Monday March 31, 2008 PGA North America

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
<http://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

 
Vigil Planned in Front of the Yolo County Detention Center Later This
Evening*

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           
*
Press Contacts: *
*Manuel Santana: (408) 914-1079 _spicband@yahoo.com_*__
*Ignacio Barragan: (714) 423-0716 ibarragan@ucdavis.edu
<mailto:ibarragan@ucdavis.edu> *
*Lupita Torres: (408) 529-3849 peetuhpocket@yahoo.com
<mailto:peetuhpocket@yahoo.com> *