Students Begin Fast to Protest Immigration Policies

Seven high school and college students began a three-day fast at Olvera Street Plaza on Thursday to protest anti-immigrant politics and launch a battle against proposals to eliminate affirmative action policies statewide.

Wearing buttons declaring themselves “illegal,” members of the Four Winds Student Movement took up camp in the plaza’s gazebo, where they plan to spend their days in political discussion. At night, the students will take shelter at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church across the street.

The students declared the plaza a safety zone, where immigrants can ask questions about Proposition 187 and get information about becoming citizens.

Organizers said the student group, which meets monthly at Occidental College, evolved from the massive student walkouts protesting Proposition 187 before November’s election.

“We were on the offensive for Proposition 187 and we want to be on the offensive for affirmative action,” said Cesar Cruz, 20, a UC Irvine student. “What happened with 187 was a lesson.”

The measure, approved by voters in November, would deny most public services to illegal immigrants and requires public agencies and police to report suspected illegal immigrants to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the measure, which is being challenged in court by civil rights groups. Proponents of the measure argue that illegal immigrants are a financial drain on the state’s depressed economy.

The California Civil Rights Initiative, which will be on the ballot in 1996 if backers can gather the signatures of 616,000 registered voters, would amend the state Constitution to eliminate affirmative action. The issue, advocated by those who believe such policies amount to reverse discrimination, is also being explored by state legislators.

Glenn Spencer, head of Voices of Citizens Together, a grass-roots organization that sponsored the measure, said the hunger strike will raise public consciousness on the issues. Several well-wishers cheered the students.

“I admire these people,” said Marguerita Gonzalez, 60, of Long Beach. “I am from Mexico. I support them all the way.”

The fast is scheduled to end Saturday with a 10 a.m. march from Broadway and Olympic Boulevard to the plaza. Organizers said they anticipate 1,000 marchers.

“What we’re doing is to try to raise consciousness,” said Angel Cervantes, 22, an Occidental College student. “We are all human beings. We should all be treated that way.”