FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2007
Media Insurgencies: Panel Discussion
11 – 1 p.m. Polycentric Session, UC-Berkeley, Townsend Center
for the Humanities
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2007
Back to Program
Back to List of Film Screenings
The Giant Awakens: In 2006, a historic mobilization
for immigrant rights
swept the USA as millions took the streets. Mainstream news media
predictably covered the marches with a mix of surprise, ignorance, and
racism, yet grassroots media activists were there to document the voices
and the stories behind this mass movement.
¡Gigante: Despierta! is a DVD compilation
of compelling short films from
all around the country that hit the streets in the weeks before Mayday
2007. Shot, edited, and brought together by a network of independent
video activists, graphic designers, community organizers, musicians,
and
immigrant rights activists, it is a collective memory and a tool to
inspire action. The Giant has raised its voice to say: we are one
people, without borders. We are here, and we are here to stay!
At this panel, several participants in the project
will present short
films and then host a conversation about representation and comunicación
popular on the Net.
For more information: http://gigantedespierta.org
Participant's Bio:
Survive in the Empire (April-May-2006) Video, 15min. documentary incluided
in "Giant Awake"
"Survive in the Empire" is a documentary
that explains parts of the history of immigration to the United States,
from the slavery trade, the arrival of Mayflower ship, anexion of half
mexican territory, the exclusion act, the infamous bracero program,
up until recent use of minories as human resource which has been used
to fight in war but has been discriminated and subvalued in this country.
it is about the double standards this guverment is talking about freedom
and liberties, always based in racial profiles and economical interests,
it also show the inconformity of immigrants during demostrations taken
place widely in the United States against propposal 'HR4437', and a
march for peace made by Irak war veterans and some of their family members,
from Tijuana to San Francisco.
2007 Currently I am the coordinator of Latin American Alliance for Immigrant
Rights (ALDI) a grassroots organization based in the Bay Area, wich
was formed as a response of several raids of ICE (Immigration and Customs
enforcement) which took place throughout the Bay Area. ALDI has been
working organizing different actions to denounce and demostrate disagreement
in front of authorities, conferences and forums.
In 2006 I formed The Front for Democracy in
Mexico, when the Mexican government openly repressed the movement of
the Popular Assembly of Oaxacan People. The Front for Democracy in Mexico
coordinated actions with more than 14 organizations based in California,
56 intelectuals, students and other individuals.
Before, during, and after the presidential elections on July- 2- 2006,
I was coordinating the Defense of the Vote Comittee, a committee against
the 2006 fraudulent presidential elections in Mexico. Organizing different
actions.
'The other campaign'
Starting 2006 I organized in San Francisco presentations
about 'The Other Campaign' made by the Zapatist Army of National Liberation
(EZLN).
Tijuana (2000-2001)
Between 2000-2001 I got in involve with the
binational 'Globalifobicos Network', in Tijuana, we organized different
actions against the North American Free Trade Agreement.
We also supported the National Front of Zapatist Army (FZLN) and their
:Caravan' to Mexico City and other projects, organizing event to raise
funds.
During the time i been living in Tijuana, I organized presentations
about globalization, human rights, maquiladors, migration and enviromental
issues. for an anarchist colective, as well as I proposed to the city
goverment the creation of a 'cultural market'
Other colaborations:
Organizations of street vendors in Mexico City,
Morelia, Michoacan and Guanajuato, Gto.
Collaborate in taken unoccupied land by squatters In Los Encinos, Nogales
Sonora.
Formation of Juan de la Cabada Committee, ciudad de Mexico.
Collaborate in taken unnocupied land by squatters, Lomas del durazno,
Morelia Michoacan.