Thursday, August 07, 2008
SWOP homepagePress Release: Youth Demand Alternative to the Military
For Immediate Release: Press Advisory –August 9, 2008
Contact: Monica Cordova, SouthWest Organizing Project, 505-385-6590
Albuquerque, NM- On Saturday August 9, 2008 at 2:00pm young people in Albuquerque will demonstrate at the Coronado Mall against the war and military recruitment on high school campuses.
Military recruiters currently have enormous access to students on high school campuses due to requirements in the federal No Child Left Behind Act. SWOP received permission in 2007 from the APS School Board as well as acting Superintendent Linda Sink to enter high school campuses to distribute educational material providing alternatives to military service. Since that time, principals and activities coordinators have blocked our efforts, either by being unavailable or simply refusing to allow our information about the military to be handed out.
“The red tape and bureaucracy we have endured the last year and a half has been ridiculous. It’s imperative that young people have the information they need in order to make informed decision about their future,” states Emma Sandoval, SWOP youth intern.
With the number of US soldiers deaths reaching 4,134, these are life or death decisions. The overwhelming majority of students targeted to risk their lives are low-income youth of color.
“I am sick of being racially profiled and harassed by recruiters not to mention watching my friends make uninformed decisions because they feel there are no alternatives,” explains Aurea Cardiel, Highland High School Senior.
“We want youth to know there is hope and that their skills and talents are best utilized here in our community. There is no need for them to risk their life for a chance to get college paid for,” States Monica Cordova, SWOP Youth Coordinator.
SWOP has been educating young people about, among other things, the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship, which is accessible to New Mexico residents with a GED who maintain a college 2.5 grade point average; trade schools and apprenticeship programs; and community based organizations with resources for young people which are all free.
“Teachers and parent must ensure every young person has equal access to information to make informed decisions,” proclaims Roberta Real, parent of an Albuquerque Student. The youth of the SouthWest Organizing project are adamant that their Albuquerque peers get informed not recruited.
What: Direct Action/Press Conference
When: Saturday August 9, 2008 Direct Action-2pm at Coronado Mall Food Court/Press Conference- 3pm APS Office 6400 Uptown
Contact: Monica Cordova, SouthWest Organizing Project, 505-385-6590
Youth Take Control of their Future and Demand Alternatives to the Military
Direct Action at Coronado Mall
Albuquerque, NM- On Saturday August 9, 2008 at 2:00pm young people in Albuquerque will demonstrate at the Coronado Mall against the war and military recruitment on high school campuses.
Military recruiters currently have enormous access to students on high school campuses due to requirements in the federal No Child Left Behind Act. SWOP received permission in 2007 from the APS School Board as well as acting Superintendent Linda Sink to enter high school campuses to distribute educational material providing alternatives to military service. Since that time, principals and activities coordinators have blocked our efforts, either by being unavailable or simply refusing to allow our information about the military to be handed out.
“The red tape and bureaucracy we have endured the last year and a half has been ridiculous. It’s imperative that young people have the information they need in order to make informed decision about their future,” states Emma Sandoval, SWOP youth intern.
With the number of US soldiers deaths reaching 4,134, these are life or death decisions. The overwhelming majority of students targeted to risk their lives are low-income youth of color.
“I am sick of being racially profiled and harassed by recruiters not to mention watching my friends make uninformed decisions because they feel there are no alternatives,” explains Aurea Cardiel, Highland High School Senior.
“We want youth to know there is hope and that their skills and talents are best utilized here in our community. There is no need for them to risk their life for a chance to get college paid for,” States Monica Cordova, SWOP Youth Coordinator.
SWOP has been educating young people about, among other things, the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship, which is accessible to New Mexico residents with a GED who maintain a college 2.5 grade point average; trade schools and apprenticeship programs; and community based organizations with resources for young people which are all free.
“Teachers and parent must ensure every young person has equal access to information to make informed decisions,” proclaims Roberta Real, parent of an Albuquerque Student. The youth of the SouthWest Organizing project are adamant that their Albuquerque peers get informed not recruited.
What: Direct Action/Press Conference
When: Saturday August 9, 2008 Direct Action-2pm at Coronado Mall Food Court/Press Conference- 3pm APS Office 6400 Uptown
Labels: anti-military recruitment, military recruitment, SWOP youth, war
