SWOPblogger

MAY 8 - 11 (THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY): 3:45, 6:00, 8:15

This new documentary is a poetic glance at a community’s creative response to a series of teacher firings, taking place in the context of police brutality and restrictive free speech zones - a nation at war abroad and with its people. When the bombs began to fall on Iraq in 2003, Albuquerque Youth Poetry Slam Team Coach, Bill Nevins, was suspended and later fired from his teaching job, while his outspoken High School Poetry Team was silenced. Nevins was the last of seven area educators removed by fearful administrations seeking to quell debate and expression by students. Days after Nevins’ removal, brutal police tactics on anti-war protesters emerged as the latest attempt at silencing these voices. Yet out of this fire arose a committed community of courageous poets, and musicians. They came together across the country and was dubbed Poetic Justice.  It defied the fear tactics of the day to support and model freedom of speech and stand with the fired teacher. The voices from Poetic Justice, and the resulting film, stand as a testament to our creative spirit and an affirmation of the power of our words - a path toward transformation and hope in these troubling times.

THE GUILD CINEMA, 3405 Central NE (Tulane Dr)

Thanks to Charles for the heads up on this one. And thanks to Bill Nevins and the young poets for doing what they do...

Labels: Civic Engagement, Civil Rights, Intel, Iraq, POP Culture, war

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Rodrigo Rodriguez 505-620-1476
SWOP Office 505-247-8832

Press Advisory-May 2, 2007

Community challenges APS as a pipeline to the military

School Board scheduled to report on whether students have access to organizations that are providing alternatives to the military.

What: The Albuquerque School Board Policy Committee will be reporting the results of an equal access study that was done by the principals of our public high schools. The study was requested to investigate whether equal access is being provided to organizations that are working to provide alternatives to the military.

Where: 6400 Uptown Blvd NE DeLayo Martin Community Room

When: 5:00pm Thursday May 3rd, 2007

30 dead and counting, New Mexico is paying the price of war with our lives. Fewer New Mexican high school students are enrolling at the University of New Mexico, and after enticing war propaganda and in house military recruiters on high school campuses, military enlistment goals have been met. Organizations like the SouthWest Organizing Project and Another Side have been working to outreach to students to educate them about the harsh reality of the military and alternatives for career and higher education.

APS administrations have consistently denied students the opportunity to hear another side of military enlistment. We have pushed for a study to be done on whether students have access to organizations that are providing information about alternatives. Scheduled to be reported back in January, the study results have been delayed for four months. After SWOP and Another Side demanded the results be heard immediately, the School Board moved the meeting to Thursday, May 3rd.

What people are saying:

* “I feel bombarded with all the info the military pushes on me, even when I don’t put my information out there they still find me,” Says Lucia Martinez, incoming Freshman at Albuquerque High School.

* “The APS High School administrations give us the run around when trying to access students and teachers are scared to let us present alternative perspectives to the military. Now they are looking to arm APS school guards again. Our public schools are run by fear and the perpetuation of violence and that is no place for young people to develop.” Mónica Córdova, Youth Coordinator at the SouthWest Organizing Project.

* “Our students are being recruited and shipped off to fight in a war half a world away and the school board is sitting by idly doing nothing. Our students deserve to be able to make well informed decisions about their futures, especially when it comes to something as life altering as military enlistment.” Rodrigo Rodriguez, SouthWest Organizing Project member and CNM student.

Labels: APS, Iraq, military recruitment, war, youth

1000 protesters gathered at civic plaza today to stand up against the unjust war on Iraq and the economic draft that has targetted young women and men in poor communities of color. "Iraq is eating our generation alive" exclaimed Emma Sandoval a SWOP representative at the rally preceding the march. More than 3000 soldiers have lost their lives, 29 have been from New Mexico.


SWOP youth's campaign focuses on dramtacially reducing the number of military recruiters on school campuses, and putting an end to the pressure they recieve to join the armed forces. Youth need an education and healthcare, what they don't need is to sign a death contract that will profit Bush.

Check out more pictures from the march below.

Labels: anti-war march, Iraq, march 17th, military recruitment, peace-a-palooza, SWOP, youth