SJSU STUDENTS TO HOST MARDI GRAS EVENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:
Kristin Rasmussen (415) 845-4200 / kristinalexandra@gmail.com
Dr. Scott-Myers Lipton (510) 508-5382 / smlipton@sjsu.edu

SJSU STUDENTS TO HOST MARDI GRAS EVENT
Students to "Celebrate for HR 4048"

On Tuesday, February 5th, 2008, students and faculty will gather at San Jose State University to celebrate Mardi Gras and rally in support of the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act (HR 4048).

SJSU students and faculty created the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project in November of 2006. Through relentless effort, and by forming alliances with Louisiana ACORN, ColorofChange, and the RFK Center for Human Rights, HR 4048 was introduced into Congress on November 1, 2007. Congress member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced HR 4048, with original co-sponsorship from Charlie Melancon (D-LA) and Gene Taylor (D-MS). When enacted, HR 4048 will create 100,000 civic work jobs for Gulf Coast residents and evacuees to rebuild their public infrastructure.

Students and faculty will "Celebrate for HR 4048" by processing around campus with a jazz band. The celebration will include throwing of beads, small floats, and New Orleans cuisine. Below is the full schedule:

• 9 am–noon: Politically-themed mask making and sign making (in support of HR 4048) on the 7th Street Plaza sponsored by the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center
• 11:30 am: Meet at the Smith/Carlos Statues; begin procession around campus at 11:45 am
• 12:30 pm: New Orleans cuisine at the barbecue pits on the 7th Street Plaza
• 4-5:30 pm: "American Blackout" (video on Black voter suppression), Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Library, Room 225
• 7–9 pm: ""The History of New Orleans from the Bottom of the Gumbo Pot," presentation by Dr. Steven Milner, Chair of African-American Studies; SJSU student report out of the current state of New Orleans based on their recent NOLA trip, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Library, Room 225

This year, Mardi Gras falls on Super Tuesday, where 22 states will hold caucuses or primary elections to choose their presidential candidates. What better day than Mardi Gras/Super Tuesday to highlight the importance of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. The SJSU students hope to send a loud message to the nation and to the presidential candidates that there is solution to the crisis in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, and it is HR 4048, the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act.

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