by Andrea Patton
Sanctuary Santa Cruz is a grassroots movement that arose in response to the current administration’s harmful rhetoric and policies that threaten our neighbors and loved ones in the immigrant community. The group has organized Know Your Rights events, a rapid response network (YARR), and subgroups like DÍGAME, which stands for Document, Investigate, Gather, and Advocate for Movement and Education.
DíGAME was founded as a space to help change the political culture of Santa Cruz County, by promoting and connecting the work people are already doing to represent the stories typically silenced or misrepresented; to help document struggles for justice; and to build channels and forums so our histories, experiences, aspirations, and proposals may also be considered alongside those that enjoy so much institutional support and funding.
One main area of work so far is media and art activism and empowerment, specifically through participatory journalism training. Democracy is dependent on a thriving free press, but we know that not all stories get told, and threats to the First Amendment are stronger than ever these days. Despite that reality, we have seen youth led movements begin to change the narrative toward valuing diversity and speaking out against injustice. The youth of Santa Cruz County are mobilizing as well. This past year, DIGAME volunteers met with Soquel High School’s Multicultural Club, led by Spanish teacher, Roxana Jimenez. Students were mentored by film makers, Brenda Avila, whose film Libertad was shown at Cabrillo’s Understanding Gender Journeys event in October, UCSC instructor, Rebekah Leekey, and Ian Slattery. The students made a short film about their admired teacher, Maestra Jimenez. It is scheduled to appear on Community TV starting May 15th on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m. and may be a part of a larger project.
Another function of DíGAME is to serve as an independent space where community members can come to report incidents when they feel unable to pursue justice through local institutional channels, due to environments that are hostile, exclusionary, or seem unsafe to the most vulnerable members. So far, most cases of concern have been in educational institutions throughout the county. When individuals report instances of discrimination to Sanctuary Santa Cruz, DIGAME works with them to hold those in power accountable by strategically channeling people’s efforts to create democracy. The group continues to seek opportunities to work with the community to fight back against efforts to silence marginalized voices.