Esperanza Peace & Justice Center

a n d p u b l i c f u n d i n g

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Index of Esperanza v. City of San Antonio

Statement by Antonia I. Castaneda
professor of history
August 4, 1998

RESPECT AND DEFEND OUR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS: COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR ESPERANZA LITIGATION

In the community, the Esperanza is known, respected, loved, and supported as a cultural arts organization that exhibits, fosters and advocates for the cultural and artistic expression and rights of diverse communities. In particular, the Esperanza's programming respects and nurtures the diverse cultures and arts of communities historically excluded from mainstream cultural institutions: women, people of color, lesbians and gay men and working class peoples, especially the youth.

The Esperanza's funding from the City of San Antonio is earned fairly and squarely in a democratic competitive process, where its cultural and artistic programming invariably receives the highest ranking. When we, taxpaying citizens from diverse communities, learned that the City Council had unjustly singled out and totally defunded the Esperanza last year, we called upon the Esperanza to redress this wrong which affects the total community -- all San Antonians. In a democracy, the rights of all must be protected. When the rights of one are violated, the rights of all are violated.

Thus, we called upon the Esperanza to act in behalf of San Antonio, in defense of the rights of all individuals and groups. We called upon the Esperanza to take on this civic responsibility, to defend us all by taking appropriate legal action. Our future, and that of our children, is at stake. We cannot and will not risk that future.

In the embracing spirit of love and caring that welcomes all who come through the Esperanza's doors, we thank, unequivocally support and celebrate the Esperanza for its unflinching courage in defending the democratic and constitutional rights of the citizens of San Antonio. Esperanza lives in San Antonio.

What do you think? E-mail us at esperanza@esperanzacenter.org.