In order to raise awareness of North Carolina’s Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, the bill that would legalize a large number of undocumented students, student activists in that state are using Mexican-style freestyle wrestling.
The North Carolina Dream Team is composed of 15 young females, some undocumented and some not, and they have developed a reputation for using a variety of methods, such as hunger strikes, vigils, workshops and even getting arrested, to spread the organization’s message.
“This idea has opened a new universe of possibilities to raise awareness in the community in general about our social struggle and, for now, it’s been a lot of fun,” said Viridiana Martinez, one of the founders of the organization.
The two events that the organization has sold out so far have featured various masked women facing off against their rivals while the public cheers them on with encouragement. As in Lucha Libre, each character has a story: the Dream Team’s “Medusa,” for example, is the one affected by the injustices occurring in the community of young “dreamers.”
If passed, the DREAM Act would provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented students who entered the U.S. prior to turning 16, have a High School diploma, and either completed at least two years of college or served in the U.S. military, among other requirements.
“Some leave here with the desire to support us, they open their eyes to the reality experienced by undocumented students, and that – in part – is our aim,” said Victoria Bouloubasis, one of the team members.
[…] In order to raise awareness of North Carolina’s Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors …, the bill that would legalize a large number of undocumented students, student activists in that state are using Mexican-style freestyle wrestling. […]