Global Awareness & Student Activism Week set to happen April 22-30

Beginning April 22, there will be a week-long series of events on campus focusing on the past and current importance of student activism and global awareness. It will include teach-ins, an expression gallery, a community potluck and more. The facilitator of the event is Professor Rouhollah Aghasaleh. They emphasized the importance of student activism for social justice advancements within academia.

“Student activism has always been a few steps ahead of what us as academics do,” Aghasaleh said. 

They also described that the event was a way for campus activists to network and strengthen their relationships with an incoming generation of advocates. 

“This event is a celebration of activism,” Aghasaleh said. “We are just sharpening our tools.”

A speaker at the upcoming teach-in portion of the event is critical race and gender studies Professor Roberto Mónico. During the teach-in, he will be speaking about the historical and international struggle with Palestine. He expressed that student activism has always been important for progress. 

“In almost every instance when students take to the streets to protest, or on campus, they have rarely been on the wrong side of history,” Mónico said. 

Monico also described the event as a way for anyone to learn more about student activism and its importance in turbulent times. 

“This is a way for us to come together and show solidarity that we are not going to acquiesce,” Monico said. 

Events and information provided by Rouhollah Aghasaleh:

• April 22: Opening Rally & Keynote– Featuring voices of student leaders, faculty and community allies in the Art Quad. Keynote Speakers: Rami Younis and Chrisley Carpio.
• April 22-30: Art Expression Gallery – A powerful multimedia showcase of protest imagery, student narratives and creative resistance in the Lumberjack Lounge.
• Teach-ins, Film Screenings and Workshops – Including documentaries such as The Wanted 18, Who Bombed Judi Bari and Lyd, as well as virtual exhibits like The Phoenix of Gaza XR.
• Solidarity Actions and Performances – From non-violence training, multifaith activism panels to poetry, music and mutual aid gatherings.
• April 26: Step Up for Justice Walk – A community solidarity walk at Redwood Community Park.
• April 27: Radical Joy: Community Potluck and Free Market hosted by Mutual Aid Kitchen, a community gathering for joy and togetherness.
• Campus History Walking Tour and Archival Workshops – Preserving memory, building movements.