by Pamela Powers Hannley
TUSD board members released the following statement after Mexican American Studies (MAS) supporters demonstrated in front of Mark Stegeman's house and made unannounced visits to the homes of Miguel Cuevas and Michael Hicks.
MIGUEL CUEVAS AND MARK STEGEMAN CALL FOR CIVILITY
July 25, 2012 – Tucson, Arizona – Over the past few days, Miguel Cuevas, TUSD Board President, and Mark Stegeman, TUSD Board member, have each had their personal residences violated by pro-MAS groups. The same groups that have chained themselves to desks in the TUSD boardroom and tossed smoke bombs at public meetings have staged protests outside the homes of both board members.
“Not only do I work during the day, but I live with my grandparents. So when I got the call telling me that protesters were at my home, I had to call my father and send him over to my house. By the time he got there, my grandmother was in tears. She was terrified of the protesters and my father had to tell them to vacate our property,” said Miguel Cuevas.
“Not only did demonstrators come to my house last week while I was at work, but last year protesters came to my workplace, disrupting a class that I teach at the University of Arizona and plastering posters around my office. Students who pay to come to school to learn should not be subjected to such rude behavior,” said Mark Stegeman.
Mr. Cuevas and Dr. Stegeman agree that it is time to call for civility and are asking the community to support that effort. “We are elected by the community, serve the community, and sometimes make hard decisions for the benefit of the community as a whole. Our work should not expose our homes and families to invasion and harassment.”
Video after the jump.