Compiled by Elisabeth Pinio
Fiona Ma
San Francisco community leaders and Immigrant and Workers Rights groups announced a March for Unconditional Amnesty on May 1 in San Francisco. The March will take place at Mission Cultural Center at 2 p.m. Organizers invite all immigrants and San Franciscans to participate in this event.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has created critical circumstances for immigrants and their families as they have increased their raid and capturing operations. Families are torn apart and left impoverished and helpless, while ICE’s activities force immigrants into hiding and encourage black market immigration.
Anti-Human trafficking bill approved by Assembly Judiciary Committee
AB 1278 passed unanimously by the Assembly Judiciary Committee. AB 1278, drafted by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), will increase maximum penalties for human trafficking offenses, prohibit contracts allowing deductions from a person’s wages for their transport into the United States, and provide more power to district attorneys for the prosecution of those trafficking minors. Additionally, the bill will allow for a single jurisdiction forprosecution of traffickers operating in more than one country.
“Human trafficking is modern day slavery,” said Assemblywoman Ma in a statement.” She also authored legislation to enforce penalties on message parlors serving as fronts for human trafficking in San Francisco.
City College alumna to speak at graduation
Desirree Abshire, Trustee of the Yosemite Community College District, will speak at the 2007 Commencement Exercises of City College of San Francisco as an alumna. A native San Franciscan, and daughter of a Nicaraguan immigrant, Abshire utilized student services and opportunities offered at City College to gain valuable experience in public advocacy and politics. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 2004, with a degree in Political Science. She currently serves as the Project Manager for a public relations firm focused on social, educational, and governmental outreach.
Abshire’s position on the Yosemite Community College Board enables her to extend her efforts to college campuses in Sonora and Modesto. She was elected as the youngest member and the first Latina to represent the Area 2 district.
Governor Schwarzenegger supports gang legislation
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has announced Governer Schwarzenegger’s endorsement of comprehensive gang legislation she introduced in the Senate on January 31, 2007. The five-year legislation affords over $1 billion in gang prevention, intervention, and law enforcement programs. The legislation also increases federal punishment to discourage and penalize gang members, by making illegal participation in street gangs a new federal crime.
“Gang violence is a problem in communities all over California. We need to have a coordinated approach among federal, state and local governments to work together and eliminate this problem,” Governor Schwarzenegger said in his letter of support.
Burlngame School District launches Spanish Immersion Language
The Burlingame School District will introduce a Spanish language immersion program to Kindergarten and First Graders at McKinley Elementary School, starting in the 2007/2008 school year.
Students with a bilingual education have an advantage over those without. “Studies show that graduates of language immersion programs demonstrate a cognitive edge, increased self-esteem, higher academic achievement and ultimately promote positive cultural and global social awareness,” said Paula Valerio, Principal of McKinley Elementary School.
The district is currently seeking two qualified teachers to begin the 2007/2008 school year. To apply, visit http://www.bsd.k12.ca.us/immersion.htm.
