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

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — In San Francisco, nearly a dozen activists braved the cold bay waters Saturday to swim from Alcatraz to the city as part of a fundraiser. It is going toward a scholarship fund, which supports undocumented students at San Francisco State, amid increased attacks on immigrant communities.

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

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

Castillo, is one of nine members of the SF Dream Team who are braving the bay, swimming from The Rock to The City to raise money for undocumented students at San Francisco State University. Many swimmers are SF State alumni themselves.

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“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 said.

Swim activists say it’s why a scholarship fund was created for SF State students, regardless of their immigration status. Many are facing financial barriers, often paying increased tuition fees, which international students pay if they don’t qualify for California non-resident tuition exemption under 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,” said scholarship co-founder Mario Flores.

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

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This is the 12th year for the Alcatraz fundraiser. But this year, activists say their swim has never been more important.

“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,” said scholarship co-founder Nancy Jodaitis.

The swimmers arrived at Crissy Field beach about 90 minutes after leaving Alcatraz. The group has established a Gofundme, with a goal $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 told a crowd of supporters.