MEDIA RELEASE: Vigils Across North Carolina Today Will Defend Access to Higher Education for All
Faith and Community Leaders Host Vigils in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville and Asheville to Call on State Legislators to Show Moral Courage on Educational Access
RALEIGH (Feb. 1) – On February 1, the Adelante Education Coalition, educators, faith leaders and residents will gather in front of the NC General Assembly in Raleigh — and in four other cities across the state — for prayer vigils in opposition to HB11. This bill would prevent undocumented students from having access to community colleges and universities. The participants at the vigils also ask state legislators to reject any other legislation that would jeopardize access to higher education for all students.
“This is a mean-spirited bill,” says Rep. Paul Luebke of Durham of HB11. “It keeps young immigrants from getting a higher education. It deprives North Carolina of the skills of talented youth who can help build our future.”
The Adelante Education Coalition calls on state legislators to demonstrate moral courage and reject any piece of legislation that threatens access to higher education for undocumented students. Adelante members work to honor the dignity, educational success, and human rights of all students, demanding educational access for all. Education should not be treated or viewed as a luxury, but rather as a right to acquire knowledge to improve individuals in a society of high values.
It is critical for all North Carolinians that immigrants have the education and skills to benefit our state’s economy and turn this recession around. Access to our state’s colleges will increase the state’s collective productivity and economic growth by preparing an educated workforce. Education is a human right, and it is also a key to our country’s economic well-being.
The Adelante Education Coalition will join with supporters and community members on the anniversary of the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins by NC A&T students to stand together for education for all. Vigils will be happening across the state, at the following locations:
**Raleigh, 7 p.m. in front of the NC General Assembly, Jones St.
Contact Bart Evans (919) 660-0704 or Nayely Perez-Huerta (919) 433-6055
**Greensboro, 7 p.m. at New Garden Friends Meeting, 801 New Garden Rd. (at Friendly Ave.)
Contact Eric Jonas (336) 379-0037, Lori Khamala (336) 491-0039 or Wooten Gough (336) 306-3252
**Charlotte, 6 p.m. at Marshall Park MLK statue
Contact Lacey Williams (704) 879-1298
**Greenville, 6 p.m. at New Covenant Community Church, 1212 North Greene St.
Contact Juvencio Rocha Peralta (252) 258-9967 or Dani Martinez-Moore (919) 533-9203
**Asheville, 4 p.m. at the Vance Memorial at Pack Square, Downtown
Contact Diego Lopéz (828) 460-8112 or Molly Hemstreet (828) 230-8937
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Bart Evans (919) 660-0704, Nayely Perez-Huerta (919) 433-6055
Adelante Education Coalition of North Carolina (http://en.adelantenc.org/) focuses on education issues affecting Latino and migrant students and their families in North Carolina. The coalition is a collaboration among nonprofit organizations that focus on advocacy and public policy, community organizing, and grassroots support. We are working to ensure that North Carolina has a high-quality K-12 and post-secondary public education system where students will succeed and excel without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, language, culture, socioeconomic or immigration status. Adelante includes AMEXCAN (Association of Mexicans in North Carolina), Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocate, Center for Participatory Change, Coalition for College Access, El Centro Hispano, El Pueblo, Latin American Coalition, NC DREAM Team, NC Justice Center, NC Latino Coalition, NC Society of Hispanic Professionals, and Student Action with Farmworkers.
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