Bay Area activists swim to shores from Alcatraz to fundraise scholarship for undocumented San Francisco State University college students

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — In San Francisco, practically a dozen activists braved the chilly bay waters Saturday to swim from Alcatraz to the town as a part of a fundraiser. It goes towards a scholarship fund, which helps undocumented college students at San Francisco State, amid elevated assaults on immigrant communities.

One by one, activists have been taking the plunge into the frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay off Alcatraz.

“It was a rough swim, big swells, strong currents,” stated Karla Castillo.

Castillo, is one among 9 members of the SF Dream Team who’re braving the bay, swimming from The Rock to The City to lift cash for undocumented college students at San Francisco State University. Many swimmers are SF State alumni themselves.

MORE: Bay Area native’s $15,000 Howard University grant cash rescinded because of federal schooling cuts

“They are some of the students who have the hardest time getting the funds to be able to go to school, and we think that education is a human right,” Castillo stated.

Swim activists say it is why a scholarship fund was created for SF State college students, no matter their immigration standing. Many are dealing with monetary obstacles, typically paying elevated tuition charges, which worldwide college students pay if they do not qualify for California non-resident tuition exemption below AB 540.

“So the Continue The Dream For Academic Excellence scholarship, it’s an opportunity to let people know they are wanted. There’s funding for them, and they should continue to pursue higher education,” stated scholarship co-founder Mario Flores.

“Let’s keep fighting a system that’s telling us education shouldn’t be for everyone,” stated one activist.

MORE: Judge strikes down Trump administration steerage in opposition to range packages at colleges and schools

This is the twelfth yr for the Alcatraz fundraiser. But this yr, activists say their swim has by no means been extra necessary.

“It’s kind of apropos to the moment. These are some of the strongest anti-immigration sentiments we’ve seen, so we’re swimming against the currents. We’re swimming against the tides. But we’re swimming because we’re strong,” stated scholarship co-founder Nancy Jodaitis.

The swimmers arrived at Crissy Field seashore about 90 minutes after leaving Alcatraz. The group has established a Gofundme, with a objective $10,000.

“Here’s an update: as of now, we are 72% of our goal. Seven thousand dollars has been collected, so let’s keep pushing,” Flores informed a crowd of supporters.