17 people arrested Yesterday at DQ University

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) 322-33*60 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