Catalina M Johnson. ph cortesia Johnson.

por: Gerardo Vázquez.
@gersillo

Fundación de Mujeres Ecuatorianas.

Una Mano al Inmigrante: Fundación de Mujeres Ecuatorianas. by Servando Cadenas

Para Sin Papeles: Servando Cadenas

Empezamos con la presentación de Rey Andújar – dramaturgo dominicano- y su propuesta Antípoda, la cual es una obra co-presentada por Mare Performance; Revista Contratiempo, Siete Vientos y Rehab and Denial. Este performance lo ha venido presentando Andújar desde el 2009 en diferentes escenarios nacionales e internacionales. En esta puesta, el artista nos regala una actuación en donde la dramaturgia fluye a través de la expresión corporal y danza al ritmo de textos y sonidos en español e ingles que reflejan situaciones políticas y sociales. Rey invita al público asistente a ser parte del performance e interactuar con él, creando así una atmosfera de improvisación e intimidad particulares.

Escucha parte de una conversación que tuvimos con Andújar al final del evento, en la cual nos comparte como inicia su formación dentro de las artes, su vida migrante, así como su inclinación por la literatura a temprana edad.

Si no te fue posible asistir a esta presentación, aquí puedes ver una muestra de este performance; el cual podría estar presentándose de nuevo en Chicago en un futuro.

Si te gustaría saber más acerca de la obra de Rey Andújar entra aquí.

Y por si esto fuera poco, ese mismo día también se llevo a cabo la clausura del primer festival latinoamericano de guitarra Chicago 2011. Este festival inicio el 8 de diciembre y se llevo a cabo en varios recintos de Pilsen, en los cuales se presentaron recitales, se ofrecieron conferencias, clases magistrales y talleres de guitarra. De a cuerdo a los organizadores, estos eventos surgen del “compromiso de inspirar el arte y la cultura en la comunidad de inmigrantes latinos y promover la música tradicional latina popular y el arte”.

Dentro de la serie de eventos llevados a cabo en esas dos semanas se pudo escuchar música de compositores tradicionales reconocidos pero, se hizo un énfasis en dar a conocer a compositores latinoamericanos. Iván Reséndiz, músico y organizador del fest; nos comparte sus impresiones sobre la realización de este evento:

Un aspecto a resaltar de este festival es que presenta la música de compositores INMIGRANTES latinoamericanos, hecho que crea un vínculo con la comunidad inmigrante latina de Chicago. De acuerdo a los organizadores, la necesidad de tomar la difícil decisión de dejar todo atrás para alcanzar el objetivo de crecimiento personal; es una situación que ambos grupos comparten. Daniel Torres de Argentina, Mauricio Villar y José Luis Posada de Colombia, Álvaro Durango de Ecuador e Iván Reséndiz de México son algunos de los músicos que participaron en estas dos semanas que duró el festival, en las cuales dieron a conocer a través de las cuerdas como la música popular ha sido la base para piezas de música clásica. Aquí algunos de ellos durante su presentación aquella tarde:

Esta fue la primera edición de este festival que se piensa llevar a cabo cada año, así que habría que estar pendientes de la segunda edición visitando este sitio.. En el cual también puedes leer más acerca de los músicos que se presentan, así como de compositores de renombre.

Por: Gerardo Vázquez.

Equipo de Sin Papeles: Víctor Alan Lozano, Mayra Buitrón, Gerardo Vázquez y Servando Cadenas.

Programa pre-grabado de Sin Papeles de diciembre 01, 2011.

Temas del día:

• Reporte de Alabama: Un dialogo comunitario sobre las desobediencias civiles

• En la Historia del Diario Vivir Inmigrante, te contamos de María Ortega

• Una mano al Inmigrante: la iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Merced y sus actividades de ayuda a la comunidad

• Las publicaciones de sitios pro y anti inmigrante

Programa co-producido por Víctor Alan Lozano, con la colaboración de Mayra Buitrón y Servando Cadenas; bajo la producción general de Gerardo Vázquez.

El equipo de Sin Papeles: Víctor Alan Lozano, Servando Cadenas, Mayra Buitrón y Gerardo Vázquez.

Programa pre-grabado acerca del día de acción de gracias y los inmigrantes aquí en Estados Unidos. Además los servicios de The Resurrection Project y una conversación con el escritor inmigrante Febronio Zatarain. Programa realizado bajo la producción general de Gerardo Vázquez, co-producido por Servando Cadenas con la colaboración de Mayra Buitrón y Víctor A Lozano .

Esta organización ha creado varias iniciativas que ayudan a la comunidad inmigrante de Pilsen. Existen programas para niños y jóvenes para mantenerlos fuera de las pandillas; problema común en la población joven e hispana. También hay servicios de salud y desarrollo para adultos. Una de los proyectos más grandes que tiene es la construcción de viviendas a precios módicos.

Alejandro Morales, director ejecutivo del proyecto nos cuenta cómo surge esta entidad. Además, nos da más detalles sobre las iniciativas que se han formado y otras en las que están trabajando con el fin de que la comunidad prospere.

Para Sin Papeles: Mayra Buitrón
Resurrection Project by MayraB

Un centro que empezó con el cierre de una iglesia y al paso del tiempo viendo la necesidad de sus servicios se ha llegado a establecer y conocer como el Centro San Bonifacio, situado en el barrio de Belmont-Cragin al noroeste de Chicago.

Esta organización sin fines de lucro ofrece servicios (la mayoria gratuitos) que le distinguen de otras entidades y principalmente sirve a la comunidad inmigrante latina . Entre estos recursos está la concientización de temas de salud como el VIH/SIDA, la diabetes y el cuidado en el embarazo. Además tienen un programa de entrenamiento sobre el uso de asientos de niños en el cual hay opción de obtener un asiento, programas de parteras, y cursos que le permiten convertirse en promotor de salud.

Margarita Sánchez y María Chávez, ambas promotoras de salud dentro de la organización, compuesta enteramente de mujeres, nos dicen mas a detalle acerca del centro y los programas que sigue brindando desde hace 20 años.

Para Sin Papeles: Mayra Buitrón
ORGCentroSanBonifacio by MayraSP

Sandy de León, Francisco Martinez y Anabel Mosqueda

En sus 140 años de trayectoria La Casa Erie o Erie Neighborhood House ha establecido un compromiso con la comunidad latina de bajos recursos. Nombrada una de las organizaciones sin fines de lucros más importantes dedicada a los hispanos a nivel nacional, La Casa Erie está dedicada a servir a los diferentes barrios de Chicago por medio de sus cuatro localidades

La organización permite a los miembros de la comunidad obtener un avance económico, fomentan el liderazgo comunitario y desarrollan el empeño cívico; todo esto por medio de la educación, talleres y servicios tecnológicos. Además, proveen programas para los mas pequeños como aprendizaje temprano y programas extraescolares.

Tuve una conversación con Sandy de León directora de programas en el centro de la Villita; Anabel Mosqueda, secretaria de departamento de ciudadanía y Francisco Martínez, encargado de relaciones públicas acerca del trabajo que hace La Casa Erie – un verdadero hogar para la comunidad latina.

Para Sin Papeles: Mayra Buitrón
La Casa Erie by MayraB

Giovany Revelle is the Information Director at Centro Sin Fronteras and joined us in the studio for a conversation about his work in Alabama Latino communities on deportations and human rights.

In year which saw a record number of deportations the state of Alabama passed HB 56 which is viewed as the country’s toughest immigration enforcement law. Colorlines blog offers insight into the state of the immigrant community across Alabama. Giovany also responds to the new PBS documentary: Lost in Detention which brings to light the data that proves the failure of the Secure Communities program.

Giovany also mentions the response to President Obama’s recent announcement on a small shift in his policy on Immigration.Co-Founder of Presente.org Roberto Lovato wrote his own response in the Huffington Post:

In response to the unprecedented actions of immigrant rights groups in cities across the country, officials in the Obama Administration announced changes to administrative policies that will give 300,000 people currently in deportation proceedings the right to a hearing before an immigration judge. Nothing more. More than a few of the 300,000 will likely still be ordered deported by judges known by immigration lawyers to consistently deny immigrant pleas for justice.

You can hear the interview by clicking this link.

“Remember the Fifth of November” may only be known from the film “V For Vendetta” or as Guy Fawkes’ Day, but now its part of  a global action that requires your steadfast courage and calls for bravery under pressure. Though its best you don’t wear a mask doing it!

Are you angry at the way your bank has been treating you even after being a great customer for so long? Perhaps you’re in foreclosure proceedings and can’t find a bank to work with you. Well you should take part in Bank Transfer Day which is November 5th worldwide. Organizers are calling on people to have moved their money by Nov 5th from “big banks” to community development banks or credit unions. Here in Chicago there are over 70 credit unions including the Northside Community Federal CU, the South Side Community Federal CU, and Access CU which covers greater Chicagoland and the Southwest side. Remember that if it just a community bank it can still be bought up by bigger banks.

The site FearlessRevolution reminds everyone that “since November 5 is a Saturday, you should definitely do it before November 5 since many big banks aren’t open on weekends.” The site also offers an in-depth guide to what to do after moving your money, including Step 2:

2. If the bank employee asks why you are closing your account, decide in advance the reason you’re going to provide. You can tell them you’re unhappy with big banks or that you’re a part of the 99%. Or you can decline to give them a reason. The important thing is to remain focused and accomplish your goal of closing your deposit accounts and walking out of the big bank branch with your money.

Bank Transfer Day is significant because it targets one of the many culprits of the financial crisis. Banks will feel the pinch of this collective action since they rely on y(our) deposit account balances to have the capital to make loans which in turn reap big profits. Why target the banks? These banks continue to give their executives bonuses even after receiving tax dollars in the TARP bailouts. AlterNet posted this article offering the “5 Reasons You Should Move Your Money from Bank of America.” Senator Durbin of Illinois even crafted legislation to limit how much money banks can collect from card fees.

The lobbying done by Banks, Wall Street firms and the Chamber of Commerce on behalf of corporations and special interest groups has led to destruction of strong legislation that protects consumers and the environment.  And they show no signs of relinquishing their stranglehold on politics through campaign contributions as New York Times reports:

“Since this spring, Mr. Romney has raised $1.5 million from employees of firms like Morgan Stanley; Highbridge Capital Management, a hedge fund; and Blackstone, a private equity firm. Mr. Obama has raised just over $270,000 from firms that were among his leading sources of campaign cash in 2008. “

College students have organized “College Bank Transfer Day” and demanded that universities close their corporate bank accounts and move to community development banking and investing. Universities control about $350 billion in endowments and almost $100 billion in annual spending according to the Responsible Endowment Coalition.

This Huffington Post article tells the story of the Move Your Money Project which has over 41,000 “likes” on Facebook. The project calls for ending the too big to fail model of banking, fewer fees – more savings for customers, investing in main street, supporting local business and building the local economy. The campaign claims that since it launched in 2010 it has spurred over 10 million people into moving their money to community banks and/or credit unions, according to Moebs Services. Here in Illinois, Representative Jan Schakowski (D-Ill.) talked to MSNBC’s Dylan Ratigan about why she moved her money from Bank of America to her local Devon Bank: “Individuals can do something about it. We don’t have to live with these abusers.”

You can watch the “MoveYourMoney” video below which puts the story into perspective by remixing an old cinema classic.

Whats the Alternative?

The alternative to banking with “Too Big to Fail” banks, such as Chase and Bank of America, is moving to a community bank or a credit union. Credit unions are non-profit and claim to exist in order “to help people, not to make a profit.” You can find a credit union near you wherever you are in the United States. Information is also available en espanol. Here are some basic facts about Credit Unions to get you started.

A credit union is a not-for-profit, democratic, member-owned cooperative which anyone can join. You become a member and co-owner of the credit union when you make a deposit.

• Provide the same products and services—including surcharge-free ATMs, online financial services, and free savings and checking accounts—as other financial institutions
• Return their profits to their credit union members by providing better services, better rates, lower fees and special discounts
• Follow conservative investment practices and lend responsibly
• You can move your IRA or CD from your bank to a credit union (be sure to check your bank’s policy to see what fees are tied to that action)

Credit Union deposits are not federally insured by the FDIC but rather are insured for up to $250,000 by the Natl Credit Union Administration. Suze Orman, financial educator, explains the similarities between NCUA and FDIC protection. “They’re virtually identical. NCUA protects the money you have in a credit union account up to $250,000, same as FDIC protects money in a bank account.”

“The Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back”

It’s not just individuals who are moving their money; its city and county governments, and large organizations with big bank accounts. In San Jose, Father Samaniego announced that the East Side parish would be moving its $3 million account with Bank of America, where the church has done business for at least 20 years, to a community credit union. Some held posters that read “Keep Families In Their Homes” or “Stop Corporate Greed,” and several closed their own personal bank accounts.

Nationwide, groups such as the Public Banking Institute and the New Economy Working Group are working with State representatives to consider what it would mean to create a state-owned bank. The many benefits of a state-owned bank include access to credit and generation of revenue. Currently, North Dakota is the only state in the union to operate such an institution which it established in 1919 and is reaping the rewards for it. This would be refreshing news to communities fearing the cuts to social services in their respective state budgets. More info on the Illinois Budget crisis can be found here.

So now what?

Ok just to recap. Big banks were largely responsible for the economic crisis and continue to perpetuate the destructive practices that were motivated by greed. Credit Unions and Community Development banks have a stake in community and are tied to the local economy. Begin the steps of researching a credit union that you found near you. Call them up and tell them you want to transfer to them and they will guide you. Go back to your big bank and talk to a banker (optional) about how to transfer smoothly and if there are any fees or penalties. Transfer over and become an active member in building the new economy and telling others what you did.

While it is not tied to the Occupy Wall Street movement there is plenty of enthusiasm and support from people who see this as a great nationwide call to action – especially for people who can’t get arrested or don’t want, or want to participate in other ways besides what they find at their respective #occupy sites. If you do decide to take the step of moving your money please tell me about it by email me at: martin.macias@radioarte.org.  Remember to tell your old bank why you left!

Note: YesMagazine! offers a look at how smaller community banks can insulate themselves against the larger economic crisis while still being able to lend to customers.