This week in the border town of Tucson, Arizona, high school students chained themselves to the chairs of school board members in a struggle against a ban on ethnic studies.

When Tucson Unified School District’s governing board prepared to meet on Tuesday night, students, local members of the LGBT activist community, African American community, teachers, union representatives and members of the religious community filled the hall. Within moments, high school students had chained themselves to the seats of the School Board and filled the hall. Chants soon reverberated against the walls:

“Our education is under attack. What do we do? We fight back!”

The ban on ethnic studies originated last year amidst the passage of SB1070 and other anti-immigrant legal measures.

With Arizona serving as the testing ground for the most draconian anti-immigrant legislation, this bill bans Mexican American studies, focusing centrally on the Tucson Unified School District.  Supported by Jan Brewer and Tom Horne, the bill has been used by political extremists as a vehicle to severely weaken civil and human rights in the United States.

Students inside the hall echoed this.

“Nobody was listening to us, especially the board,” said high school student and UNIDOS activist Lisette Cota. “We were fed up. It may have been drastic but the only way was to chain ourselves to the boards’ chairs.”

UNIDOS, United Non-Discriminatory Individuals Demanding Our Studies, read their 10-point resolution on ethnic studies on Tuesday:

1. We want our ethnic studies classes to continue to meet core social science requirement;

2. We want the repeal of HB 2281;

3. We want ethnic studies programs to expand everywhere, from K-12 to university;

4. We want no school turn-arounds, no school closures and full support for Rincon and Palo Verde high school communities;

5. We want a TUSD governing board that is accountable and will stand up for all students;

6. We want an equitable education for all;

7. We want an immediate end to all racist, anti-immigrant, anti-indigenous policies;

8. We want full compliance with our civil and human rights;

9. We want Attorney General Tom Horne, state Superintendent John Huppenthal and Governor Jan Brewer immediately removed from power;

10. We want local control of our education.

These students, as well as others elsewhere, are on the frontline of the fight against hate. As they fight for equality, justice, and an increased sense of community in their schools, the rest of the country should stand strong behind them.

Get in touch with UNIDOS here to support its efforts. Connect with youth on the frontline who are struggling for a community free from fear, hate and xenophobia here and here.