will vote on various resolutions submitted by SDS chapters speaking out on different people’s movements within the U.S. and around the world. SDS will adopt these resolutions nationally for chapters to orient their work for the coming year. Resolutions in the past included condemning U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, condemning systemic racism and repression against African-American, Chicano and Latino youth, combatting attacks on students’ rights, and opposing tuition hikes.

The convention will take place at Blegen Hall at the University of Minnesota. For more information or if you want to donate to the convention, please visit http://newsds.org or go to National Students for a Democratic Society’s Facebook page at https://facebook.com/StudentsForADemocraticSocietyNational.

#MinneapolisMN #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #EducationRights #JoeIsobaker #TuitionEquity

Stephie Taylor, a key organizer with the University of Minnesota SDS chapter said, “We are happy to have the convention in a Midwest city again. We expect young activists from all over the country to show up and talk about important issues of today like opposing U.S. wars, fighting racism and sexism, and how to bring change to the rising costs of education, student loans and access to education. This will be a convention to remember.”

The plenary sessions and workshops feature some of the most influential leaders against war and oppression in the country.

Hatem Abuddayeh will speak for the Rasmea Odeh Support Committee. He will be joined by Jenn Meeropol of the Rosenberg Fund for Children who will chair the session, “From Ferguson to Palestine: Political Repression is a Crime!”

Joe Iosbaker of the United National Antiwar Committee will speak at the anti-war plenary, “From the Belly of the Beast: Fighting Back against U.S. Wars and Imperialism.”

SDSers and other student leaders will speak on “Education Is a Right: Campus Economic Fight Backs and Achieving Access to Higher Education for Everyone.” This will detail the SDS national “Education for All” campaign that fights for immigrant student rights on campus.

There will be workshops about student activism, including “Building Struggle in Red States.” “Combatting Chauvinism,” and “Empowering People of Color through Political Struggle.”

On Oct. 13, the final day of the convention, SDS will vote on various resolutions submitted by SDS chapters speaking out on different people’s movements within the U.S. and around the world. SDS will adopt these resolutions nationally for chapters to orient their work for the coming year. Resolutions in the past included condemning U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, condemning systemic racism and repression against African-American, Chicano and Latino youth, combatting attacks on students’ rights, and opposing tuition hikes.

The convention will take place at Blegen Hall at the University of Minnesota. For more information or if you want to donate to the convention, please visit http://newsds.org or go to National Students for a Democratic Society’s Facebook page at https://facebook.com/StudentsForADemocraticSocietyNational.

#MinneapolisMN #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #EducationRights #JoeIsobaker #TuitionEquity

Over 20 students took part in the sit-in at Senate President Don Gaetz’s office and demanded to meet with him. Security guards prevented the protesters from entering the president’s office but students rallied outside instead, chanting, “What do we want? Tuition Equity! When do we want it? Now!” After 15 minutes Sen. Gaetz bowed to their pressure and met with a delegation from the group. In the meeting students asked Gaetz to guarantee that if the bill is brought up from the floor, that he would give it a fair chance to pass.

Chrisley Carpio of University of Florida SDS was part of the delegation. After the meeting she said, “Senator Gaetz told us that he would do everything in his power to prevent tuition equity from passing. What kind of sham democracy do we have in this state where a few racist politicians can obstruct the will of the people?”

The protest continued throughout the day and more students joined the sit-in. Zachary Schultz from Florida State University SDS told Fight Back! that students plan continue protesting until the end of the legislative session on May 2. He said, “There is still a chance for tuition equity to pass. We need to do everything we can to hold these politicians’ feet to fire.”

There are two ways that tuition equity can pass without going through Senator Negron’s Appropriations Committee. It can be attached to another bill or brought up from the floor by a two-thirds majority vote. In addition to the ongoing demonstration in the capitol, Students for a Democratic Society plans to hold call-ins targeting key senators as part of their national Education for All campaign. With less than 10 days remaining in the legislative session, the fight is on for tuition equity and SDS is leading the charge.

#GainesvilleFL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #TuitionEquity #SenatorJoeNegron #SenatorDonGaetz

The bill has bipartisan support and great momentum behind it. The bill passed through the Florida House of Representatives as HB 851, with a vote of 81-33. Then SB 1400 passed through both the Education and Judiciary committees with votes of 5-4 and 7-2 respectively. Governor Rick Scott supports tuition equity and is prepared to sign the bill into law. The problem now is Negron.

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) is leading a campaign, with support on every campus, to demand in-state tuition for undocumented Florida students. SDS is spearheading the national Education for All campaign, and supports the Legalization for All movement to improve the lives of Dreamers and their parents and families.

Students for a Democratic Society is organizing a call-in April 18 to Senator Jack Latvala. Please call Senator Latvala at 727-793-2797, and demand that he opts to save Senate Bill 1400 that will grant access to higher education for thousands of Florida undocumented students.

Students will also be meeting with Senator Don Gaetz, president of the senate, at the capitol on April 21 to dissuade him from attempts to block moving the bill to the Senate floor.

#TallahasseeFL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #TuitionEquity #SB1400 #SenatorJoeNegron

Tallahassee, FL – Around 50 people from Florida Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), along with community members and other allied organizations gathered on the steps of the Florida State Capitol, March 20, to demand “Education for All.” They called on the Florida legislature to vote on and pass HB851 and SB1400, bills would charge undocumented college students in-state tuition as opposed to out-of-state tuition.

Tuition equity, as it has come to be known, would grant the same tuition rate to any student in the state of Florida, regardless of his or her documented status. SDS has been fighting for the last year to bring local tuition equity policies to college campuses in Florida. Most recently, they have been advocating for bills in the state legislature that would be a step towards a fair and affordable education for every single student in the state.

The rally included a round of speeches from organizers of the Florida State University, University of South Florida and University of Florida SDS chapters. Other speakers included leaders of immigrant rights advocacy organizations, undocumented students, community members, statements from Florida university administrations, and Florida state senators and representatives.

After the speeches, protesters marched from the steps of the old Capitol building to the inside of the new Capitol building where they gathered between both chambers of the legislature. There students aligned themselves in rows and gave energetic speeches, told personal stories and chanted, as many state representatives, officials, media members and other bystanders watched.

“The reason this issue has come this far is because of the work SDS and our allies have put into struggling for tuition equity for undocumented students,” said Chrisley Carpio, an organizer with University of Florida SDS, in an impassioned speech. “We believe that every student in this country has the right to a higher education, and we won’t stop fighting until we make that a reality.”

HB851 and SB1400 have both received bipartisan support. Most recently, Governor Rick Scott has come out in favor of the bill giving qualified undocumented Florida students the ability to pay in-state tuition. His statement is the latest in a long list of supporters, including Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford, various Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate, and university administrators like University of Florida President Bernie Machen.

Despite the bipartisan support, the bills are becoming targets for political posturing, as legislators aim to make additions to the bills that would significantly water them down. Most glaringly, changes in the House bill require students to spend four consecutive years in high school to qualify for the in-state rate.

“This is just one step towards getting tuition equity for undocumented students, but it’s not enough,” said Veronica Juarez, an organizer with Tampa SDS and Raíces En Tampa. “Ultimately we will fight to have all the amendments removed because it’s not real tuition equity if there are still restrictions on the ability undocumented students have to get a higher education.”

Later in the evening after the event, HB851 passed on the House floor in a vote of 81-33. It is a huge victory, but the campaign still has a long way to go for true education equality. SDS is committed to making education accessible for every student in the U.S. and continues to work towards that goal until there is education for all.

#TallahasseeFL #Tallahassee #ImmigrantRights #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #TuitionEquity

Tallahassee, FL- On Feb. 28, 35 courageous students gathered at the Florida State University (FSU) Integration Statues. At the very statue that symbolized the supposed diversity that Florida State claims, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and a broad array of organizations – including Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Dream Defenders and the Center for Participant Education – demanded tuition equity. This policy that would ensure undocumented students could afford the human right of obtaining an education and be granted in-state tuition like the rest of the Florida population.

The rally marked the end of Education for All Week, a series of events in support of tuition equity, which included teach-ins and classes to educate the student body on this important issue. In addition, the students petitioned to put a tuition equity referendum on the Student Government Association ballot, which passed with 72.2% of student voters.

At the start of the rally, student leaders gave several impassioned speeches. Speakers included SDS co-presidents Brianna Roman-Calderon and Andrew Arachikavitz, Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights president Cassie Barragàn, Center for Participant Education public relations officer Andreina Granado and the Dream Defenders local strategist Michael Sampson.

The students marched from the Integration Statue to the university president's office to bring their demands to the administration. The students sent a representative ahead to see if the president was available for a meeting, but the administration attempted to deceive students by claiming the president was not inside. The students saw through the administration’s lies and marched into the president's office, chanting to demand tuition equity. “Education is a right! Fight, fight, fight, fight!”

Shivaani Ehsaan, Campaign Coordinator of FSU SDS, said “The energized students stormed the ivory tower of President Barron's office and demanded that he meet the people's grievances of the discriminatory policy that is FSU's – and the greater state of Florida’s – tuition rates.”

The students all crowded into the office and demanded that the president show himself. Barron finally succumbed to the students and agreed to meet their demands. He vowed to support tuition equity and allow for increased involvement for students in the process. He agreed to involve five students in the Student Affairs Committee.

Mili Chapado, Policy Chair of Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said “Student groups at other colleges and universities are gaining momentum. We should strive to work with them to push for tuition equity state-wide.”

The campaign is in full swing and is gaining increased traction. Students for a Democratic Society plans on holding administration’s feet to the fire to ensure that they fulfill their promises with continued pressure through future student actions. In addition, the students will pressure those in power in the Florida legislature, through weekly call-ins as well as a statewide SDS action on March 20 at the Capitol.

#TallahasseeFL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #immigrantRights #FloridaStateUniversity #TuitionEquity

Tallahassee, FL – On Feb. 20, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at Florida State University (FSU) held a press conference demanding “Tuition equity for undocumented students” on the school’s campus. Joining SDS was the leadership the Hispanic and Latino Student Union, Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, the Center for Participant Education, and the Dream Defenders. Florida State Senator Dwight Bullard spoke about SB 300, a bill he drafted to grant in-state tuition to undocumented students in the state of Florida.

The large group decided to hold their press conference in front of what is known on campus as the Integration Statue. It is a monument dedicated to a culture of inclusion and the promise of diversity at Florida State University, a promise administrators and lawmakers need to be reminded about.

Brianna Calderon-Roman of SDS explained, “We want a Florida which embraces different heritages and cultures and ideas, not one which creates roadblocks and rejects these things; things that we consider cornerstones of our state.”

Currently in the state of Florida, if a student or a student’s parents are undocumented, regardless of how many years they attended school in Florida, they are forced to pay the higher rates of out-of-state tuition. They currently pay between three and four times as much per semester as other state residents. This forces many bright students to go out of state or drop out until they can afford it.

Since SDS adopted their national Education-for-All campaign, the state of Florida is alive with organizing focused on securing equitable tuition for undocumented students. SDS chapters at both the University of Florida in Gainesville and the University of South Florida in Tampa are pressing forward with campaigns begun last August. Students at those colleges held meetings with their Board of Trustees demanding that their schools grant undocumented students in-state tuition.

Now, FSU has picked up the gauntlet in the fight for tuition equity. Student leaders stated their demands while standing shoulder to shoulder and announced their Education-for-All Week and other plans of action.

“We have come here to announce that the united front you see before you will be hosting a week dedicated to Education-for-All. During the upcoming week of Feb. 24 through the 28, we will teach, and learn, and vote, and rally, and take direct action to achieve our collective goals and insure that the voice of the students in the state of Florida is a resounding one,” Brianna Calderon-Roman finished to a round of applause.

#TallahasseeFL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #immigrantRights #FloridaStateUniversity #TuitionEquity

Currently many states deny undocumented high school students in-state tuition, even if they meet all other residency requirements. These institutions force students into making a difficult choice: either pay exorbitant out-of-state fees, or do not attend college at all. Chrisley Carpio, an SDS organizer at the University of Florida said, “President Obama’s DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] program created this situation. It granted temporary immunity to a portion of undocumented immigrants but failed to solve any of the problems they face, including education. Now it’s up to individual states and colleges to make their own policies.”

Federal neglect, ‘States Rights’ to discriminate

Currently in two states – Alabama and South Carolina – the legislatures went so far as to ban undocumented students from attending college altogether. In Georgia, some schools ban undocumented students, but this legislation is currently under review. Even in states with tuition equity policies, where DACA students qualify for in-state fees, they remain unable to receive financial aid like the rest of their classmates.

Only five states – California, New Mexico, Minnesota, Texas and Illinois – grant these students aid. Stephanie Taylor, from the University of Minnesota says, “We want our chapters to pick up this campaign on their campuses. Where schools don’t have tuition equity we demand that they implement it. If tuition equity already exists we demand that undocumented students receive financial aid. In the states where it’s completely illegal for undocumented students to attend college, we want those laws repealed.”

The SDS National Working Committee enthusiastically accepted the proposal on the conference call. Two chapters, at the University of South Florida and the University of Florida, began organizing campaigns during the fall 2013 semester. After hearing about the success at these schools, other chapters around the country decided to take up the issue.

Gregory Lucero, from the Revolutionary Student Union in Utah said, “The struggle for education rights and legalization remains one of the most important fronts in the struggle. I’m really excited about the new direction SDS is going nationally. If we do this well, we can strike a huge blow against racial discrimination and oppression, while growing the student movement at the same time.”

If you’re interested in joining the fight for tuition equity and financial aid for undocumented students you can visit SDS at newsds.org and like the Facebook page Education for All Campaign.

#GainesvilleFL #ImmigrantRights #SDS #Antiracism #TuitionEquity #undocumentedStudents

Phoenix, AZ – Governor Jan Brewer delivered her business-as-usual State of the State address here on Jan. 13. Outside the capitol building, a crowd of nearly 100 students and community activists protested the “State of Hate” created by Arizona Republicans. Led by Citizens for a Better Arizona, a coalition of groups rallied, including Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) of Tucson.

The demonstration countered Governor Brewer’s right-wing agenda. The people’s rally held the Governor accountable for the neglect of over 6000 uninvestigated Child Protective Services abuse cases, protested the bigoted lawsuit of Attorney General Tom Horne against in-state tuition for undocumented students at Maricopa Community College, and called for an end to Governor Brewer’s ban on access to driver’s licenses for undocumented students – the Dreamers.

Students carried signs such as “Let Dreamers learn – education is a right!” SDS of Tucson challenged Attorney General Tom Horne’s threats of lawsuits against Arizona community colleges that offer tuition equity. Currently, undocumented students who grow up in Arizona and attend high school there are required to pay out-of-state tuition. This forces many to drop out and take low-paying jobs.

Ed Tolentino explained, “Tucson SDS really prepared to be a part of this action because of our commitment to equal access to education as a human right. The struggle for tuition equity is above all a struggle for equal educational opportunity for both documented and undocumented students, who, regardless of citizenship status, are humans. We hope to take this first action in demanding tuition equity in the direction of a larger student movement in which SDS can play an important role in fighting for equality on and off campus.”

Leaders held high an “Arizona GOP hate-meter”, detailing the Republican policies and Arizona laws that target Chicanos, Mexicanos, American Indians and others for repression. Arizona Republicans passed the infamous law known as SB-1070 that forced police to racially profile people based on “reasonable suspicion”. While the courts struck down most of SB-1070, the idea that some people and not others are “suspicious of looking illegal” was upheld. There is also the racist Sheriff Arpaio and his policy of raiding undocumented families in order to meet quotas for deportation and for-profit detention centers. Republicans continue to deny driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, despite the fact it harms everyone who drives or has auto insurance. In Arizona, national oppression of Chicanos is a major part of the Republican agenda.

After speeches, protesters burned driver’s licenses in solidarity with undocumented immigrants. Other protesters blocked the entrances and exits of the capitol, before deciding to pay a visit the governor’s office at the neighboring executive office building. Police attempted to deny access to Governor Brewer’s office, so a tense standoff developed. After a sharp verbal exchange, demonstrators surged passed the police to the elevators and rode up to the executive floor. State police were preparing to arrest them on the eighth floor, but protesters cleverly refused to exit the elevators and threw their stuffed animals – representing Arizona’s neglect of children and their education – at the feet of the arresting officers. The chants of “Stop the hate!” echoed through the capitol. State police, under the careful watch of Governor Brewer’s aides, took Elmo and his other furry friends into custody.

Tolentino, an organizer of the action said, “This protest proves the power of community and campus organizing. We hope that in the coming months an awakened Arizona rises to challenge the Republicans’ vicious attacks on the justice and dignity of its people.”

Organizers are claiming a victory in the wake of their protest. Governor Brewer announced in her speech that she was moving Child Protective Services out from under the authority of Department of Economic Security and giving it a stand-alone cabinet level position. The struggle for licenses and preserving tuition equity continues.

#PhoenixAZ #PeoplesStruggles #StudentsForADemocraticSocietySDS #driversLicence #JanBrewer #Antiracism #TuitionEquity #CitizensForABetterArizona #TucsonSDS

Gainesville, FL – On Dec. 5, 30 members and allies of the Students for a Democratic Society at the University of Florida (SDS at UF) gathered in front of Emerson Alumni Hall to rally for tuition equity for undocumented students. In other words, to have in-state tuition for all students who graduate from Florida high schools, regardless of immigration documents.

This was the fall semester meeting of the University of Florida Board of Trustees. With the board in charge of tuition policy changes, gaining board support for tuition equity was paramount.This past semester, SDS at UF, CHISPAS and Gators for Tuition Equity gathered over 6000 petition signatures, 200 letters from students and letters of solidarity from 11 campus cultural organizations. Also, the UF student senate passed a resolution, co-authored by Conor Munro of SDS, in support of tuition equity.

SDS at UF won the chance to speak to the board due to the mass campaign and overwhelming positive support from the student body. The board allowed three speakers, each with five minutes, to present arguments for tuition equity to be passed at UF.

The first speaker was Candy Herrera, a member of Graduates Assistants United and a former undocumented student. Herrera shared her experience as an undocumented student aiming for higher education. She brought up how the board speaking positively on this issue would, “be a powerful gesture to people of color...and send a message that immigrants are valued and respected” at UF.

The second speaker was Lianna Guerra, from Gators for Tuition Equity, who spoke on the advantages of implementing tuition equity at the university.

Conor Munro finished the round of presentations by eloquently summarizing the student support for this campaign throughout the semester: “University of Florida has a chance to take part in history; it can either be on the side that lags behind, or it can be a beacon of progress and become the flagship university it was meant to be.”

Once the speakers finished, different board members spoke in support of tuition equity. University of Florida President, Bernie Machen, even stated that he “was proud” of the students who worked to bring this campaign to the forefront.

The Board of Trustees unanimously voted to release a statement of support, positively contributing to the campaign.

#GainesvilleFL #SDS #PeoplesStruggles #UniversityOfFlorida #UFSDS #TuitionEquity #BoardOfTrustees #UniversityOfFloridaStudentsForADemocraticSociety

Gainesville, FL — Students at the University of Florida successfully advanced their campaign of tuition equity for undocumented students. Leading student organizations joined together to pass a resolution through Student Government in favor of tuition equality.

Currently, an undocumented immigrant student who grows up in Florida must pay out-of-state tuition to take classes at the Florida institution, despite graduating from a Florida high school. Out-of-state tuition costs three times that of in-state tuition, a hefty price to pay.

University of Florida Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) members joined by members of CHISPAS, Hispanic Student Association, Asian Student Union and Black Student Union all spoke on behalf of the resolution during public debate.

Conor Munro, a lead organizer of SDS and author of the resolution, spoke persuasively to the student senators on the issue, “These students have worked just as hard as any student graduating from high school, they deserve the chance to continue to seek higher education.”

The resolution passed with an overwhelming 73-3 vote count.

With student support on their side, UF SDS now looks forward to approaching the Board of Trustees, with the power to change tuition policy and make it fair. SDS plans to mobilize for the Board meeting, demanding, “Tuition Equity for Undocumented Students!”

#GainesvilleFL #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #Capitalism #PublicSchools #UniversityOfFlorida #TuitionEquity

Gainesville, FL – On Oct. 17, student activists at the University of Florida (UF) officially launched their tuition equity campaign by having a demonstration at Tigert Hall, the University of Florida’s administration building. Around 40 students gathered in front of Tigert Hall to demand in-state tuition for undocumented students who have graduated from Florida high schools. The delegation made speeches calling for the university to implement DACA (the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals process) at UF and live up to its claim of being a flagship university and open the door to undocumented students.

Protesters held signs like, “No Gator is illegal,” and “Tuition equity for all.” UF student Conor Munro, an organizer with Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), said, “We can’t wait for the same Florida legislature who has for years tabled tuition equity bills and continually cuts funding to higher education. We must be the example to the legislature by demanding and implementing tuition equity at the UF which our board of trustees can do as seen with FIU this past summer. ”

At the event chants rang out of “¡El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido!” and “What do we want? Tuition Equity! When do we want it? Now!” Student after student, including undocumented students, gave testimony on why implementing tuition equity at the university was the just thing to do.

Filipino student Chrisley Carpio, an organizer with SDS, said, “Undocumented students are told in high school that they can work hard and earn their way up, but that hope is shut down as soon as they graduate. The university can’t posit itself as accepting the brightest minds when a community of people are being excluded from its doors because of exorbitant out of state fees.”

Students for a Democratic Society organized the campaign in response to the growing demand from the undocumented community on campus and the recent implementation of DACA by Florida International University. The event had support from an host of organizations like CHISPAS (an immigrants rights group), Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures, Hispanic Students Association, Students for Justice in Palestine and the Graduate Assistants United.

After the round of speeches concluded, the administration sent their spokesperson Jeanna Mastrodicasa, who agreed to student’s demands of a meeting concerning tuition equity for undocumented students. University of Florida SDS plans on hosting events in the future with the goal of getting their board of trustees to put tuition equity on the agenda and implement it at the university.

#GainesvilleFL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #UniversityOfFlorida #UFSDS #TuitionEquity #NEWSDS