D-Q UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND ELDERS ARRESTED EARLY THIS MORNING (3/31)

This group of students at DQ University needs all the help they can get- legal help, a new board, and also spreading the word on everything they have been fighting against. They have been engaging in a long struggle to maintain California’s only tribal college- but not only do they have to fight the state to get their accredidation back, but they are also fighting against a corrupt board who is profiting off the land, by leasing it to business people who have contaminated the land with pesticides and other chemicals. This land should be for the students and their communities to exist off of as well as learn from, as DQ was originally intended to be. There is a lot of land at DQ and it is a very beautiful place where the students have created a true learning environment through alternative curriculums and workshops, and also by teaching themselves and their communities on their histories and how to exist from the land. It is a shame that the state as well as the board of trustees does not respect this much needed space. This is why these strong students need our support- there is information in the press release on how we can individually help.



Do what you can!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday March 31, 2008

Press Contacts:
Manuel Santana: (408) 914-1079 spicband@yahoo.com
Ignacio Barragan: (714) 423-0716 ibarragan@ucdavis.edu
Lupita Torres: (408) 529-3849 peetuhpocket@yahoo.com

D-Q UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND ELDERS ARRESTED EARLY THIS MORNING

Vigil Planned in Front of the Yolo County Detention Center Later This Evening
Davis, CA- Student Leaders at Deganawidah-Quetzalcoatl are preparing a demonstration at 5:30 pm tonight in front of the Yolo County Detention Facility after a series of arrests that took place today on D-Q University campus early this morning around 9:30 am. Seventeen Youth and Elders were arrested, most without being given the option of leaving.

The Board of Trustees, accompanied by the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department have attempted to remove all the students from campus and brought in a locksmith to replace all the locks. One supporter remains on campus – having climbed up a tree, with the Sheriffs waiting to remove her. Another community supporter was threatened by the police to have the CPS called on her when she begged the Sheriffs to get permission to remove her baby’s diapers and needs from the campus.

The Associated Student Body of D-Q University is sending out an urgent appeal to the community to come and show their support against this great injustice. They encourage community members and media to arrive and participate in the student’s demonstration action and vigil.

On its own, the Student Body of D-Q U is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that currently holds the only classes at D-Q University, California’s ONLY Tribal College.

The Board of Trustees has not functioned to serve its purpose towards attaining re-accreditation, holding classes on campus, hiring a new administration, and/or bringing in funding for the school in the 3 years since their inception. The board has also been canceling meetings, having not met for the last 2 months, which highlights their inability to manage, run or organize a functioning institution.

In response to this neglect, the community has united with the students to implement a new board. The current Student Leaders hold numerous programs and workshops such as the Indigenous Perma-culture Program, bio-diesel workshops and bi-weekly ceremony on campus, despite constant harassment from former board members. Students are actively searching for teachers who can further develop a new curriculum and new board members to apply for membership.

The Native and Chicano communities around Yolo and Sacramento Counties agree that the Board of Trustees are incompetent and has repeatedly failed to re-implement the educational mission of the school- a mission that seeks to unify all Indigenous people and create a harmonious relationship with the community. This embodies continued commitment towards both traditional and formal higher education for all Indigenous people.



Please support the D-Q U 3 on their court date Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 8:30
AM Yolo County Superior Court located at 725 Court Street Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 406-6700.


We are requesting letters written by the community be sent to
the CA Office of the Attorney General Jerry Brown in support of the Associated
Body of D-Q University.


The Associated Student Body will be hosting a Pow Wow on Sunday, April 6, 2008. The community is invited to attend a Planting of the Corn Ceremony, which will happen in conjunction with the Pow Wow, to welcome in the new Spring Season and celebrate Mother Earth. Applications for enrollment into the new Board of Trustees will also be accepted on this day.

For more information visit www. myspace. com/dquniversity or contact one of our coordinators.


____________________________________________________________________
To all Friends of D-Q University,

Another series of arrests was made this morning a 9:30 am on D-Q University campus. There will be a demonstration today at 5:00pm in front of the Yolo County Detention Center and a vigil tonight to support the 17 students and elders that were arrested. All are invited to participate, witness/document and support us as we stand up for our right to a better education for all Indigenous people. Please read the following attachment. Community Members from Yolo and Sacramento County and the Bay Area are also expected.

We need all the support we can get!

Please contact the CA Attorney General Jerry Brown and send letters in support of the Associated Student Body of D-Q U. Also, we are asking everyone to contact the Yolo County Sheriff Department to tell them to stop harassing the students and contact the District Attorney of Yolo County to drop the charges on the previous students that were arrested Feb. 20, 2008.

Attached is a copy of the press release and Associated Student Body brochure.

The court date for the D-Q U 3 that were arrested last month will be Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 8:30 am at the Yolo County Courthouse. The community is encouraged to attend and support the students in their court case.


Thank you!

In solidarity,

D-Q University Associated Student Body

Attorney General’s Office California Department of Justice
Voice: (916) 322-3360 or
(Toll-free in CA)
(800) 952-5225
Fax: (916) 323-5341
Public Inquiry Unit P.O.


Box 944255 Sacramento, CA 94244-2550

Contact Yolo County Sheriff’s Department & Yolo County District Attorney
Let them know you support the D-Q U students.


Tell the cops to stop harassing the students
and tell D.A to drop the trespassing charges.


Yolo County Sheriff Department
(530) 668-5280
2500 East Gibson Rd.


Woodland , CA 95776

Yolo County District Attorney
(530) 666-8180
301 Second Street
Woodland, CA 95695