Women's History month
It is important not only to have the awareness and to feel impelled to become involved, it’s important that there be a forum out there to which one can relate, an organization- a movement.
ANGELA DAVIS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
- Immigration
- Policing
- Voting Rights
- A People-First Economy
- COVID-19
- Business Highlight
- Get to know us
- 72 hour video challenge
WELCOME TO
LA FORTALEZA
Welcome to the THIRD edition of the Fuerte Arts Movement newsletter, La Fortaleza! Fuerte Arts Movement is a non-profit dedicated to empowering our community through all forms of digital media. We believe that a strong and prosperous future for marginalized communities comes from radical empathy. This is only possible through honest, raw, and genuine storytelling. The Fuerte team is excited to have you connect with us!
Immigration
One of the many promises that the Biden-Harris administration made on the campaign trail was to halt the deportations of immigrants turning to the U.S. seeking asylum and a safer life. Joe Biden issued a 100 day ban on deportations on January 20th but was blocked by a Texas Judge shortly after.
While most deported individuals come from Latin American countries, one of the most disproportionately affected populations that are at risk are Black populations, specifically those from Haiti. Under former President Donald Trump, the Title 42 policy, placed soon after the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, allowed for the expulsion of recently arrived immigrants.
In the past few weeks alone, approximately 900 people have been deported under the Biden Administration, which is unacceptable. Those that have been deported were not given the opportunity to make their cases as asylum seekers, as a part of their due process. The Biden administration must continue to be pressured and held accountable to create a more fair and efficient asylum-seeking process that does not include deportations.
Policing
Only a few states across the country continue to enforce “Truth in Sentencing Laws”, and Arizona is one of them. Passed in 1993, Truth in Sentencing Laws were created to provide inmates the opportunity of a shortened sentence through earned release credit programs for good behavior. Inmates also had to serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for an early release and now the minimum amount of time has decreased to 70% in 2019 for those that hold drug offenses.
This year, surprisingly, Representative Walt Blackman (R-D6) has created HB2713 a bill that advocates for inmates to receive an early release if participating in self-improvement classes while in prison. Those convicted of non-violent or non-dangerous offenses would be eligible for 33% off their sentencing, and those with drug convictions would be eligible for as little as half of their sentence.
Inmate rights advocates are pressuring Blackman to take a step further and expand the legislation to include inmates convicted of violent offenses, and expand the chance of early release beyond the earned release credit programming.
Needless to say, these opportunities have drastically changed the lives of people who so desperately want and need to be a part of society again.
Voting Rights
With so many allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 Presidential election, Maricopa Superior Court Judge Timothy Thomason ruled that Maricopa county must provide the 2020 ballots to the Arizona Senate for audit under subpoenas. This action stemmed from the Senate wanting another audit of ballots and a careful check of voter information.
HB2373: it would require people doing voter registration to get an ID number from the county,
SB1453: it would purge voters from the Permanent Early Voters List (PEVL)
A People First Economy
On February 24th, 2021 the House read for the second time, SB 1452, a bill that Republican member of the State Senate of District 20, Senator Boyer, with the support of Barto, Borrelli, Gowan, Gray, Leach, Livingston, Mesnard, Shope, and Ugenti-Rita has been attempting to pass.
SB 1452 would expand The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA). The program is “an account administered by The Arizona Department of Education that is funded by state tax dollars to provide educational options for qualified Arizona students”, as stated by the Arizona Department of Education website.
Qualified expenditures covered by ESA also include educational therapies and public transportation services.
SB1452 would allow 65%-70% of students who live within Title 1 school boundaries and who have been enrolled in the school for 30 days, to spend tax dollars on private schools. 65% of AZ schools are Title 1 (over 1,300 of the 2000 schools), which accounts for 650,000-700,000 kids.
There are currently 9,700 ESA accounts, but bills like SB 1452 and SB 2503, allow kids that are victims of crimes and bullying to qualify. SB 1513 opens ESAs to kids of veterans, first responders, and health professionals, growing the number of applicants.
These bills represent a deep distrust by the institutions towards the very public system they work for, or in this case, work against.
Paul Boyer is proposing that SB 1452 expand a program Arizonans will remember strongly voting against back in 2018. The bill admits there is an issue with the AZ public school system and as a solution proposes to send kids to private institutions instead, eliminating the public school issue altogether rather than working on rebuilding it.Why would a public servant push for the public to not use the service he works for, and offer private options instead?
It is worth mentioning that the bill is supported by the Goldwater Institute, a self-defined “conservative and libertarian public policy think tank located in Phoenix whose stated mission is "to defend and strengthen the freedom guaranteed to all Americans in the constitutions of the United States and all fifty states". The bill is also supported by the Arizona Catholic Conference, “an excellent agency that represents the Church on a variety of matters about public policy and legislation from Phoenix, Arizona”. Curiously enough, the Arizona Catholic Conference is currently linked to 28 elementary schools, 6 stand-alone preschools, and 5 diocesan high schools in the Diocese of Phoenix.
"Why Can't We Ever Have Nice Things?"
The Eastlake Park is a legendary piece of Arizona history that now risks disappearing.
Commissioned by famous civil rights activist, community organizer, and owner of the jazz and blues club Century Sky Room, Lincoln Ragsdale, gave a home to many Black-owned businesses and music venues by founding Eastlake Park.
Tulsa-born Lincoln Ragsdale is a legendary figure in the valley. He was an incredible entrepreneur, the first African American pilot at Luke Force Air Base, Doctor of Business at Arizona State University, founder of the Greater Phoenix Council for Civic Unity, and challenger of segregation laws.
The building, part of his legacy, was bought by Idaho commercial real estate development and property management, Hawkins Companies, back in December 2020. The new owners are now planning to demolish 1140 E. Washington St to build a “luxury” apartment complex that will offer dog wash and a private spa for tenants. Small studios of two bedrooms will be rented for $1,350-$2,150.
It is with immense sadness that we see our downtown history being torn apart to make space for yet another unattractive luxury housing project out of our spending range.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 vaccine distribution has been carried out in phases, prioritizing those at higher at-risk. As Maricopa transitions to the next vaccination phase, Phase 1B prioritizes “Essential Services/Critical Industry Workers, Adults with High-Risk Conditions in Congregate Settings, Remaining 1A & Prioritized 1B”.
The state has yet to clarify who and what essential workers will be receiving the vaccine. United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW Local 99) has recently written a letter to Director Cara Christ of the Arizona Department of Health Services, advocating for grocery store workers to be at the top of the list for vaccines. Grocery store employees have been at the forefront of providing necessities, from dealing with the toilet paper crisis to canned food items many rushed to buy during high-stress points of the pandemic. Many workers have even issued complaints about how unsafe they feel in the workplace when customers refuse to wear masks. As a state, we owe it to these essential workers to be at the top of the list for the next COVID-19 vaccination.
Community Resources
ValleyWise Health services 6 Family Learning Centers around the Valley. These centers offer classes on parenting, nutrition, safety, early literacy, and child development. The classes and activities are free and currently being offered through a virtual setting. Visit their website to find the location closest to you and download the virtual class calendar for March 2021.
The website can also be translated to Spanish by clicking on the “Español” button on the upper right-hand corner.
If you wish to get in contact with a representative to learn more about the Family Learning Center please call 602-344-1352, send an email to flc@valleywisehealth.org, or click here to sign up for emails.
EveryoneOn is a non-profit organization focused on creating social and economic opportunities by connecting low-income families to affordable internet service. They offer a list of Low-Cost Internet Service Programs for individuals and families. You must meet certain criteria for specific offers, click here to learn about what is available to you.
EveryoneOn also runs a Digital Learning Center focused on computer and internet basics, education, health, employment, and financial literacy. Click here to access free resources and get started on the courses. Offers specific to your zip code can be found here.
Visit their website to learn more about all their programs by clicking here. The website can also be translated to spanish by clicking on the “Español” button on the upper right hand corner.
Feature Your Art in La Fortaleza!
As an arts-based non-profit organization, Fuerte is excited to feature local community artists in our Ezine! Fuerte wants to open up the floor for other artists and showcase your art, poetry, and photography on the front cover of the Ezine!
We welcome you to email us at info@fuerte.org to submit your pieces. We hope to see your masterpiece on the next issue of La Fortaleza!
Feature Your Business in La Fortaleza!
Are you the owner of or know someone who manages a small business? If so, Fuerte is looking to spotlight a local business in each issue of La Fortaleza. We welcome family-owned, women-owned, and POC-owned businesses. Send an email to info@fuerte.org and let us know which local business you want to see featured next!
Wraps N Curry is a small hole-in-the-wall family-owned restaurant owned by Mr. Chun. Chef of over 18 years, Mr. Chun opened the restaurant three years ago after learning about Indian cuisine while working in restaurants in California.
We love Wraps N Curry because it serves delicious homemade, made with heart at incredibly reasonable prices.
He is open EVERY DAY from 11 am to 9 pm. Please check it out and support our beloved local community businesses. Visit their website by clicking here and check out their Instagram page @wrapsncurry_indian_restaurant_.
4221 West Bell Road #111 Phoenix, Arizona 85053 (602) 866-1907
72 HOUR HOUR CHALLENGE:
Defending Democracy
Fuerte is inviting you to participate in our first of four 72 hour video challenges! Are you interested in learning more about the video making process? Are you between the age of 15 and 35? Are you ready to put your skills to the test?
Winners will be announced during a screening event at the end of the challenge and win a $5000 first prize and a $2000 second prize.
Sign up here https://fuerte.org/72hr-challenge-signup
to compete in our first challenge on March 26-28, 2021
Get to know us
Question of the week:
Best Pet Story ?
Vanessa: One day my mom called me outside, there’s a hairless cat in our yard. We named him Poe, but his owner came by and picked him up. We only kept him for a week and we never saw him again.
Xenia: My chow mix got pregnant with the new dog. She had 2 teeny weeny puppies and this was my first experience with puppy labor. My mom still has the two puppies, they're 10 years old now.
Melina: This momma cat brought her kitten to our house and we kept them both for a few years. One day she took him and dipped and we never saw them again.
Alyssa: As a kid, I had a dog named Rocko, He was a Retriever Chow with cute black tongue. He was a big boy, and my sister used to put me on him so I rode him like a horse. We had him for a long time
Clarissa: As a kid, I had a pet sheep, his name was Simon and he was my bestie. One day he was gone and I never knew why. I didn't find out 'til years later that we ate him!
