Student Activists for KatrinaRita Survivors (SAKS) received a grant of $1,000 from Campus Progress to raise awareness in the American University community of the ongoing human rights abuses occurring on the Gulf Coast following the hurricanes of 2005 and the most recent devastation caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Today they are kicking off a week-long series of events to raise awareness.

“From sluggish economic recovery to a struggling criminal justice system, incredible problems continue to face gulf coast residents following Katrina and Rita,” said Washington College of Law student and SAKS lead organizer Ian Harris. “Lawmakers and the media are finding it easy to ignore these issues,” he added, “but we are going to work hard to make sure that inaction is no longer an option.”

In order to draw attention to the issue and engage students, SAKS has organized a week of discussions, films, and other events on the AU and WCL campuses beginning today (schedule attached). All events are free and open to the public. For more information, please visit the SAKS website.

In 2005, AU WCL sent the largest delegation of student volunteers from any law school in the nation to the Gulf in order to provide legal support to a struggling criminal justice system, and to support hurricane survivors who were attempting to rebuild and return home following Katrina and Rita. WCL involvement in hurricane relief efforts exposed the student body to egregious human rights abuses occurring on the coast and ultimately inspired students to form SAKS in order to continue working on this issue.

Campus Progress provides action grants of $200-$1000 to students working on hard-hitting education and advocacy campaigns. Recipients of these grants not only receive funding but also communications and messaging strategy and support from the Campus Progress staff and access to policy experts on their issue.