Students Protest Maria Shriver

Dear Supporters and fellow comrades in struggle & solidarity,

We are asking for your help. Recently one of our local newspapers has
attacked and slanted our efforts in protesting Arnold Schwarzenegger's
wife, Maria Shriver, in Watsonville. The media has made it seem as if
Shriver was in Watsonville to promote the use of food stamps and healthy
food choices. Shriver has no effect on who gets food stamps, which is a
federal program and not state. Our people are not stupid and can make
their own choices about what to eat. In addition, if she was concerned
about healthy choices she would help improve the programs that already
exist. However, we know that the gubernatorial elections are coming up
this November and Shriver's visit was nothing but a publicity stunt to
garnish the Latino vote.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's policies have been an antithesis to the Latino and
working class community. His first action in office was to repeal the
drivers license for undocumented people making their lives that much
harder. In addition, he has publicly supported the Minutemen, has raised
junior college tuition, attempted to cut after school programs, migrant
and bilingual education, and cut funding for public education by $2
billon. These are the reasons we ran Shriver out of town. Our protest was
peaceful and organized. Many people in the crowd applauded and joined in
the protest. Nevertheless, the conservative faction and the local press
(one newspaper in particular) are trying to spin the story and get the
community against us. It is important to fight back on all fronts, so we
ask that you write to our local newspaper and submit an opinion piece
supporting our cause. This would help us greatly. Mexicah Tiahui y
Tlazocamati.

Please submit a letter to the editor of the Santa Cruz Sentinel:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/July/24/edit/let.htm




BELOW IS A LETTER TO THE EDITOR IN RESPONSE TO THE PROTEST...out today.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 24, 2006

As We See It: Selfish protesters

Watsonville Mayor Antonio Rivas has it exactly right: A protest against
California first lady Maria Shriver was an unfortunate black eye for
Watsonville.

Shriver came to the Watsonville Farmers Market on Friday for arguably the
most important issue facing young people in the Pajaro Valley: good
nutrition, especially for the poor. She was in town to let people know that they
may qualify forCalifornia's changing food-stamp program, as well as advocating
for how to use the aid to improve nutrition, particularly for children.

To an extent, the visit was successful. At least 25 people attending the
market signed up for the food-stamp program, far more than in any
particular day.

But Shriver cut short her visit after an unruly group of protesters -
identifying themselves as Brown Berets - threw a damper on the event. They
shouted; they protested; they tried to prevent her from speaking.

After the event, Rivas said, "I fully support free speech and the right to
protest, but I do not condone the rude and offensive behavior I witnessed
at the plaza this afternoon."

He complained that the group deliberately interfered with Shriver's
ability to speak directly to the people.

We find ourselves in a similar position. We, too, encourage the right to
express oneself, but that doesn't make it the wise thing to do. Why chase
away someone who's reaching out to those in the community who need help
most? The Brown Berets' behavior was arrogant and short-sighted. If their
goal was to encourage Shriver never to come back in an attempt to help
those in need, they succeeded.

Thomas Avila, 5, came to the event in hopes of meeting the first lady but
his visit with her was cut short by the protesters.

"They were so rude, he started crying," said his mother, Virginia Avila, 42.

Event organizer Shebreh Kalantari of United Way said Shriver had wanted to
talk further, but security warned her away.

Here's what one protester said: "We were trying to make Maria Shriver feel
unwelcome in Watsonville."

Others, of course, felt differently, but the protesters obviously cared
only about their point of view. It's always odd how the same people who
demand their own free speech won't let others talk.

Rivas, to his credit, followed Shriver to the airport to apologize. Then,
he sent out a statement apologizing for the protesters' behavior. Of
course, a number of others who had wanted to meet Shriver or some who
might want to hear what she had to say weren't allowed to do so - simply
because of selfishness by some immature protesters.

We wonder what some of the protesters are thinking today. Their point,
whatever it was, was probably made, but at the expense of other innocent
people. We can't imagine any statewide officials who would be anxious to
come to Watsonville anytime soon.

Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, said he attended the event to
encourage eligible families to sign up for food stamps.

He, too, said the visit was a success. He added: "By Santa Cruz standards,
the protest was nothing."

Somehow, we don't think that Watsonville officials and residents want to
be judged that way.

it would be freedom