The Appropriations Committee of the Arizona House of Representatives has approved provisions to a "Homeland Security" measure that would essentially destroy the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) and Mexican-American study programs in the state's public schools and universities.The anti-Mexican provisions to SB1108 would withhold funding to schools whose courses "denigrate American values and the teachings of European based civilization." One section of SB1108 would bar public schools, colleges and universities from allowing organizations to operate on campus if it is "based in wHole or part in race-based criteria," a provision Rep. Russell Pearce said is aimed at MEChA.In addition, SB1108 mandates the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to confiscate books and teaching materials that are deemed anti-American.

We the undersigned support Tucson Unified School District's Ethnic 
Studies Program and Mexican American/ RAZA Studies Department. We 
believe in educational programs that embrace and respect the rich 
racial and ethnic diversity of the United States. We are opposed to 
the proposed Arizona State Bill AB 1108, and similar legislation, 
that would deny the democratic right to learn about different racial 
groups and alternative perspectives in American society.