SWOPblogger

Contact: Monica Córdova OR Rodrigo Rodríguez 247-8832

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, August 22, 2006

Mayor Marty Chavez once again turns his back on young people hoping to make change in Albuquerque; Young people forge ahead.

For the past three months, local youth worked to plan an event called “Rock Out with your Cause Out,” intended to educate youth on how to live healthier and more informed lives by using community resources; as well as entertain local youth and have a safe place for young artists to express themselves. The mayor’s office denied the young people’s request to use Civic Plaza.

Organizers did not receive word that the city had denied their permit until Thursday August 24, 2006, just days before the event. The city has since insinuated the request was in part because of an objection to content of the event.

"It is unfortunate and dangerous to tell our young community leaders that we really can't make a public space available for them to exercise their constitutional rights of assembly and free speech. All Americans are equal, but apparently in Albuquerque some are more equal than others,” says State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino.

The youth who worked towards this event were ready and able to meet all requirements of the City. Craig Drury a student in the paramedics program at Central New Mexico Community College points out, “City facilities aren’t open and accessible to youth, we followed all the rules and went through all of the proper procedures and were denied at the last minute.”

“We want to organize youth to make a stronger Albuquerque, we only ask for support of our culture and respect of our art,” said youth organizer Rodrigo Rodriguez.

The event also showcased talented local youth performing music, art and dance in a positive and safe environment. “We see this as age discrimination, the city refuses to provide positive outlets for young people but they won’t let us do it for ourselves either,” said Julian Moya English major at the University of New Mexico. The youth believe that instances such as this are what keep young people from becoming engaged in their communities.

SouthWest Organizing Project and other organizations that were in collaboration during the planning of Rock Out will be holding a peaceful demonstration Saturday August 26, 2006 at 12pm . There will be plenty of great photo ops and young spokespeople.