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The Island of the Coconut Monk with Roger Steffens

by Roger Steffens

April 29, 2018

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1969, An introduction to the Island of Coconut Monk

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It was in January of 1969, and there were about 6,000 people living on the island. About 2,000 deserters from the North Vietnamese Communist Army, about 2,000 deserters from the South Vietnamese Army, and a couple thousand Taoists.

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_{The island drew a lot of very interesting people, spiritual people from many different faiths came to share the philosophy and peace that the coconut monk represented.}

This man, kind of floated through the crowds, and he had a third eye that bulged out of his forehead. It was so impressive, everyone treated him with such respect. I never got to speak to him, but I admired him from a distance.

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May 1969

A Closer Look at the Migrant Shelters in Tijuana

by Rebecca Mizrahi

July 31, 2019

Rebecca Mizrahi is a Freelance Photographer based in Los Angeles. You can see more of her work here.

Migration has been a constant across the world and throughout history. With the increased politicization of immigration in the United States, a true humanitarian crisis has emerged on both sides of the U.S. and Mexican borders. A day spent visiting shelters in Tijuana provided an intimate setting to hear first hand stories about the violence, poverty and persecution that compels migrants, refugees and asylum seekers to leave their homes and risk everything for a chance at a new life in the United States. Most obvious in people’s stories is a sense of grief and loss, ongoing fear and uncertainty about what’s to come, and a tremendous longing for a safe, secure future. These images are from a day in the life.

unnamed _{© Rebecca Mizrahi}

The “double” border wall is visible from a bus in Tijuana. Non-profit volunteer organization, Border Angels estimates that since 1994, about 10,000 people have died in their attempt to cross the border. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 7,216 people have died crossing the U.S–Mexico border between 1998 and 2017. Conflicting estimates.

unnamed 1 _{© Rebecca Mizrahi}

Malecon, Playas de Tijuana. The border wall stretches into the Ocean but does not stop families from meeting to talk and pass notes to each other on either side. Although recent efforts seek to prevent this from continuing to happen.

unnamed 2 _{© Rebecca Mizrahi}

One of many “missing” in Tijuana, one of the largest border metropolises in the world. It is not uncommon for male and female migrants to become trapped in the sex trade, with very few options to survive while they wait for asylum.

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New tents, clothing and food provided by This is About Humanity. Name of shelter is concealed to protect asylum seekers fleeing violence/ persecution.

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Donated blankets used for padding in lieu of mattresses.

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Children’s vitamins and prenatal pills sit atop a makeshift office in the center of the shelter.

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Child watches as new tents are set up and old blankets are removed, a bottle of medicine and a plastic spoon beside her.

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A family watches as the shelter is overturned by volunteers trying to clean up after heavy rains.

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Diapers, a few toys and a math book show the simplest accumulation of items for a migrating family. Children have no way to attend school while moving from shelter to shelter and can go anywhere from a few months to several years without formal education.

unnamed 9 _{© Rebecca Mizrahi}

In 2018, Casa Cornelia Law Center responded to 883 adult asylum seekers in need, and 876 unaccompanied children.

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According to Casa Cornelia, about 90% of asylum seekers without an attorney are denied, but almost half of those with representation are successful. As of mid-2018, over 700,000 asylum cases remained open, with new applicants applying each day.

A Look Back at the Arizona Students' Association

by Cesar Aguilar

May 20, 2019

This interview with Cesar Aguilar, the executive director of the Arizona Students' Association, was conducted and condensed by frank news.

What are the overarching priorities of ASA?

We advocate for affordable and accessible higher education. It doesn't matter your background, your legal status, or where you come from. We want everyone to have equal access to a higher education. We believe that higher education is a right, and that everyone should have a right to a public education.

We do this by educating students on how to lobby, how to navigate power, and how to get a seat at the table making decisions. When we first started we were fighting for the 26th amendment – which gave students the right to vote at 18. We still focus on voter rights for young people.

How did you get involved in the ASA?

I got involved when we were connected to the National Student Association. President Obama was doing a lot of reforms to higher education. I remember jumping on a phone conference with the Secretary of State.

Everyone was at the table helping the secretary of education, Arne Duncan, with Obama's executive orders on reform on student loans. That was when I was like "wow, this organization is actually doing something about what is going on."

Funding only comes when you start to see a wave of a movement. As people start pushing for these things, then you start to see funding come back to the organizations.

ASA 2018

Below is a brief history of the ASA – and highlighted examples of their decades of work.

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