State legislators have shown support for protests on ASU campuses surrounding issues of workers' rights and the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the community.
Sen. Lauren Kuby of Tempe, Rep. Brian Garcia of Tempe and Rep. Junelle Cavero of Phoenix are some of the lawmakers who have attended protests on ASU campuses.
The three Democratic politicians stressed the importance of those in their positions getting involved in social and political movements in the community.
Aramark worker strike
Kuby, Garcia and Cavero have been among the legislators who protest with unionized food service workers employed by Aramark.
Kuby and Garcia have joined food service worker protests since the employees' contract with Aramark expired. Cavero picketed alongside the workers on the Tempe campus on Feb. 18, when the employees went on strike.
The workers, represented by the UNITE HERE Local 11 union, are requesting better working conditions, more comprehensive benefits and higher wages. An Aramark spokesperson said the company is committed to reaching a settlement that "works for all parties" in a Feb. 18 written statement.
READ MORE: ASU dining hall workers strike in Tempe, Phoenix amid Aramark contract negotiations
In an interview, Kuby said she herself is a union member who particularly supports the Aramark workers due to her associations with the University. Kuby previously worked in ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation and remains a senior global futures scientist, according to her website.
"Aramark is a billion-dollar corporation, and ASU is the largest university, not just in the state but even one of the largest in the country," Kuby said. "There's no excuse for workers at the largest university, perhaps in the country, to be living in poverty while Aramark executives collect the profits."
Garcia said lawmakers work in the Arizona Legislature to improve affordability.
"That also means that we have to be in our local communities fighting for that same affordability for our workers and our neighbors, our friends, our students," Garcia said.
Democratic House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos, Sen. Analise Ortiz of Phoenix and Rep. Cesar Aguilar of Phoenix also joined workers during the strike.
Anti-ICE protest
On March 20, students, faculty and community members gathered on ASU's Tempe campus to protest the presence of immigration officers in the local community. Kuby, Garcia and Cavero also joined.
READ MORE: Campus workers union calls on ASU to bar ICE during rally in Tempe
During a speech at the protest, Kuby said the presence of agencies like ICE changes whether students attend classes, ask for support or feel as though they belong.
"The University cannot fulfill its mission if part of its community is living in fear," Kuby said.
In a speech, Garcia said lawmakers are obligated to protect their communities. That's why they attended the protest, he said.
"The fact that we are not doing enough is embarrassing to me as an alum of this institution and as someone who was raised here and continues to be a strong supporter of public education," Garcia said.
Cavero said in a speech that ICE has no place in Arizona.
Schools should be spaces of growth and opportunity rather than detention or surveillance, she said.
"When students are afraid to walk in our classrooms, afraid to speak up, afraid that their future could be ripped away at any moment, that is not education," Cavero said. "It's intimidation, and we will not tolerate it."
The representative said advocates would challenge universities' policies that allow for cooperation with ICE.
Importance of lawmaker involvement
As a former member of the Tempe City Council, Kuby recalled a time when she was chastised for continuing her activism after being elected. She said part of representing her community meant standing up for vulnerable people, such as underpaid workers.
"I've been an activist since I was 15, and I'm going to be an activist until the day I die," Kuby said.
At the anti-ICE protest, Cavero stressed the importance of those in elected positions getting involved in local conflicts. Those officials have a responsibility to hold everyone accountable, she said.
"I can't say all see that responsibility of the position that they hold," Cavero said. "But it's also our responsibility to hold one another accountable."
Cavero said the presence of elected officials at local protests can be the catalyst for greater change.
"Voices can be uplifted by leaders who just give a little push," Cavero said.
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Henry Smardo, Katrina Michalak and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at spkeelin@asu.edu.
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