|
|
Led by a partnership of southwest Detroit's youth and adults, Dia de Justicia will bring attention to a national report commissioned by the Building Blocks for Youth initiative. The report entitled Donde Esta la Justicia? (Where is the Justice?), outlines a national study prepared by the Institute for Children, Youth and Families at Michigan State University (MSU) in consultation with a number of national and grassroots Latino and non-Latino groups. According to the report, Latino youth receive more punitive treatment that their peers charged with the same types of offensives. The report also reveals that Latino youth are incarcerated at higher rates than whites in 46 of the 50 states. Michigan ranks as the 7th worst overall state in regards to Disproportionate Minority Incarceration (DMI) of Latino Youth.
"Latinos need to get more involved in the composition of the judicial system," says Alex Montaner, of Youth Opportunity/SERMETRO and an organizer of Dia de Justicia. "We need to become more involved by becoming the lawyers, judges and the probation officers that are going to advocate for our children's futures."
Dia de Justicia will include a dedication performed by youth poets- TO HUMAN RIGHTS PIONEERS, Caesar Chavez and Dr. Martin Luther King; an overview of the report, Donde Esta la Justicia?, conducted by MSU researcher, Dr. Francisco Villarruel; and a panel discussion consisting of presenters directly impacted by the judicial system. The panel will highlight some of the steps that have been taken to improve preventative and treatment services for youth that come in contact with the Wayne County justice system. The town hall meeting will also feature the short film, A Day in the Life, which depicts the life events of a young Latino involved in the juvenile justice system. The day will conclude with a community call for action facilitated by Raquel Villarruel, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit.
Dia de Justicia is sponsored by the Community Partnership of Southwest Detroit, Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, LASED, Life Directions, Youth Opportunity/SER METRO, Southwest Counseling and Development Services, Southwest Sub-Zone Community Policing, Michigan's Children's, Youth United and the Family Support Team of Southwest Detroit. The event is open to the public and community residents are invited to participate. For more information, contact Damarys Morales at 895-1816, ext. 3339.
###