Volume 72, Issue 6
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ELAC Campus News talks with the cast of ‘Big Hero 6’
ESPA to hold mayor town hall meeting at ELAC main campus
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Know your
righ s Workshop informs about immigration laws BY cynthia laguna
T
Staff Writer
he American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California held “Know Your Rights,” a presentation discussing Proposition 47 and other laws in the Auditorium Foyer at East Los Angeles College last Thursday. The ELAC Students for Political Awareness Club teamed up with ACLU to construct a powerpoint presentation with information on what to do if ever arrested or questioned by authorities. The presentation provided students with different informational fliers about voting as well as ACLU’s purpose. The assembly was opened by ESPA President Joseph Nuñez who introduced guest speaker Jessica Farris of the policy and advocacy counsel at ACLU of Southern California. Farris explained the importance of voting for Prop. 47 on Nov. 4. Prop. 47 would reduce the penalty for most nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors which in return would decrease prison population and save hundreds of millions of dollars. Lucero Chavez, Immigrant Rights staff attorney of the ACLU, also explained how all people, no matter their status, pertain rights under the Constitution of the United States. Chavez said that if a person is stopped by police, either in the street or at a college or university, always remember to be polite and remain calm. Never give false information, carry a fake identification card and always have the number of an attorney or organization that can help if an attorney cannot be retained. Everyone has the right to remain silent, the right to refuse consent to a search of yourself or belongings and the right to an attorney whether arrested by police or U.S. immigration officials. People should be aware of the area they are in at all times, Chavez said. Police can be searching for suspicious activity, witnesses or looking out for public safety, and that could be why a person is stopped or questioned. The same rights apply when a person is stopped in their vehicle or on a college or university campus. The only difference is when
News Briefs
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
the police knocks on a person’s door to search his or her home. Under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, people have the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, which means that government agents must have a warrant to search and seize your person and property. If ever arrested, the detained person should ask for an attorney, a list of free legal services in the area or for a list of the contact information for all consulates and not sign any papers without talking to an attorney first. An important point discussed was prosecutorial discretion, which refers to the power of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to either open or close a case in which the person detained can apply for amnesty. ELAC Professor Consuelo Rey-Castro has been involved with ACLU in the “Know Your Rights” teach-in/workshops since last year and all together provide information in regards to legal matters, such as protecting citizens’ rights. “The reality of everyday life is such, that if you don’t know what your rights are, you won’t know it when your rights have been violated and taken away from you,” Rey-Castro said. Rey-Castro said that it was important for students to know what to do when, for example, they experience sexual harassment, are facing immigration processes or have been stopped or arrested. ESPA’s primary purpose is to unite students and increase awareness in regards of social and political matters throughout the campus and community. “The uninformed leave the door open for people to take advantage of (their) ignorance… and the first step to protecting our rights is to know them,” Nuñez said. He hopes that the club’s meetings will encourage students to become informed and welcomes everyone to attend an ESPA meeting that are held every Thursday at 12:15-1:30 p.m. in F7-217. Students can easily access information provided by ACLU on its website at aclusocal. org. The page provides information about issues, court cases, the community and government. People can donate and join through the website as well as volunteering for upcoming events and campaigns.
Fast Facts
•Never give false information, carry a fake identification card and always have the number of an attorney or organization that can help if an attorney cannot be retained.
Professionals advise international students in job search BY maria isidoro Staff Writer International students from East Los Angeles College discussed topics on how to find a job at a public or private business on Sunday at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library. Chinese Language Associate Professor and President of Chinese American Education Association Robert Liu designed “Becoming Professionals” to inspire youth on how to find a career in America. According to former president of the International Student Advancement Program Club Bowen Wang, the purpose of this program is to help international students from ELAC get familiar with the basic information an employer seeks within the community. ISAP is a student club that helps international students get familiar with the new study and lifestyle at ELAC, Wang said. The program teaches how to prepare college and high school students and the local community for a successful interview. “Becoming Professionals” was co-sponsored by ISAP Club and sponsored by the CAEA and Bruggemeyer Library. Successful professionals were invited as guest speakers to share their knowledge and experience in job searching within both the private and public sectors. “Selling yourself in a brief and concise manner should be no longer than three minutes,” Senior Human
Resources Manager Elizabeth Wu of Panda Restaurant Group said. Wu also taught on how to use PRO techniques when it comes to answering behavioral interview questions. PRO techniques are examples of a job experience that describes a “past situation,” how to “respond” to actions taking in a job position and how to tell an “outcome” of what happened in that specific work. “According to the new standards in the work field, employers are no longer looking for people who describe themselves as hard working, but instead people who are working smarter and working more efficiently,” Wu said. Senior Planning Assistant from LA County government Alice Wong said that looking for a job in the public sector requires more patience, compared to private companies. According to Wong, the civil processes with county governments are different from the private sector, such as how long it will take for a job application to process. “Don’t bother to send a job application standard or resume for a job that is not posted,” Wong said. The county government provides volunteer jobs opportunities and internships paid and unpaid. Wong demonstrated how to apply for a job opening through the Department of Human Resources of LA County government home page.
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•Prop. 47 would reduce the penalty for most nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors which in return would decrease prison population and save hundreds of millions of dollars.
•If ever arrested, the detained person should ask for an attorney, a list of free legal services in the area or for the contact information for all consulates and not sign any papers without talking to an attorney first.
CN/Jade inglada
Staying informed Disabled Student Program and Services have signs displayed around East Los Angeles College’s main campus that explain a different disability every week throughout the month of October for Disability Awareness Month. Last week was Physical Disability week. This week is Mental/ Emotional Disabilities week.
Corrections
Cultivating excellence
Architecture lecture series
Cesar Arredondo was misspelled as Cesar Arrendado in “Bell Gardens mayor, impactful ELAC alum killed.” Kamyar Khashayar was incorrectly identified as Kamy Khashayar in “Elans reach finals of international challenge.”
The accreditation retreat will be held from 12-1:30 p.m. in G1-301A. Participants must bring a written innovation they have used and discuss it. RSVP by Oct. 28 at escatie@elac. edu.
The first of three free lectures will be held this Friday at the Vincent Price Art Museum at 7:30 p.m. with speaker Robert Alexander. The lectures are open to students and the public.