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A PUBLICATION OF POP-9 COMMUNICATIONS"
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A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION
AUGUST 31, 2011
OCTOBER 19, 2011
ALABAMA: In a State of Panic! INSIDE THIS ISSUE: • Astro-Jose going from Space to Congress - Page 4 • GOP Latino leader resigns from party - Page 5 • GOP touting Latino elected leadership - Page 6 • Latino PR award winners announced - Page 14
PROFILE: Brown Beret Founder Dr. David Sanchez
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NOTES FROM THE PUBLISHER....
Hate toward Latinos reaching new heights The state of Alabama has been at the center of attention for many Latinos across the U.S. Their newest law, HB 56, is the most draconian of its kind in the nation. Coupled with a federal judge siding with it, Latinos in Alabama, documented and undocumented, have decided to leave the state in droves. This action has left the state’s agricultural business in shambles, its law enforcement agencies in confusion, and children being hazed because of the color of their skin. In the meantime, GOP Presidential candidates continue to make Latinos the target of their rhetoric to gain conservative votes. Herman Cain’s joke about electrocuting Mexican’s left little room for laughter, frustrating many early Latino supporters to leave the GOP altogether. Even Latino voters who heavily supported Texas Governor Rick Perry are having second thoughts about being members of the Republican party. The Democrats haven’t faired to well either. With over 400 thousand deportations in 2011, President Barack Obama has reached new lows in gaining Latino support, especially when over half do not fit the immediate requirements for deportation. His Office’s response to families being torn apart as a result of his Secure Communities Program has been uncaring and even a point to brag about. Warmly/Abrazos
Adrian Perez, Publisher info@pop-9.com The Journal On Latino Americans is owned and published by POP-‐9 Communications a private, non-‐partisan concern. Any article and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reBlect the views of The Journal On Latino Americans or POP-‐9 Communications, but remain solely those of the author(s). The Journal On Latino Americans is copyrighted and its contents may not be copied or used without prior written consent by POP-‐9 Communications. Copyright 2011.
CONTENTS Astro-Jose Going to Washington? ......Page 4 Lauro Garza, GOP Latino Leader Resigns ...... Page 5 GOP Pushing Latino Elected Officials to Recruit Voters ......Page 6 PROFILE: An Interview with the Prime Minister of the Brown Berets ......Page 8 FEATURE: Alabama Is A State In Panic ......Page 12 Latino PR Awards Announced ......Page 14 Latino Voters Dislike “Mandatory” health ......Page 18 The Journal On Latino Americans is published bi-monthly. For comments or information, write: POP-9 Communications 1901 A Del Paso Blvd Sacramento, CA 95815 Website: www.journalonlatinoamericans.com
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POLITICS
Astro-Jose: From the fields, to the stars, to Congress... MODESTO, CA - It’s not everyday elected Republican Jeff Denham only two
we hear about a NASA astronaut tweeting from years ago. space in English and Spanish, but that’s exactly Born Aug. 7, 1962, in French Camp, what Astronaut Jose Hernandez did on his flight California, to migrant farmworkers, of Discovery in 2009. He not only tweeted to his Hernandez joined NASA in 2001, but did growing Latino fan base, he waived an Oakland not qualify to be an astronaut until his 12th Raider shield from space, perhaps also a first, attempt, three years later. He retired from drawing screams and shouts from the many NASA in January of this year after serving rabid Raider fans in Northern California. as its liaison where he says “We would work in the field and pile toinlawmakers, our car, my Over the next two years since his historic he got bit by the political bug. flight, father Hernandez would madesay, his rounds I can't acrossmake the you goable to college, I "I was to walk the but halls of country, motivating and inspiring all who Congress and get a good feel for how they can tell you that you are living your futures right now” listened to his “Dream” message, young and old. work," Hernandez said. "I'm coming into Now, the farmworker from Stockton who would this with my eyes wide open." become an astronaut is seeking to become the Currently, Hernandez serves on the first Latino Congressional representative from Board of Regents at the University of the California’s Central Valley. Pacific in Stockton and runs his Reach For “I have a new mission,” the youthful the Stars Foundation, which helps lowlooking 49 year-old engineer from the University income students attend college. of the Pacific told an excited group of supporters "I would call myself a moderate in Modesto. “To go to Congress and make sure Democrat," he said. "I agree on being mine is not the last generation that can claim the fiscally responsible, but at the same time I American dream." also agree we need many of the social On October 11, Astro Jose, as his twitter programs that we have." fans know him, launched his candidacy for the Hernandez is now circulating a Democratic nomination to the newly carved petition online to tell Washington to change District 10. It won’t be an easy win since the priorities and focus on creating jobs. district is somewhat conservative and just JOLA 4
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GOP leadership: Beyond Reprehensible On October 16, 2011, Republican Party activist and life-long supporter Lauro Garza, resigned from the party, siting the “continued betrayal of the Republican Party.” The Somos Republican website states that the “Republican National Committee lacks the spine to moderate the extremism coming from 2012 Presidential elections. However, note how these same GOP Presidential elections will not touch the “Church of Latter Day Saints / Mormon” issue. Obviously marching orders were given to not attack members of the LDS Church. HOWEVER, marching orders should have been given a long time ago to do away with referring to Latino / Hispanic immigrants as roaches, rats, cows, shooting them like feral hogs, and now we see Herman Cain advocating the death of Latino immigrants.” The following is the unedited letter of resignation submitted by Mr. Garza: GOP leadership: Beyond Reprehensible How much distance has been travelled since President George W. Bush left office? To us at Somos Republicans, the answer is, “Way too much!” We fear that for most of the Republican Party, the answer is, “Not far enough!!” Today, we find the Republican Party has strayed from its roots and its founding principals so far that they can no longer be seen. We saw this yesterday, in the glare of broad daylight, when a leading presidential candidate, Herman Cain, not once, but twice, advocated for the murder of innocent people and that was met with cheers! Somos Republicans, America’s largest organization of conservative Hispanics, was alone in its criticism of this loud mouth hateful bigot. He says he was “joking.” Nobody here is laughing! The fact the GOP allows and applauds such outrageous thoughts is beyond reprehensible. To us, the idea of allegedly “Pro-Life” people shouting for the un-Constitutional use of deadly force is unbelievable. Then, too, we shouldn’t be surprised since Republican leaders have been advocating for the nullification of the American Constitution in states like Arizona, Georgia and now Alabama. When did Republicans, once synonymous with “conservative,” become so liberal as to attack their very own Bill of Rights in the 4th and 14th Amendments?! Where is Republican leadership? Where has the guiding principal of “Morality” gone?! If the Republican Party cannot or will not rebuke this hateful bigot and others like him who wear the mantle of “Republican” then perhaps the time has come for a rebuke of the Party itself! Ronald Reagan left the Democrat Party saying they had left him. Perhaps, I shall do the same because the Republican Party has become radical and unreasonable. President Reagan must be tumbling in his grave! Lauro Antonio Garza,MPO Somos Republicans, Texas State Director October 16, 2011 5
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The GOP pushing their Hispanic stars to get more Latino voters By The Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio are popular, relative political newcomers in presidential battleground states. The rising GOP stars are also Hispanics, something the Republican Party makes no secret of hoping to capitalize on in the upcoming national elections. National Republicans are inviting them on international fact finding trips, courting them for high-profile public appearances and whispering their names as possibilities for vice presidential nominations. “They represent the American Dream,” said Fred Malek, founder of the conservative American Action Network and its spinoff, the Hispanic Leadership Network, whose mission is to bring Hispanics into the party. “They represent what America is all about how to succeed. How to pull yourself up by the bootstraps, reach success and show leadership. They all share that.” But wooing the Hispanic vote takes more than floating candidates with Latino names, as was obvious last month when the Hispanic Leadership Network held a conference here. Martinez, after delivering the keynote dinner speech, was heckled by a group of some 50 young Latinos upset by her aggressive attempts to repeal a law that lets illegal immigrants get state driver’s licenses. “Stop the Hate,” the protesters yelled while a table of conference attendees stood up and began chanting “USA, USA.” The scene underscores the complexities both political parties face as they set their sights on the nation’s biggest and fastest growing but traditionally Democratic-leaning minority group — which is as diverse as Martinez, Sandoval and 6
L to R: Marco Rubio, US Senator, R - Fla; Susana Martinez, Gov, R-N.M.; and, Brian Sandoval, Gov, R-Nev.
Martinez, after delivering the keynote dinner speech, was heckled by a group of some 50 young Latinos upset by her aggressive attempts to repeal a law that lets illegal immigrants get state driver’s licenses. “Stop the Hate,” the protesters yelled while a table of conference attendees stood up and began chanting “USA, USA.” The scene underscores the complexities both political parties face as they set their sights on the nation’s biggest and fastest growing but traditionally Democratic-leaning minority group — which is as diverse as Martinez, Sandoval and Rubio and the swing states they represent. Rubio is the son of Cuban exiles, a group that tends to have widely different views on immigration than MexicanAmericans in the Southwest and borderstate Hispanics who trace their roots to early Spanish settlers.
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“It’s just as dangerous to stereotype a Latino or a Latina voter as it is to assume that all white voters think and act the same way,” said Dan Schnur, a former GOP strategist who now teaches at University of Southern California. While having a Hispanic on a Republican ballot will never sway hard core Democrats and many traditionally liberal leaning groups, Schnur says it may cause some voters to give the GOP a second look. And the Republican Party sees an opportunity to lure more moderate and conservative Hispanics with pro-family, projobs, strong work ethic themes that appeal to immigrants. “Here is the new frontier of immigrants,” Malek said. “The people who came to this country for the same reason my grandparents came to this country at the turn of the last century -- to make their way and build their future.” Martinez is the granddaughter of illegal Mexican immigrants and a long-time southern New Mexico prosecutor who has alienated immigrant rights groups with her stance on the driver’s license issue. She represents a state that is nearly 50 percent Hispanic, and one that tends to be more tolerant of Mexican immigrants — legal or illegal — than neighbors like Arizona. And while Martinez is the nation’s first Latina governor, Hispanic politicians are far from a novelty here. Sandoval, a former state attorney general and federal judge who took office the same time as Martinez, has focused less on his heritage and has largely avoided hot-button issues like immigration. He has also been more welcoming of the national spotlight. He traveled at the invitation of the Pentagon to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, and met with governors in Utah, California, Tennessee and Kentucky to discuss foreign, environmental and economic policy. Sandoval will be introduced to conservative voters outside Nevada next week when he’ll help open a GOP presidential debate
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when he’ll help open a GOP presidential debate and political summit in Las Vegas. “I want to lead by example and show the people of the party that it’s important to me as well as to the state to elect Republican candidates,” Sandoval told The Associated Press. But when it comes to Hispanics, Marco Rauda, a Hispanic Democratic organizer in Las Vegas, said many Latinos in Nevada don’t know what to make of Sandoval. He hasn’t appointed Hispanics to his administration in notable numbers and his interactions with the community have largely been limited to formal galas and luncheons with Hispanic businessmen. Rubio, 40, became the youngest Floridian to serve as State House Speaker in 1996. He speaks rapidly and without notes, easily bringing tears to his audiences’ eyes with recollections of his immigrant parents’ struggles and his appreciation for the country that took them in. “My dad was 30-something when he came to this country and had to start his life brand new. So my generation in many ways inherited a lot of dreams and hopes,” he has said. Rubio says he is not interested in the vice presidential nomination, though his name topped Michigan’s straw poll last month for the post. Fueling further speculation about his ambitions are the numerous Rubio staffers — including his chief of staff and communications director — who worked for Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign Despite his roots, he has largely dodged taking a public stand on tough immigration issues, refusing recently to be interviewed about immigration by the nation’s largest Spanish-language network, Univision, whose audience tends to strongly support immigration reform, While Republicans are frank about their hope these (Continued on page 14) 7
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PROFILE:
Interview: Prime Minister of the Brown Berets, Dr. David Sanchez By Al Carlos Hernandez, Deputy Managing Editor, Herald de Paris
LOS ANGELES (Herald de Paris) - Ironically the Brown Berets, the radical Chicano community organization, began in the office of the mayor of Los Angeles. The Mayor’s Advisory Youth Council had just selected 16 year old David John Sanchez as its chairman for 1966. Los Angeles’ Mayor Sam Yorty welcomed and congratulated the young man personally and gave him a gavel. One of his projects was “The Young Citizens for Community Action.” Acting as advisers on behalf of the Mexican American community was David Sanchez, Carlos Montes, and Ralph Ramirez. The group originally hoped to ease the strained relationships existing between the community and the police department. The group began reading about community issues and began setting up community projects, including going to Delano and raising food for the farm workers. They opened up a coffeehouse. The intention of the coffeehouse was to attract teenagers and give them something to do other than to hang out on the streets. The coffeehouse was called, “La Piranha,” which also served as an office and meeting hall. The Sheriff’s Department decided that the coffeehouse was a bad place because the kids drew a picket line in front of the Sheriff’ station protesting a case of police brutality. 8
David Sanchez said, “I was jumped by the fuzz. They had me at the jail for some minor kid thing and I didn’t want to sign. One cop got me in a judo hold and another came up behind me from the back and knocked me flat. When I woke up they were booking me. I began to change my mind about things and began to see that something was wrong with America. Things were no longer Stars and Stripes.” Experiences like these incited the group and they become openly militant. In the fall of 1967, they officially changed the name of their group to the Brown Berets. The goal of the Brown Berets in the beginning, according to Sanchez was, “To unite our people under the flag of independence. By independence we mean the right to (Continued on page 10)
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www.borderangels.org
Founded by Enrique Morones in 1986, Border Angels is a non-profit organization supporting humanity. The organization consists of extraordinary volunteers who want to stop Enrique Morones unnecessary deaths of individuals traveling through the Imperial Valley desert areas and the mountain areas surrounding San Diego County, as well as the areas located around the United States and Mexican border. The high percentage of unnecessary deaths have been results of extreme heat and cold weather conditions, in addition some have sadly been the results of racial-discrimination crimes. Steps Needed To Be Taken Spring and Summer Months: With horrifically hot temperature conditions, Ă‚Â hundreds of rescue stations are located along the ten state US Mexico border region. Temperatures reaching as high as 127 degrees, water is critical for survival. Volunteers maintain stations throughout the spring and summer months. Fall and Winter Months: Critical life-saving stations are established throughout the San Diego Mountain areas. Winter clothing, food and water are placed in winter storage bins to help decrease negative health results from being exposed to the incredibly freezing temperature changes that exists in the San Diego County mountain areas during the Fall and Winter. Awareness and Support Educating citizens and government dignitaries on the status of weather related deaths and racial-discrimination crime deaths is crucial in gaining support in the volunteer, donation and jurisdiction areas. Border Angels are proud supporters of Equal Rights. - JOLA 9
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SANCHEZ: from page 8
self-determination, self-government, and freedom – our land was stolen from our forefathers.” The Beret program included demands for the return of all the stolen land and called for an end to the police occupation of Raza communities, an end to the robbery of Chicano communities by businessmen, and an end to the drafting of Chicanos. Then the demand went out for Chicano control of Chicano education, and for housing fit for human beings. They also said, “The border lands should be open to La Raza whether they were born north or south of the fence.” The Brown Berets included both men and women who set up centers where citizens could bring their complaints of police brutality. They published a newspaper called La Causa and the newspaper carried reports of police brutality. The Berets often provided a sense of security to individuals and families and were often called on to provide security at public demonstrations by Latino groups they labeled as La Raza. The Berets started people’s clinics, youth centers, anti-drug programs, and many other projects. Beret chapters spread throughout the Southwest and Midwest. In Los Angeles, sheriff’s deputies harassed the Brown Berets and infiltrated the organization, causing disorganization and forcing them to shut down their coffee shop in the beginning of March 1968. Late in May, 1969 the Los Angeles Police Department’s Special Operations Conspiracy Squad raided the main headquarters of the Brown Berets in Los Angeles. Police claimed that the raid was made because the PD had cause to arrest two people on a charge of conspiracy to commit burglary. David Sanchez, on the other hand, felt the raid occurred because, “The police were irritated by recent intelligence activities by the Berets. Brown Berets members have reportedly uncovered two undercover agents from the police department in their membership.” Two Beret members were arrested and incarcerated. 10
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Undaunted, Brown Berets continued to operate their East Los Angeles Free Clinic. With financial help from the Ford Foundation and the volunteer help of professionals, the clinic offered free medical, social, and psychological services to Mexican Americans. Through the clinic, similar services were also provided by the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, also financed by the Ford Foundation. But such efforts were to be overshadowed by the arrests and convictions of those Brown Berets who allegedly created fires and disturbances in the Biltmore Hotel on April 24, 1969. Soon, the medical and legal services of the East Los Angeles Free Clinic would cease. But the violence in the streets in the form of demonstrations and social protests would continue and a contingent of the Brown Berets would continue to participate in a show of “Brown Power” and militancy. The organization’s inability to clearly define their role in society resulted in their failure to develop specific plans to achieve their demands. Their tendency to react to crises rather than to remain in control of a situation caused the group to become disorganized. Despite these weaknesses the Brown Berets have become a symbol of the Hispanic resistance to tyranny and their fight for liberation. David Sanchez was the Brown Berets founding leader and Prime Minister. Herald de Paris Deputy Managing Editor, Dr. Al Carlos Hernandez (AC), a former Brown Beret himself while in college, had an opportunity to talk to the enigmatic Dr. David Sanchez (DS) about the Brown Beret experience: AC: Society viewed the Brown Berets as a militant organization on the same level as the Black Panther Party. What was your original vision for the
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Brown Berets? DS: The Brown Berets was a psychological ploy to bring attention to the Mexican American and Chicano community. Our vision was often misinterpreted by scholars and writers. What we did was non-violent community activism drawing attention to our struggle for the survival for our cultural communities and for future generations. We wanted to give La Raza a chance to attain a higher education. Of course, we are always up against reactionaries who called us militants and barrio mentality which was conservative, and quite provincial at the time. AC: So your intention was social change without violence, using implied power? DS: The locos (crazy street guys) in the barrio thought that we should use violence. Still, we taught that learning to use non-violence would keep us safe from spending all of our time going to court and jail. We had to deal with extremists from the right and left; polarization was always a concern. At first, many of us went to jail for walkouts, demonstrations, and fighting with the police. Personally, I went to jail twelve times on false charges. Despite that, we learned that nonviolence would help us to last. Eventually we learned that going on the road organizing in various communities helped us to avoid police traps. AC: Extremists? Weren’t you considered an extremist yourself during that time? DS: There were people affiliated with the organization that would ask us to use violence. Then we questioned why they wanted to embark on extreme measures. We eventually learned that some extremist were actually police informants. AC: When in life did social activism become something you became passionate about? DS: When I was in the fifth grade at thee 79th Street School in South Central L.A., my teacher, who was an African American Mr. Roger Moore, taught me that this land once belonged to Mexico. At 12 years old, I was drafted into a gang
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in which I ended up making peace with surrounding gangs. Then, an Episcopal priest hired me at 16 years old to be a summer youth counselor. The priest was Father John B. Luce. He gave me books to read. From there, I was able to hook up with other youth organization. I then became the first president for Mayor Sam Yortie’s Youth Advisory Council. Then, whites from the Young Republicans came to demonstrate and to throw me out of L.A. City Hall. They could not. During this time, I was a regular rebel in high school with a “B”average and organized a campus protest against the police explorers. The only Anglos that we saw were the white LAPD police who constantly pulled over any Chicano on any street. My parents also explained to me that Anglos were very unfair to our people. Our family business was constantly harassed by the LAPD. I moved to change our group’s name from Young Citizens for Community Action to Young Chicanos for Community Action. And then to the Brown Berets. I knew that there would be a long struggle and was willing to drop everything just to get the movement on the correct path. The Brown Berets were not out to shoot police. Rather, our tactic was to create mass events. AC: Some people think that the Brown Berets were a prelude to some of the gangs in the community today. Do you believe that’s true? DS: The Berets were not a gang, Gangs and north/south conflicts came out of the prisons with barrio gang mentality to put gas on the fire. The migrants at this time are better organized and get most of the attention. Yet, if La Raza gets it together for a progress movement, we will have a new civil rights movement and not the Blacks. AC: Why, then, are the immigrant (CONTINUED PAGE 15)
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COVER STORY
ALABAMA: In A State of Panic! On September 28th, 2011, the most sweeping anti-immigration law in the country went into effect in Alabama. The law, HB 56, has already had harsh and sweeping consequences—hurting not only undocumented immigrants but legal residents, native-born U.S. citizens, and the state’s reputation on the national stage. Education Impact: HB 56 has created a climate of hostility for Hispanics and immigrants that has caused many of them to flee the state or lock themselves in their houses, while devastating Alabama’s agriculture and construction industries and creating massive bureaucratic hassles for citizens who are just trying to get their vehicle tags renewed. While the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Alabama to stop enforcing two provisions of the law on October 14th, the damage they caused may be irreversible—and the rest of the law remains in effect. What’s truly shocking, though, is that not only have the law’s defenders failed to express concern about its consequences on Alabama Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, “I will continue families, but they’re proud of them—and say the to fight to see this law upheld." law is working as intended.
Fear of Leaving Their House: Some families don't dare to leave the house, even to get basic items like food. The church deacon said that he knew people who had gone days without leaving to buy groceries; he had offered to bring them food himself. Those who do leave the house do so knowing the risk they take.” One woman interviewed even said that her U.S.-born children had the flu, but she was afraid to take them to the doctor. 12
Farmer says the law, HB 56, will cost him $150 thousand in crop loss...may not plant next year. Construction businesses were also hit hard by HB 56.
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Necessities, Like Water,Denied: In the small town of Allgood, Alabama, it was reported that city officials posted a notice stating customers needed to show a driver’s license or lose water service. The most graphic illustration yet of the draconian new immigration law coming into effect in the state.
Hazing of Citizens Because of Skin Color:
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but legal immigrants as well. The Associated General Contractors of Alabama estimate that about one-fourth of the entire construction work force has already left the state. The agriculture industry is faring even worse: it’s harvest time, and their crops are rotting in the fields. Shortly after HB 56 went into effect, according to the Associated Press, 50 desperate Alabama farmers met with one of the law’s sponsors to complain; when he dismissed their complaints, and told them “The law will be in effect this entire growing season,” one farmer replied, “There won’t be no next growing season.”
NPR interviewed a 16-year-old nativeborn U.S. citizen who reported getting teased by classmates at school, who jeered, “Are you going back to Mexico, man?” “It kinda makes me angry,” he told NPR, “but I can’t do anything about it. I can’t help the way I was born, the Government Agencies color skin that I have.” Overloaded:
Law Enforcement Confused:
Because of new ID requirements under HB 56, lines for annual vehicle tag renewal are so long that officials at the Birmingham DMV have had to add portable toilets, according to the Associated Press. The added burden has thrown state employees and citizens so far behind schedule that the state is allowing citizens whose tags expired in September to get a 20-day extension on renewing them.
Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper has been a forceful opponent of the law itself. He expressed concern that training for the law would strain his department’s budget and told a Birmingham TV station, “As chief of Birmingham, illegal immigration is not in my top ten. Homicides, robberies, rapes, burglaries, car theft—those are the sort of things that are in my top ten. Not whether the person who’s over here painting houses is here illegally. But the state has African Americans Outraged At shifted their priorities.” Step Backward On Civil rights:
Exodus Impacting Hispanic and Other Businesses
U.W. Clemon, the former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama and a career civil-rights activist, told Jose Antonio Vargas, “We are a nation of immigrants... the Hispanic man is the new Negro. It’s a sad thing to say, and I think it reflects reality.”
The Alabama Press-Register reported that one Mexican restaurant owner in the small town of Robertsdale estimated that his customer base has shrunk by 75% – from 100 customers a day to 25. A baker estimated his had shrunk by 90%. One family told a reporter that they were considering closing their restaurant and moving Crafters of The Law Delighted: to Mississippi to find business. Alabama’s U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions called the exodus of Hispanic families from the Farm, Construction Facing state “a rational response” to the law. Disaster:
Business owners are watching their For additional information, contact the Hispanic and immigrant workforce disappear— Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice - http://www.acij.net/ not only undocumented immigrants, but legal
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Industry's Best and Awards Scholarships at 27th Annual PRemio Awards By Hispanic Public Relations Association LOS ANGELES, CA -- The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA), the leading non-profit organization founded to advance the careers of Hispanics in the field of communications, celebrated an evening of excellence at its 27th Annual PRemio From left to right: HPRA-LA president, Lourdes Rodriguez (VPE Public Relations); Rafael Toro, Director of Public Relations for Awards and Scholarships Gala held Goya Foods (Corporation Award); Hector Tobar, columnist with Thursday, October 6, 2011 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times (Journalist Award); Delia Lopez, HPRA-LA CA. The organization awarded scholarships vice president; Denisse Montalvan, Ketchum (Young PR Professional Award); Angela Sustaita-Ruiz and Manny Ruiz with to students entering the communications Hispanicize and Hispanic PR Blog (PR Professional Award); and field, honored Hispanic industry leaders, HPRA-LA Treasurer Mario Flores (Sportivo). (PRNewsFoto/ Hispanic Public Relations Association, Eddie Sakaki) and the best in Hispanic public relations campaigns. The event honored national campaigns HPRA presented $11,000 in scholarships to five Southern California Hispanic students showing excellence in Hispanic Public pursuing a career in Public Relations and related Relations with the coveted Campaign of the Year PRemio. The winners were: communications fields. • Non-Profit: Lopez Negrete Amber Varnes received the Esther Renteria Communications for the first Community Service Award for her community mariachi opera, "Houston Grand service involvement. This special recognition is Opera's Cruzar la Cara de la Luna" given in memory of industry leader and • Food and Beverage: "Honey Purity" community activist Esther Renteria, co-founder RL Public Relations for its work with of the National Hispanic Media Coalition and a the National Honey Board former HPRA president. • Technology: Edelman for "Kinetic for This year's Public Relations Professional Xbox 360" honorees were Angela Sustaita-Ruiz and Manny • Public Education – Corporation: Ruiz, co-founders of Hispanicize and Hispanic VPE Public Relations & PR Blog, for their work in helping advance the McDonald's® for its work on Hispanic PR industry. Goya Foods was presented "Expanding McDonald's® Hispanic with the Corporation of the Year award for 75 Education Initiative" years of commitment to the U.S. Hispanic • Integrated Marketing market. Other honorees included: Young PR Communications: RL Public Professional Denisse Montalvan of Ketchum and Relations & Conill for their work Journalist Hector Tobar, columnist with the Los (CONTINUED ON PAGE 18) Angeles Times. 14
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BROWN BERET FROM PAGE 11
struggles getting more traction while Chicano causes lay on the back burner? DS: Barrio mentality and lack of respect for each other is holding us back. AC:What about the groups who are now calling themselves Brown Berets, they even have websites? DS: There will always be Brown Berets popping up because people want change. However, some of these groups have developed bad attitudes and have not done their homework on the past, Nor do not they respect past leaders. Nonetheless, I have respect for a few new Brown Berets in Los Angeles who know how to tackle issues. Just wearing a Brown Beret does not make them a respectful Brown Beret. The original Brown Beret Manual says, “Have respect for everyone”. Many of the new Brown Berets want to be independent. In the old days, Brown Berets were under one command which was coming from my office as Prime Minister. AC: What about your personal life? Have you always been arcane and enigmatic? DS: I play guitar and write. I really could not afford a family with teaching just part time at colleges since 1978. I wrote a book on the “Brown Beret Movement” as part of my dissertation and did much work in Human Communication. In 1978, I received a Ph.D. from The Union Institute and University. I love teaching. Mostly I taught Chicano Studies for 11 years and taught Speech 101. I wrote, Expedition through Aztlan. As a Brown Beret, I traveled in a real expedition to eighty barrios throughout the U.S. I knew that the area had to be mapped out culturally, politically, and socially. It was probably the only book that was written during the Chicano Movement from an inside perspective. I also knew that it was important to document the movement and history before all may get wiped out. I learned about expeditions while attending Cal State Los Angeles in the late sixties.
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The other book I wrote was, Social Communication for everyone. In this book I felt that our People needed to improve their communication skills. The book covers areas from social to advanced human communication. AC: Tell us about your recent run at local politics? DS: Recently, I ran for Congress. It’s a way to get out the issues. Last June, I ran against Congresswoman Lucille Roybal Allard and was opposed to her strong support of the war. I received 5,500 votes. She Dr. David Sanchez got 12,000 votes with 18 years in office. This after getting the job passed on to her from her father, Congressman Ed Roybal. It was hard to run with no money. Yes, I want to run again. Actually, I should have been a congressman but gave most of my years to community issues. AC: What are some of the projects you are working on now? DS: Presently, I am trying to find grant funds for the Mexican American University. I put together a board and corporation to develop The Mexican American University. It’s a lot of work. AC: How would you like American history to remember you? DS: I think I will be remembered as the leader during the Chicano Rebellion in East Los Angeles. And founder of the Brown Berets, and founder of the Chicano Moratorium Committee. And last, founder of the Mexican American University. Last said: to care about our people…it’s in my blood. Edited By Susan Aceves - JOLA 15
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The Claiming of “Catalina Island”: An event frozen in time In 1972, the Brown Berets plotted and executed a major media event – the takeover of Catalina Island and the Channel Islands, reclaiming them as having been obtained illegally by the United States from Mexico. Recalling this event Dr. David Sanchez, Prime Minister of the Brown Berets wrote: “We went to Catalina to claim land on the fact that the Channel Islands were not included in…the Treaty of “La Caravana de La Reconquista” 26 well trained Guadalupe Hidalgo (which) stated the new Brown Berets were led by Sanchez and laid claim to boundaries of the U.S. only went up to the coast at Catalina Island. San Pedro, California.” Utilizing a faction of the Brown Berets, Sanchez wrote: “The Brown Berets went to Catalina Island to protest and to hold land. We did not know that a Coast Guard destroyer would chase us. Suddenly, the big ship at 400 yards faced our camp with big guns that could easily take us out. Nonetheless, we held the Island for 30 Days.” CLICK HERE to read the full article. GOP LATINOS FROM PAGE 7
Cold and hungry, a group of Chicanas arrived in time to help out
three can bring more Hispanics into the GOP fold, the real benefits go way beyond the upcoming presidential elections, Schnur said Democrats are skeptical that Latino voters will be swayed. “Latinos do not vote surnames,” Democratic strategist Maria Cardona said, noting that neither Martinez nor Sandoval won the majority Hispanic vote in their own states. “They vote according to policies and they know very well that Sandoval, Martinez and Rubio do not represent the best interests of the overall Latino population in terms of giving them the tools to prosper in this tough economy.” ___ Associated Press writers Cristina Silva in Las occupying the islands for 30 days, the Brown Vegas and Laura Wides-Munoz in Miami After Berets were chased out by a Coast Guard destroyer contributed to this report. 16
The Latin Business Association The 35th Anniversary LBA Sol Business Awards Gala
“Community Hero” Award Recipients The Latin Business Association is pleased to present these fine men and women who have so honorably served our country: United States Army CSM Richard Lopez, MAJ Abel Hernandez, SSG Roberto Alvarez, SSG Ervin Reyes, SGT Miguel Fortini, SSG Diego Perez, SGT Jennifer Perez, SSG Angel Gonzalez, SFC Phillip Montalvo, SSG Carlos Moreno, SGT Monserrat Dowden, SSG Moses Tamayo, SSG Henry Lopez Sarmiento, SSG Gilbert Romero, SGT Cesar Saldivar, SGT Fidben Lepe, 1SG Andres Villa, SSG Vidal Guerrero, SFC Eric Lloyd, SFC Anthony Torres, SSG Guadalupe Vargas, SFC Geovanni Moreno, SGT Jarus P. Perez, SPC Andrew E. Arellan, SGT Clarence Roshell III, SPC Juventino “J” Gomez, SGT Jose Leal, SSG Reynaldo Medina United States Navy: LTC Ralph R. Ramirez- U.S. Navy, U.S. Army Reserve, CA Army National Guard and State Military Reserve Petty Officer 3rd Class David Raymond Hernandez Jr. United States Air Force: Sr. Airman Alonso R. Arellano, SGT Alfredo Lugo United States Marine Corps: SSG Mario Salvador Rivas, SSG Efren Martinez, LCPL Luis Pizarro
The LBA salutes our outstanding men and women in uniform and thanks them for their selfless dedication and service in defense of our nation.
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Mandatory portion of Health Care Act hits snag with Latino Voters WASHINGTON D.C. - A new impreMedia/Latino Decisions poll shows Latino voters reflect the country’s general feelings toward the Affordable Health Care Act. The poll, which was conducted in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center for Health Policy at the University of New Mexico, found that Latino voters supported its provisions and opposed its repeal. The poll showed that 50 percent of Latino voters support the Affordable Health Care Act and while only 29 percent supported its repeal. But, when asked how they felt about it being mandatory to purchase insurance, 59 percent disagreed with this component of the Act. “Latino voters support the health care reform and in particular, they support many of its clauses except for the mandate...we see Latinos of more limited means are more concerned about it,” said Matt Barreto, a professor at the University of Washington, Seattle and advisor for Latino Decisions. Latinos could be rejecting the mandate based partly on the idea that those who do not comply with the mandate could be subject to a penalty, Barreto explained. Among respondents with incomes lower than $40,000 per year, 65 percent opposed it. - JOLA PR AWARDS FROM PAGE 14
Fashion & Beauty: Edelman Multicultural for "Suave Professionals: Desfilando Contigo" • Digital Public Relations: Reyes Entertainment for "The Longoria Affair" The evening was hosted by KNBC anchor Mekahlo Medina and made possible by sponsors RL Public Relations + Marketing; Sportivo; Wells Fargo; Goya Foods; Walt Disney Co.; Southern California Edison; Ketchum; VPE Public Relations; Edelman; Axis Agency; Union Bank; Bank of the West; Staples; Southern California Gas Co.; KNBC; and HPRA's official newswire distribution partner PR Newswire. - JOLA •
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work with Toyota on "Somos Muchos Latinos. Somos Muchos Toyota" Non-Profit Media Event: RL Public Relations for "Getty Museum Aztec Exhibition" Corporate Media Event: The Jeffrey Group & Fox Hispanic Media for its "Latino Entertainment. American Attitude" campaign Non-Profit: Public Education: Torres Marquez Communications for One Arizona for "Building Latino Political Power in Arizona" Healthcare: "LIVESTRONG Hispanic/ Latino Outreach" by LIVESTRONG & Edelman
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AMERICAN EXILE is a documentary film about two brothers, Valente and Manuel Valenzuela, both decorated veterans who volunteered and fought in Vietnam. Now, forty years later the Department of Homeland Security is trying to deport them to Mexico, a country they have not been to since childhood. For over sixty years they lived in the United States. They went to elementary school and played on the high school football team. They got married and had kids, then grandkids. They worked, bought homes and started their own construction business. Manuel opened a martial arts school. They joined veteran’s organizations and for decades they dawned their uniforms and marched in parades on Veteran’s day and the Fourth of July. Then came 9/11 and the Valenzuela brothers lives were forever changed. The government began checking people they believed were resident aliens for criminal records in an attempt to snare potential terrorists. They discovered Valente had been sentenced to take an anger management course because he got into a fight. Manuel’s name came up because he had been convicted of resisting arrest almost a decade ago and had paid a $350 fine. About a year and a half ago they both got notices of deportation. They were shocked. They thought it was a mistake. After all, their mother was American, born and brought up in New Mexico, and their father was a naturalized citizen. Both brothers were raised in Redford, Texas along the U.S.Mexico border and both had volunteered to serve in the military when many of their peers were fleeing to Canada and Mexico. The Department of Homeland Security countered that Valente and Manuel were actually born across the Rio Grande river in Palomas, Mexico and they are therefore in the country illegally. Confused, the brothers started using the internet to connect with and get advice from other veterans. They were astonished to discover they are not alone. Many veterans are facing deportation or in their words, “exile.” Now comes the opportunity to tell all of there stories. But, to do that, we need your support. Please take a moment and make the donation you can to make this important film.
Congratulations to National Institute For Latino Policy
NiLP President Angelo received a Citation. Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez was also present.