Following the one year anniversary of the signing into law of Alabama’s immigration bill, The University of Alabama Women’s Resource Center will host an event, “Effects of HB 56: One Year Later,” on Wednesday, Sept. 19 in an effort to do more than scratch the surface of opinions regarding the law.
The seminar will be held in Room 205 of Gorgas Library and will focus on the facts of the law and its effect on the Hispanic community, particularly women.
Among other effects, HB 56 grants law enforcement officers the right to detain an individual whom they can reasonably infer to be an illegal alien among other things.
Wanda Burton, peer education coordinator for the WRC, said the discussion will cover more than just talking points.
“We’re focusing on the people whose stories haven’t been told,” Burton said. “I think students can definitely benefit by learning the laws here in this state. I want them to know how this will affect people in Alabama.”
A representative from Alabama Appleseed, a statewide organization that deals with legal advocacy, and the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice will share personal accounts from immigrants that she has worked with. There will be a brief question and answer session afterwards.
The bill continues to be a controversial topic among state residents and UA students. Lauren Covert, a sophomore majoring in public relations and Kaitlyn O’Neal, a sophomore majoring in advertising, hold different views the bill.
“I agree with the decision our legislators have made,” Covert said. “I regret the compromising circumstances it has placed immigrants in, but I feel that we live in such a complex society that it would seem almost irresponsible not to enforce some sort of regulation.”
O’Neal said regardless of their opinions, students will benefit from hearing the personal stories of these immigrants.
“It’s incredibly disturbing to me that so many kids our age are utterly oblivious to the way this bill is affecting our state,” O’Neal said. “I think many of us look at the issue from the perspective of our own comfortable lives and forget to consider how this bill will affect the people that it addresses.”
“Effects of HB 56: One Year Later” is the result of a joint sponsorship between the WRC and the Alabama Amphitheater. The Women’s Resource Center will host several additional events in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
On Sept. 25 the WRC will host a screening and panel for the film “Precious Knowledge,” a documentary on the debate between Arizona high school students and lawmakers over the presence of ethnic studies programs.
On Sept. 27, the WRC’s Every Woman Book Club will meet at the University Club at noon to discuss “Darkroom: A Memoir in Black and White.” On the same day, the WRC will host a game day that will feature women’s soccer and traditional Latino games for children.
