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The Renegade Rip
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The Renegade Rip Vol. 89 ∙ No. 3
Bakersfield College
Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017
Walk Like MADD is a success at River Walk Alexandra Apatiga
Sebastian Garcia, Mark Gulesian and Ryan Lucker show off their medals after participating in the MADD Dash event.
Reporter
Around 1,000 people came out on Sept. 23, to participate in the fourth annual Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash event at the River Walk Park, and to support the local Kern County office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash has become one of the largest fundraisers in Kern County, raising more than $80,000 this year alone and bringing the total of funds raised in Kern County to more than $225,000 since 2014. All proceeds go toward helping victims of DUI crashes, raising awareness in the community, and continuing the fight in ending drunk and drugged driving. The event brought out local businesses, community leaders, law enforcement, and residents as they participated in a 5K and
ALEXANDRA APATIGA / THE RIP
10K run, as well as a kids’ fun run. Vendors, raffles, and various informational booths were also present at the family-friendly event. Before the rally and march, the morning began with an opening ceremony with statements from representatives of MADD, victims of DUI crashes, Assistant District Attorney Scott Spielman, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh, and Councilman Andrae Gonzales. All advocated for a future without drunk and drugged driving, citing Kern County’s sense of community in the face of adversity. The Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash event first began in 2014, as Bakersfield became the first city to institute a running element to a MADD event. Carla Pearson, a victim service spe-
cialist for MADD Kern County, along with Chain | Cohen | Stiles started the MADD Walk/Dash and have been coordinating the Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash ever since. Pearson, who lost her own son to a DUI crash 15 years ago, saw little to no support for victims and their families impacted by drunk and drugged driving. She began a campaign in Bakersfield to help those affected and raise awareness of DUI crashes in Kern County. “Seeing all these people come together is so heartwarming and means the world to me” said Pearson. “Many of the participants here today have lost loved ones to this 100-percent preventable crime, and unfortunately, there will be many more affected unless we can end this tragedy
today. But there is hope. Our community is done with seeing [its] members hurt and this event and the people who’ve come out here today is proof of that.” According to Pearson, with help from dedicated volunteers such as Jorge Barrientos – the current Marketing Director for Chain | Cohen | Stiles – the event has expanded to new heights. Barrientos – a volunteer of the MADD Walk/Dash since 2014, and one of the major coordinators, explained that there are three vital messages Mothers Against Drunk Driving tries to send to attendees about drunk and drugged driving. “First, we want to raise awareness of the devastating effects these kind of incidents have on the community” said Barrientos. “The issue of DUI arrest and
crashes is a community wide issue and we need to address the problem together.” The second message, says Barrientos, is responsibility. Being aware of how much you are drinking and knowing you cannot go onto the road. “We all share these roadways together,” Barrientos said, “and it’s our responsibility to make sure our roads are safe for everyone.” The third and final message Barrientos shared was supporting the victims. “By no fault of their own, these people and their whole lives have been changed. We are here to let these victims and their families know we stand with them.” Michael Benge and his family were victims of a DUI crash. His wife was killed and he and his
Dolores Huerta holds a Q&A after documentary Jenny Brito Reporter
Dolores Huerta, labor and civil rights leader, hosted a Q&A at the Maya Cinemas in Bakersfield on Sept. 24 after the premiere of Dolores, the documentary based on her life and fight for social justice. The first screenings of the movie sold out quickly, and the theater was filled with people eager to meet the civil rights leader. Huerta entered the stage right after the showing and received a standing ovation as she prepared to answer questions. The first question was related to her reasons for co-creating the United Farmworkers Union (UFW). She said that she decided to take action after witnessing how the children of farm work-
ers struggled with poverty. Huerta was also asked to share her sources of inspiration with the audience. “When you see what people can accomplish by getting organized and taking power, that’s a reason to be inspired,” she said. Among the accomplishments of the Latino community, she emphasized the value of building a presence in Congress and schools. Further, she shared her opinion about recent actions taken against DACA students. “Latino movements aren’t dead, and DACA students are not going away,” she said. Huerta added that schools would be able to show her documentary to students. She encouraged them to educate children on the contributions of Mexicans and African Americans. Other-
wise, society would be creating more Neo-Nazis, according to her. Other questions came from people who are trying to drive change in their communities. Huerta encouraged them not to give up on their dreams, make activism fun, and have determination. The documentary was directed by independent filmmaker Peter Bratt and produced by Grammy Award winner Carlos Santana. Huerta congratulated them for creating an accurate representation of her career and life. Dolores Huerta continues to advocate for the rights of immigrants, women, and LGBT individuals. She asked people to get involved and provided information about the Dolores Huerta Foundation.
two daughters were hospitalized Memorial Day weekend in 2004, when a driver under the influence crashed into them at nearly 100 MPH. “DUI crashes are 100-precent preventable” said Benge, who today travels with MADD giving talks and speaking with DUI drivers. “I always ask them [DUI drivers] if there was any shame in their actions, they always say yes.” Driving under the influence and the impression it leaves on victims are life changing, says Benge, which is why he and other volunteers at the Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash in Bakersfield will continue to combat DUI crashes, to build a future world without loss of life from drunk and drugged driving.
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Dolores Huerta sits in fornt of audience members after the premiere of “Dolores,” a documentary based on her life.
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DACA panel held in Fireside room Board passes new tuition grant Ambria King Photo Editor
On Sept. 21 a group of six local lawyers held a panel discussion in the Fireside Room at Bakersfield College, in order to address frequently asked questions and concerns regarding the rescinding of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program. The Fireside Room, which holds up to 125 audience mem-
bers, was filled to capacity; requiring that a conference room in the campus center be opened up to handle the overflow. The discussion was live-streamed, allowing those in the overflow venue to view the forum in realtime. Attorneys Win Eaton, H.A Sala, Sarah Rich, Vanessa Sanchez, Edyta-Christina Grzybowska-Grant, and Andrew Fishkin held an open forum which concluded with students
having the opportunity to consult the lawyers about general questions regarding immigration and deportation. The panel discussion lasted over an hour and covered topics ranging from what the announcement by the Trump administration on Sept. 5 means for current DACA recipients, to ways in which those who are currently undocumented can avoid the threat of deportation. There are approximately Please see DACA, Page 7
By Lizette Chavez Editor-in-Chief
The Board of Governors issued a press release on Sept. 19 announcing the approval of the California College Promise Grant, previously known as the “Board of Governors Fee Waiver program” a grant that would make community colleges in California tuition free for those with “financial need.” Paige Marlatt Dorr, who sent
out the press release shared some of the reactions to those present at the meeting including Board of Governors President Cecilia V. Estolano. “California’s commitment to affordability focuses our resources on those students with the most financial need . . . this progressive approach to financial aid ensures that all California students, not just those from higher-income families, have the opportunity to attend and suc-
ceed in community college.” The press release stated that the California College Promise Grant was made a “first dollar” plan which would allow the state to pay for a college’s tuition and allow any other financial aid awarded to be distributed at the students’ discretion. Other states like New York, Oregon, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee currently use a “last dollar” plan, which only pays a part of the tuition cost not covered by any Please see Tuition, Page 7