Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Randy Cantz is a senior at UC Berkeley pursuing a degree in History and a minor in Public Policy. He is focused on gaining critical insights into the measures necessary to institute salient and long-lasting policies at state and national levels. An active member of his school’s community, Randy is President of Phi Alpha Theta, UC Berkeley’s history honor society, a Senior Associate for the Chief Legal Officer in the ASUC’s Office of Legal Affairs, and Advocacy Director of Berkeley Hillel’s Challah for Hunger chapter. Randy’s goal is to ultimately pursue a career centered on...

Angie Castellon (she/her)

As an undocumented individual, growing up I faced a lot of struggles. I came to this country as a child, not knowing the obstacles that being undocumented would create for my future. After high school, there were not many options for me as I faced a new life as a single, undocumented mom at the age of 17 years old. Since then, I worked various jobs in which I often saw people of my community get taken advantage of due to their undocumented status by the employers, as well as by our criminal and immigration systems. I often felt frustration more...

My hometown, South Central Los Angeles, faces institutional disparities impacting Black, Indigenous, People of color (BIPOC) communities. From an early age, I repeatedly witnessed challenges of living in a historically redlined community where many encounter hardships of criminalization, housing instability, and lack of resources affecting the stability of youth at a very young age. I have developed a deep sense of concern for inner-cities communities, where BIPOC have become entrenched within the criminal justice system who continue to use racialized practices. The loss of childhood...

Iraiz Chavez is a first-generation, low-income, pre-law fourth-year transfer student from MiraCosta Community College, majoring in Legal Studies and Sociology. Their academic interests center on democratic governance, public policy, and the role of law in shaping equitable outcomes for underrepresented communities. Iraiz is particularly interested in how policy decisions influence civic participation, access to public resources, and community well-being. They are motivated to contribute to policy conversations that center community voices and promote equity within legal and political...