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TUCSON (AP) - An initiative aimed at educating Tucson residents on Mexican-American studies is set to begin.

The Arizona Daily Star reports that an event known as "Tucson Freedom Summer" will start Sunday and will continue until July 22.

Scholars, writers and teachers will give lectures and workshops on bilingual education, civic engagement and fundraising.

Tucson Freedom Summer effort is being driven by a coalition of local community groups and out-of-state volunteers.

The Tucson Unified School District board voted in April to dismantle its Mexican-American studies program after some state funding was to be cut off in response to conclusions by Arizona's public schools chief and a judge that the program violated the law.

Houston-based novelist Tony Diaz responded by donated thousands of Latino-themed books to the area.