Members of the Tucson High Magnet School's M.E.Ch.A., Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlán— a student organization that promotes higher education, culture, historical and political involvement of Chicanos—are trying to raise some money to head to Chicago in April for the 22nd annual national M.E.Ch.A. conference at DePaul University.

The conference's core is education and social justice; it's about reinforcing students that they should not be dormant to what happens in their surroundings. "Together we empower each other as we strive for success."

So, the Tucson High so-called mechistas have launched a gofundme.com account, and hope to get $2,200, which would cover for flights and housing for seven M.E.Ch.A. members. What they hope to get out of all of this is see how other mechistas around the country are making their communities better. DON'T BE AFRAID, they are not trying to overthrow the United States government, they just believe all people, including Chican@s, should have equal rights in accessing things like quality education, you know the usual.

M.E.Ch.A is an organization that was established in the late 1960s to fight for equality and promote higher education in the Mexican American community. Since then, it's now grown into a national group with chapters in high schools, colleges and universities. Many of these chapters gather at M.E.Ch.A. nationals to discuss issues affecting Mexican American people, and think of ways they can address these.

From a letter sent to me by members of M.E.Ch.A. de Tucson High:

Recently, we have made efforts to revive the M.E.Ch.A. chapter at Tucson High by doing recruiting drives to encourage students to attend our meetings. At our meetings, we discuss social justice issues and look for ways to get involved in our community and educate our fellow students about their culture and heritage. 

We currently have 20 members who attend regularly, but are making efforts to continue to grow. 

Many of our members come from very impoverished communities in Tucson, and paying for these expenses will be next to impossible for their parents and families.