ATLANTA, GEORGIA– Deep Center youth will join students from Clayton County, Gwinnett County, as well as advocacy organizations and elected officials to host a press conference on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at 10 AM ET on the 2nd floor south stairs of the Georgia Capitol (206 Washington St. SW) in response to the Senate Youth and Education hearing on House Bill 1084. 

Deep Center will be joined by The Georgia Youth Justice Coalition, Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), CASA, The Black College Firm, Senator Elena Parent, Representative Bee Nguyen, Senator Lester Jackson, Representative Edna Jackson, and Representative Derek Mallow, to stand in solidarity alongside Georgia students who were denied their right to public testimony when the Senate Education Committee chose to suppress the voices of students who were present to speak up for their educational rights. The video can be seen here. 

“This was not democratic” said Deep Center youth Harrison Tran. “We will not be silenced.” 

“I was appalled when my colleagues on the Senate Education and Youth Committee refused testimony from students who drove from across the state in opposition to HB 1084” said Senator Elena Parent, member of the Senate Youth and Education committee. “ I’m determined that their voices be heard.” 

“It’s instrumental that students get their chance to weigh in on decisions that directly impact them.” Representative Bee Nguyen said. 

While Georgia students were silenced when they stood against House Bill 1084, on Tuesday March 29th, they will make their voices heard alongside allies in calling for truth in education, culturally sustaining schools, fully funded public education, and elected officials who serve every single Georgia family.

The press conference will take place on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at 10 AM on the 2nd floor south stairs of the Georgia Capitol (206 Washington St. SW) Press are encouraged to attend and interview directly impacted students.

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Deep Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers Savannah’s young people to thrive as learners, community leaders, and agents of change. Through creative writing, cultural production, and art, Deep creates platforms for the city’s youth and the village of support around them, including their families and adult allies, to share stories, engage in debates, and make Savannah a more just and equitable place. 

With over 122,000 lifetime Latino, immigrant, and working-class members across 46 US states, CASA is the foremost immigrant organization in the mid-Atlantic region and a national leader in supporting immigrant families and ensuring that all individuals have the core support necessary for full participation in society. Now a national immigrant powerhouse, CASA creates change with its powerbuilding model blending human services, community organizing, and advocacy in order to serve the full spectrum of the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members. Visit us at www.wearecasa.org and follow us on Twitter at @CASAforall.