“Undocumented Unapologetic Unafraid”

Students united through art while raising awareness.

By Jasmine Alejandre, Valley Life Editor

Santiago Collazos, Jason Bustamente, and Luis Arrieta contribute to the painting of the mural for undocumented students at Los Angeles Valley College. Photo taken Monday, October 2, 2023. (Andrew Gonzalez | Special to the Star)

For Undocumented Student Action Week, faculty and student leaders gathered to advocate for those undocumented students who are part of the Valley college community. ASU, the Dream Resource Center, and the Rising Monarch Club created an event and space to support undocumented community members on campus with mural making.

Gianella Urtecho, ASU’s Fine Arts Commissioner, was the student who thought of and planned the mural project.

“Undocumented people are underrepresented and it's important to raise awareness and represent their rights,” said Urtecho. “It's important for my community and my friends who are undocumented.”

Undocumented Student Action Week is from Oct.16 - 20, and its purpose is to inform colleges and their attendees about the support available for undocumented students and faculty.

Along with Javier Carbajal-Ramos, the Dream Resource Center counselor, Urtecho came up with ideas of what the mural would consist of. She thought of drawing the statue of liberty because to her it represents freedom. Ramos thought of the slogan: “Undocumented Unapologetic Unafraid.”

Along with Alejandra Contreras, president of the Rising Monarch club, and the club’s secretary, Evelyn Sambrano, outlined the final design of the mural.

“It’s important to outline the connections we have as a community for undocumented students,” said Carbajal-Ramos. “It means a lot that people are coming together to support.”

At the event, students could choose from many paint colors and brushes. The mural was outlined on a tarp on the floor so it was more accessible to all participants. The drawing consisted of the Statue of Liberty with many butterflies around her. There were also fists drawn to represent fighting for rights and power. There was music by different Latin artists playing for students to listen to as they painted and lunch was provided by ASU.

The mural will be displayed next week outside of the Unity Center during action week. The Unity Center will also be hosting events for this important week, including a self defense workshop and a financial aid workshop.

“This event was cool and I really liked the music,” said Yao An Lin, English major. “I’m not undocumented but I’m half Chinese and half Latino, so I stand with my brothers and sisters.”

Urtecho says this topic matters to her personally because she is from Peru but moved over here due to the political crises in her home country.

“I hope people understand that being an undocumented student is not something you need to be ashamed of. Most of us are first generation and it’s something that we need to embrace,” said Urtecho. “You’re still here and you’re still fighting for your educational rights and your future. I want people to take that home and know that in Valley they have a sense of community.”