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for Immediate Release
Thursday July 22nd, 2010

Media Contacts:
Vanessa Castillo (714) 651-1772, Spanish and English

California Hunger Strike for the DREAM ACT, Day 3: Queer undocumented youth participate in a hunger strike and urge all LGBTQ communities to support their fasting for their DREAMs.

WHAT: Press conference with queer undocumented youth, who urge all LGBTQ communities to support their fasting in an effort to achieve their DREAMs, during the California hunger strike for DREAM in Los Angeles, to urge Senator Dianne Feinstein to champion the DREAM Act as a stand alone bill.

WHEN: Friday July 23, 2010 at 10:30 AM

WHERE: In front of Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Los Angeles office
11111 Santa Monica Boulevard Los Angeles CA90025

WHY: In order to continue to pressure Senator Feinstein to champion the DREAM Act, students and allies are willing to make a physical sacrifice in order to push the DREAM Act forward. Queer undocumented youth, urge the LGBTQ communities to support them in their efforts towards achieving their DREAMs. Speaking at the press conference will be Queer undocumented youth of Los Angeles and Orange County.

At least 65,000 undocumented immigrant youth graduate from high schools every year, and many of them struggle to attend institutes of higher education. The DREAM Act will grant youth who traveled to the United States before the age of 16 a path to citizenship contingent on continuous presence in the country, good behavior, and the attainment of at least a two-year university degree or a two-year commitment to the armed forces.
There are a total of 9 fasters, including 3 core fasters. The 3 core fasters will be at the strike site at all times. All of our 9 fasting students will be joined by other students as the fast continues. Below are the biographies of the 3 core fasters and they are available for media interviews. To schedule an interview, please contact Vanessa Castillo at (714)-651-1772.

Jorge Gutierrez
arrived to the United States at the age of 10 with his mother and four siblings. He is now 26, and after 16 years his educational and career DREAMS are still on hold. Jorge is Queer, Undocumented and Unafraid. These identities represent daily struggles in his life not only as an undocumented student who is fighting to attain documentation, but also a Queer Latino fighting homophobia in his own community. Jorge is unafraid and empowered to be the voice of the Queer DREAMERS advocating for the DREAM Act as a stand alone bill. Jorge holds a Bachelor’s in English from the California State University system. He wants to continue in his educational journey and obtain a Master’s in social work and eventually obtain a PhD and become a professor.

Carlos Amador
arrived to this country with his family 11 years ago. He attended California high school and graduated with honors. Even though Carlos had difficulties learning the language and assimilating to a new culture, he was able to over come them and continue with his college career. Carlos has obtained a Bachelor’s degree on human services and is currently working on his Masters of social work at a University of California program. He has lived through many barriers and obstacles which are the ones that have made him realize the importance of getting an education. He has realized that with hard work and dedication, achieving his dreams is only a matter of time. That is why he is involved in the fight for the passage of the DREAM Act, and why he has decided to join the hunger strike. He wishes to finish his MSW degree and be able to work with the community. He wants to eventually go back to school and obtain a law degree and be able to help people in a different level.

Erik Esparagoza
recently graduated high school, he is 18 years old. As he prepares to begin his college career at Santa Ana College, he decided to take part in this hunger strike because he wants to ensure a better future for his friends and his community. He is willing to put his body on the line because he feels undocumented students have the right to continue their education and put their hard earned degrees to use, which is what the DREAM Act would allow. He wants to ensure that undocumented students are not denied the opportunity to continue their education.

The DREAM is Coming project is a collaboration between multiple organizations, including the New York State Youth Leadership Council, the Immigrant Youth Justice League, Dream Team Los Angeles, Kansas Missouri Dream Alliance, Arizona Dream Act Coalition, the Orange County Dream Team, University Leadership Initiative of Texas, Virginia DreamActivist, and DREAMActivist.org