Human Rights Advocates Receive Awards
Thursday, 28 October 2010 20:57
Border Action Network’s first annual “Celebrating Human Rights” gala honored Good Shepherd United Church of Christ Rev. Randy Mayer, Phoenix District 15 Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, and Tucson human rights promoter Clarisa Flores.
In light of the political upheaval the state witnessed this past year over immigration and ethnic studies, BAN recognized these individuals for their fight to make Arizona a state everyone can belong to.
Flores was recognized for her work to preserve human rights in Arizona.“America is the great experiment in diversity.” BAN executive director Jennifer Allen said.
Flores is proof of this.
Flores, originally from Hermosillo, Sonora, immigrated to the US in 1998 with the intention of remaining here for a year. She prolonged her stay to continue her commitment to humanitarian service.
“Human rights are for everyone, but as time went on, I understood that people with disabilities and without immigration documents were suffering rejection and lack of opportunities for improvement,” Flores said.
She understood the importance of individual human value and decided to fight for the rights and respect of all people by joining BAN.
“Border Action gave me the opportunity to equip myself in an orderly and peaceful manner to express my dissatisfaction,” she said. “By gaining more knowledge on human rights, constitutional and civil rights, I became interested in bringing something to the community.”
She realized the significance of strength in numbers and how an organized entity could make changes in oppressed and marginalized communities. After a year of involvement with the organization, Flores began to educate, organize and activate Hispanic immigrant communities.
“It’s how we have managed to gradually move toward change in Hispanic immigrant communities,” she said. “[Flores] believes it’s a duty to be the voice of the immigrant community that can’t speak for itself,” BAN member Griselda Moya said.
Despite the obstacles, Flores continues to fight for the rights of individuals.
“The struggle for social justice will never end and every day there are new reasons to keep fighting,” she said. “That is why now my challenge will be mastering the English language to help my community. They will be my motivation.”
Written by Kirsten Boele You are reading Human Rights Advocates Receive Awards articles
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