Welcome to San Antonio’s contribution of 100 Thousand Poets and Musicians for Change, the largest poetry demonstration event in the world. Thank you for joining us in this Movement Gallery at The Southwest Worker’s Union of Eastside, San Antonio, Texas. Today’s Event has been Blessed by Ramon Vasquez Y Sanches/ Xagukai Taklaxpo, Cheif of the Auteca Paguame Tribe and Head Elder of Tap Pilan Caohuiltecan Nation.
We’ve come together in this vital election year to have some words to inspire you in such issues as homelessness in San Antonio, Immigrant’s Rights, Gay Rights in Texas, and Domestic Workers Rights. Some of us are calling against banned books, nuclear, oil, big business, and genetically modified foods. Together from all corners of an Antonio, we have come to this meeting place to protect and reclaim an America that was promised to us every morning when we pledged allegiance to the United States of American flag. Legislation has picked away at the winnings of the civil Rights Movement. Now protest marches require a permit. Mexican American Studies is banned in wArizona. Our mixed race first generation American on his father’s side, President is still allowing raids on the homes of the allegedly undocumented. Our homeland security is still deporting United States veterans despite their high ranks or medals of honor and valour. SCOTUS has yet to vote for freedom. Show me YOUR papers SCOTUS! Texas is still slaughtering humans in prisons no matter if they are black, brown, white, or mentally handicapped. Police officers in Houston don’t mind shooting men in wheelchairs for weilding a pen.
Today we face facts. Today poetry and music will call forth the civil rights movement of our time. The Stakes are higher, because legistlation is picking away at our culture. Mexican American Studies is banned in Tucson based on pure bigotry against Xicanismo. They’ve banned our books from being taught. How can any American grow up without reading House on Mango Street, Curandera, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven, The Brief and Wonderous life of Oscar Wao, Bless me Ultima, The Fire Next Time, or any of the banned books? This underground Library has a vision for San ANtonio. Please give a warm welcome to Kimberly Rendon, the intern and advocate for The Southwest Worker’s Union’s Underground Library. Also, Please welcome Diana Lopez, Ernesto Olivo, Laura Muraida, and myself (Viktoria Valenzuela) as part of the volunteers for the Underground Library.
Today’s speakers and performers include:
Ramon Vasquez y Sanchez, Xagukai Taklaxpo, Chief of the Auteca Paguame Tribe and Head Elder of Tap Pilan Caohuiltecan Nation
Irasema Cavasos- President of The Domestic Workers in Action.
Carlos Gonzales- C.E.N.A. (Community Engagement Nutrition Action), The Community Engagement Nutrition Action (CENA) program is a new initiative targeting seniors in the West Side of San Antonio.
Sheila Black- Gemini Ink, A nonprofit, independent literary center in San Antonio, Texas.
Tbow,, Percussionist, Community Educator, and Poet
Mondrea Harmon/Urban Poet Griot, Poet
Amaris Diaz, poet
Puzzle Box, Band
J. Alejandro Haffner, Slam Poet
Viktoria Valenzuela, Poet and organizer of this event
Juan Manuel Perez, Poet
Joshua Lakey, Spoken word poet
Mobi Warren, Poet
Jazz Poets, Community jazz musicians and poets with Eduardo Garza and Martha Tavela
saakred, performance artist, poet
Antonette Franklin, Community educator and Poet
Sheila Black, Director of Gemini Ink, Poet
las Panzantes, dance troop
Bryce Milligan, founder of Wings Press, singer, poet
Victoria Carcia-Zapata Klein, poet
Alicia Zavala Galvan, poet
Anthony The Poet, Poet and community educator
David Zamora Casas, artist and poet
Asar Kwadwó Imhotep Poet and Photographer
The Zombie Bazaar Belly Dancers, dance troop
Carmen Tafolla, Inaugural Poet Laureate of San Antonio
Wesley Hughes singer
Recorded event footage can be found here:
100 Thousand Poets and Musicians for Change San Antonio- Video 1
100 Thousand Poets and Musicians for Change San Antonio- Video 2
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Organizer: Viktoria Valenzuela
Hosted by Viktoria Valenzuela and The Southwest Workers Union
Join San Antonio, TX’s 100 Thousand Poets and Musicians for Change demonstration being held on September 29th at the Southwest Worker’s Union, 1416 East Commerce, SATX. Poets are calling for change. Poet are the first voices to take up any challenge and start a (r)evolution. Our words inspire, and we poets are fed up with war, environmental damage, GMO foods, genocide, racist politics, and the banning of our books!
Banned book author, San Antonio’s first Poet Laureate, Carmen Tafolla will be our special guest of honor. Opening Blessing will be performed by Ramon Vasquez y Sanchez/ xagukai Taklaxpo, Chief of the Auteca Paguame Tribe and Head Elder of Tap Pilan Caohuiltecan Nation, at noon. We will be raising funds for the Librotraficante Underground Library and The SWU Community Garden in a sincere effort to feed our minds and bodies with homegrown love.
This event is not only San Antonio’s contribution to the world’s largest poetry reading for political change, but also a fundraiser for the Southwest Workers Union’s Underground Library, which is dedicated to keeping multicultural literature in schools and in the community. We will have some community speakers and information tables about social issues we should be concerned about in San Antonio in The Movement Gallery. The event is free and open to the public, however donations are always appreciated. The Chili Queens food truck, of The Institute of Chili, will be on site with delicious food (and vegetarian options) for purchase. For more information please contact Viktoria Valenzuela or RSVP the event page on Facebook.
Please click on the link here and RSVP via Facebook to the San Antonio poetry and music demonstration!
————-> 100 Thousand Poets for Change San Antonio <———-
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