The Journal On ISSUE 1, VOL. 1
A PUBLICATION OF POP-9 COMMUNICATIONS"
ISSUE 11, VOL. 1AUGUST 31, 2011 A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION DECEMBER 3, 2011
LATINO AMERICANS
OUSTED! INSIDE THIS ISSUE: • Experts Chime in on GOP Candidates - Page 4 • American GI Forum: 63 Years of Civil Rights - Page 8 • Analysis of Unauthorized Immigrants - Page 10 • Somos Republicans Founder Resigns - Page 16
PROFILE:
Flores left out again
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NOTES FROM THE PUBLISHER....
A lesson on Civil Rights... It appears that November of each year proves to be very interesting, especially on election years. But, November of 2011, an election off year, will undoubtedly go down in history as another civil rights victory. The recall of Arizona Sen. Russell Pearce is historical for the state and a lesson on civil rights. The power demonstrated when people and organizations of differing perspectives unit to address a mutual hurtful situation was demonstrated on the November 8, 2011 election. Republicans, democrats, Anglos and Latinos came together to rid themselves of Mr. Pearce because of his personal agenda that was sinking the state’s economy, turning off moderate voters, and heating up Latino election involvement. All except the latter are serious issues for both political parties. Heating up Latino political involvement is detrimental to the GOP. Arizonans merely need to look to their neighbor to the west, California, where GOP political zealots felt they could make Latinos a scapegoat to win reelection in 1994. Today, the GOP is not relevant in California politics because Latino voters are overwhelmingly Democrat versus Republican. As the Arizona population becomes predominantly Latino, so will the political growth of the Democrats. For this reason, it made much sense for GOP moderates to support a Pearce recall. In politics, it is about the survival of the fittest, and weakening a party by alienating Latino voters is not a fit approach to win elections.
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.
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CONTENTS Expert Opinions on GOP Candidates ......Page 4 FEATURE: Pearce Recalled in Arizona ...... Page 6 American GI Forum: Fighting for Civil Rights for 63 years ......Page 8 STUDY: Analysis of immigrants in the U.S. ......Page 10 TOP TEN REASONS: Why the Grammys left out Tejano music ......Page 11 Stories of Deported Veterans ......Page 12 Flores left out of Pro Football Hall of Fame ......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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NOVEMBER 5, 2011
POLITICS
EXPERT PERSPECTIVE: GOP Extreme Right Position Imperials Competitiveness with Latino Voters
Washington, DC – On a press call, experts in Latino politics and public opinion discussed the recent back and forth over immigration in the Republican presidential primary contest and helped to put the debate over immigration into its proper policy and political context. The speakers were unanimous in two assessments – that the Republican field has moved far to the right in comparison to the proposals discussed during the comprehensive reform debates of 2006 and 2007, and that the GOP’s move to the extreme right will significantly damage its nominee’s ability to compete for Latino voters in the 2012 general election. Newt Gingrich’s proposal for a path to legalization, but not toward citizenship, for a small number of undocumented immigrants has focused attention on the question of what to do with the 11 million undocumented immigrants currently settled in the U.S. Despite his past support for comprehensive immigration reform, Mitt Romney is now positioning himself as a supporter of mass deportation and labeling anything short of the mass expulsion of 11 million people as “amnesty,” including the Gingrich proposal. 4
As Gary Segura, Professor at Stanford University and Principal of Latino Decisions noted on the call, this is a damaging political strategy in light of public opinion among general election voters, both Latino and non-Latino. Said Segura, “Our recent polling found that once you control for one’s economic preference, hostility to immigrants hurts candidates among the general electorate. It’s not the case that you do better with the American electorate by bashing immigrants, certain Republican
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primary audiences excluded." Other speakers focused on the fact that Gingrich’s “red card” proposal falls well short of the comprehensive immigration reform plan of 2006 that received the backing of 23 Republican Senators and President George W. Bush. Angela Kelley, Vice President for Immigration Policy and Advocacy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund said, “The debate has changed dramatically. In the Republican primary today, there’s been a lot of chest thumping but it has not yet developed into smart policy. Republicans can maximize their chances if they focus on issues like immigration, but they are drinking a slow poison by taking the extreme positions they've been taking." Frank Sharry, Executive Director, America’s Voice noted that the Republican rhetoric and policy on the campaign trail means that the eventual nominee will have a difficult time reaching the 40% threshold of support among Latino voters that a Republican candidate will need to win the White House. Said Sharry, “The past debates over comprehensive immigration reform weren’t about amnesty, they were aboutaccountability. There was a recognition by policymakers that there is no pathway currently for those here or many overseas. Instead, we have a broken immigration system where people who have been here for decades have no line to get into. That’s why you have to create new pathways in any serious policy proposal.”
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For more resources, visit: •
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Link to recording of the call: http:// americasvoiceonline.org/page/-/ americasvoice/audio/ GOP112911.mp3 America’s Voice Report on GOP 2012 Candidates and Immigration: Why Do Elephants Put their Heads in the Sand? Latino Decisions Polling on Republican Immigration Rhetoric: http:// latinodecisions.wordpress.com/ 2011/11/25/republican-rhetoric-onimmigration-reform-and-voteropinion/ Center for American Progress Report titled, "The Path to 270: Demographics Versus Economics in the 2012 Presidential Election"
America's Voice -- Harnessing the power of American voices and American values to win common sense immigration reform. www.americasvoiceonline.org
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COVER STORY
Voters Say “No Mas” to Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce Collaborative effort elects moderate Republican to replace Pearce All Photos By Carlos Galindo
“Axis of Evil” Broken: Russell Pearce and Gov Jan Brewer
PHOENIX, AZ - What many believed would probably never happen, did. Latinos and nonLatinos, Democrats and Republicans all worked together to remove one of America’s most disliked elected public officials, Sen. Russell Pearce. Elected to Arizona’s 18th Senate District in 2008, Pearce’s rise in politics was on the backs of residents who were unable to prove their citizenship status. His record attacking this mostly defenseless group dates back to his days as a member of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department where he served for 23 years, including as Chief Deputy Sheriff under Joe Arpaio. Once perceived as unstoppable, the Mesa, Arizona born Pearce became President of the Arizona State Senate and quickly seized its power to promote his obsession in ridding the state of Hispanic immigrants. His most notorious legislation was Senate Bill (SB) 1070, which essentially would have given cart-blanche for law enforcement to stop all Hispanics or anyone looking Hispanic, and be detained until they could prove their legal residency status. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer quickly signed the bill to ensure Pearce’s support for her reelection. Even after a major portion of SB 1070 was ruled unconstitutional, Pearce continued his antiimmigrant rhetoric. He called legislators who opposed his views as “traitors” and even created a threatening environment for a fellow Republican senator who voted against one of Pearce’s bills. “He’s just unstoppable,” former state Representative Bill Konopnicki told an LA Time reporter earlier this year. “He is willing to do whatever it takes to change the world because he thinks he has some divine calling.”
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Pearce grew up in a troubled home with an alcoholic father and a mother who would not accept groceries donated to them by their neighbors and friends. Although he wanted to go to medical school, they could not afford it, so he opted to join the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department. In 1965, he joined the United States Army and served in the Arizona National Guard
Pearce informed of Recall
during the Vietnam War. As Chief Deputy Sheriff, Pearce had a disagreement with Sheriff Joe Arpaio, resulting in him moving to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division. In 1995, he became Director of the Division and enrolled the state in the national “Driver’s License Registry,” which was optional for states. The program encouraged the verification of social security numbers before a drivers license could be issued. The number was then printed on the face of the drivers license, an action that was terminated by the Arizona State Legislature.
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J.T. Ready (facing) with friends
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Sheriff Joe Arpio (back) with Pearce
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Recall winner Jerry Lewis
Pearce’s tenure as Arizona’s Motor Vehicle Division Director was terminated in 1999 after two of his employees were found guilty of tampering with a women’s driving record. He quickly stated that the investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing, a statement that was clarified by his superiors to mean no charges were filed against him. During the 2000s, Pearce began aligning himself with extreme views on immigration, including calling for the renewal of “Operation Wetback,” a 1950s approach at removing Hispanics Pearce faces Press after being recalled unable to prove their legal residency status. In addition he supported the candidacy of known neonazi J.T. Ready for Mesa City Council. He later denied knowing Ready that well even though records showed Pearce ordained Ready as a Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In October of 2010, Pearce’s SB 1070 was found by NPR to be a vehicle for an organization called the Corrections Corporation of America, a private firm that identified immigrant detention as their next big market for business. But, it was Pearce’s opposition of $7 billion federal support for Arizona’s Medicade Program, affecting one million residents, that began his slide as a political powerhouse. Pearce’s vulnerability became evident in early 2011, especially after his son Joshua was arrested for two outstanding warrants. Seeing an opportunity, a group called Citizens for a Better Arizona gathered over 18, 300 signatures to recall Pearce and on July Above: A jubilant Jerry Lewis to replace Pearce 12, 2011, Governor Jan Brewer called for a special Below: Pearce discusses options with staff November election. Citizens for a Better Arizona was comprised of democrats, independents, republicans, Anglos and Hispanics with one goal, to heal the divided Mesa Pearce had created. However, other Republican legislators have revealed their extremism since, especially in Southern states. This extremism is having a devastating economic and voter consequence. So, will this coalition continue even though Latino GOP support is dissolving? - JOLA 7
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The American GI Forum: 63 years of civil rights battles
It was on March 26, 1948 that Dr. Hector Perez Garcia, an Army veteran physician, established perhaps the most significant organization to combat prejudice against Mexican Americans in the history of the United States, the American GI Forum. Upon returning to U.S. soil after serving as military servicemen and women during World War II, many Hispanics experienced significant segregation and prejudice. Veteran medical services and educational guarantees were being denied, while others were unable to even vote. The American GI Forum (AGIF) took charge of veteran issues and quickly expanded to other civil rights issues as they impacted veterans and non-veterans alike. However, there were two specific cases that made the AGIF the most successful civil rights organization in the U.S.
Dr. Hector P. Garcia (1914-1996)
THE LONGORIA AFFAIR In 1949, an incident happened in the small Texas community of Three Rivers, where a local funeral parlor director refused the use of the chapel to wake the remains of Private Felix Longoria. Best known as “The Longoria Affair,” the widow of Longoria sought the assistance of Dr. Garcia. The incident brought national attention to the issue and to the AGIF, especially when Texas U.S. Senator Lyndon B. Johnson intervened with assistance. As a result, Longoria’s remains were interned in Arlington Cemetery with full military honors and a strong bond was established between Dr. Garcia and Sen. Johnson. In 1959, Sen. Johnson brought in Dr. Gar-
cia and the AGIF to assist in registering Mexican Americans to vote for a young Senator from Massachusetts, John F. Kennedy, for President of the United States. The AGIF registered tens of thousands of new voters as members of the Democratic Party, and many attribute this effort as to why Latinos today lean more to the Democratic Party than the Republican Party. Although many promises were made to the AGIF regarding Presidential appointments, they did not materialize until Sen. Johnson became President. The number of Mexican Americans Presidential appointees was not matched again until President Bill Clinton.
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HERNANDEZ VS. TEXAS In 1953, Pedro Hernandez, an agricultural worker, was found guilty of killing Joe Espinosa. The trial was held with an all Anglo jury in a county that had not allowed any Mexican American to be part of the jury in over 25 years. Upon being found guilty, lawyers for the AGIF, which had joined with the League of United Latin American Council (LULAC) took the case and filed an appeal which eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Chief Justice Earl Warren and the rest of the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Hernandez’ rights had been violated under the Fourteenth Amendment. Specifically, AGIF and LULAC attorneys successfully argued that Hernadez had not been judged by a jury of his peers. The Court’s decision expanded coverage of the 14th Amendment to include Mexican Americans in addition to White and African American.
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Sen. Johnson and Dr. Garcia
OTHER AGIF ACTIVITIES Since its establishment, and through the leadership of Dr. Garcia, the AGIF has been Hernandez v. Texas Team actively involved in civil rights issues that molded political thought to eventually sign and approve the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This included raising funds to address the poll tax, which was repealed in 1966, and to fight the Bracero Program, which was found to exploit migrant laborers in a study commissioned by the AGIF called “What Price Webacks.” Because of AGIF involvement, President Tex Gov Rick Perry Kennedy appointed Dr. Garcia to represent the U.S. at the Federation of West Indies mutual defense treaty discussions. In addition, Dr. Garcia, who was appointed as Alternate Ambassador to the United Nations, made the first presentation to the U.N. in a language other than English. Recruitment Flier Am Indian AGIF Dr. Hector P. Garcia passes away on July provide services, assistance and training to 26, 1996, but his legacy continues as the AGIF returning veterans, their families, and affected communities. with Chapters all over the country, continue to 9
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New Study: An Analysis of Unauthorized Immigrants Most have been in U.S. 15 years WASHINGTON D.C. - Nearly twothirds of the 10.2 million unauthorized adult immigrants in the United States have lived in this country for at least 10 years and nearly half are parents of minor children, according to new estimates by the Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center. These estimates are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau's March 2010 Current Population Survey, augmented with the Center's analysis of the d e m o g r a p h i c characteristics of the unauthorized immigrant population using a "residual estimation methodology" that the Center has employed for many years. The characteristics of this population have become a source of renewed interest in the wake of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's recent endorsement of a proposal to create a path for unauthorized immigrants to gain legal status if they have lived in the country for a long period of time; have children in the U.S.; pay taxes and belong to a church. Several of Gingrich's opponents for the Republican presidential nomination have criticized the 10
proposal as a form of amnesty that would encourage more immigrants to come to the U.S. illegally. The Pew Hispanic analysis finds that 35% of unauthorized adult immigrants have resided in the U.S. for 15 years or more; 28% for 10 to 14 years; 22% for 5 to 9 years; and 15% for less than five years. The Center's analysis also finds that the share that has been in the country at least 15 years has more than doubled since 2000, when about one-in-six (16%) unauthorized adult immigrants had lived here for that duration. By the same token, the share of unauthorized adult immigrants who have lived in the country for less than five years has fallen by half during this period----from 32% in 2000 to 15% in 2010. The rising share of unauthorized immigrants who have been in the U.S. for a long duration reflects the fact that the sharpest growth in this population occurred during the late 1990s and early 2000s----
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and that the inflow has slowed down significantly in recent years, as the U.S. economy has sputtered and border enforcement has tightened. It also reflects the fact that relatively few long-duration unauthorized immigrants have returned to their countries of origin. The Pew Hispanic analysis also finds that nearly half (46%) of unauthorized adult immigrants today----about 4.7 million people----are parents of minor children. By contrast, just 38% of legal immigrant adults and 29% of U.S.-born adults are parents of minor children. Hispanics by their citizenship and legal status. It was authored by Paul Taylor, Director, Pew Hispanic Center; Mark Hugo Lopez, Associate Director, Pew Hispanic Center; Jeffrey Passel, Senior Demographer, Pew Hispanic Center; and, Seth Motel, Research Assistant. The full report is available at the Pew Hispanic Center's redesigned website. The website's new features include a data gallery highlighting Latinos' lives in numbers, interactive features, more topical content and easier navigation. The Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center, is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy research organization based in Washington, D.C. and is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts. - JOLA
TOP Ten reasons they are discontinuing the Best Tejano Album from the Grammy’s By Al Carlos Hernandez, Latino LA
10. They want to concentrate on the profane obscene no talented members of society. 9. Emilio Estefan couldn’t find a way to rig it. 8. The 2nd Rate Latin Grammy’s killed the real Grammys for American Latinos. 7. If Tejano music was sung in English it could win most Country music categories. 6. There were only ten submissions last year, you need 25. 5. Little Joe Hernandez ran out of thank you speeches. 4. It will merge with Best Regional Mexican or Tejano Album category, so non Americans will win every year from now on. 3. Texas is a beautiful place; Tejanos are a beautiful race… 2. The Grammy committee is made up of Las Vegas/New Jersey boxing judges. 1. La Onda Chicana is not about Grammys, its about Ganas. 11
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The Deportation of American GIs Hundreds of U.S. Veterans face deportation or are being deported due to a flaw in policy
By Hector Barajas US Airborne SPC Deported!
“damn ...couldn’t help but to break down and cry... This time its tears of Joy... Even though I don’t have my ‘lil “chikiboo...” She’s just the most precious ‘lil girl and she loves me...regardless of who I am or where I am... It feels good... Spc B Deported..Man there ain’t no Love better than a child’s love...” - Hector Barajas entry on his Facebook page
Stories from BanishedVeterans.info Hector Barajas, US Army 82nd Airborne Spc. A legal permanent resident. Served during Nov 95 thru Nov 2001. Received 2 honorable discharges. During his military career he received and 2 AAM´s , Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense, Army Service Medal and Humanitarian Medal, He also served proudly with the 407th Golden 12
Griffins C Co, ·307th FSB Renegades C Co., WBAMC, Shortly after his discharge from the military he got in trouble with the law, paid his debt to society, during his incarceration he received multiple diplomas and rehabilitation. Upon his release he had an immigration hold. He could not believe
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his country would turn his back on him. He was chained and flown to Arizona by the US Marshals. With no legal help and nobody to turn to. He represented himself and was eventually deported. in 2003, He fought his case for over 6 months, He used the argument that he was a US National and that he could not be deported because of his military oath and permanent allegiance to the United States. The judge told him he had to deport him, thanked him for his service. The judge also said if he was a combat veteran or served during war time he could not be deported. If Mr. Barajas had only known that after 9-11 the President put all the military in
conflict status, he might have not been deported. Even still there have been many Combat veterans who keep getting deported. The government says he wasn’t a National or an American, even though he wore the patch during his military career the double AA, All Americans 82nd Airborne, there was never a distinction of where he was born and where his heart was at. He still believes in this country and proudly states he is a US Veteran. No matter where he goes as Fernando Cervantes put it...I will always be a United States Veteran.
Rohan Coombs; US Marine,Persian Gulf war Veteran,Jamaica Rohan came to America with his mom and sisters from Jamaica when he was only 9 years old. Rohan graduated from high school in New York and promptly joined the military to serve the country he loved. Rohan joined the marines in 1988 and was deployed to Iraq a few years later. While in the military Rohan filed for his citizenship but was told “You are property of the United States Government, that makes you a citizen”. No
further action was taken on Rohan’s part because he wasn’t going to second guess his commanding officer. It wasn’t until Rohan got out of the military with an honorable discharge that things started to go downhill for him. Rohan suffers from PTSD and was unable to recognize it. He started using marijuana to ease the suffering from what he saw in Iraq during combat. During this time his wife had passed away 4 days before Christmas. This was devastating to Rohan and like his PTSD he did not seek help with dealing with his wife’s death. He has been told he was a citizen for saying the oath to the military and for being told he was property of the U.S. and that made him a citizen. Now the judge in his case is telling him he is not a citizen and that he should be deported back to a country he hasn’t been to in over 30 years. This is a man who fought for our country….he didn’t even fight for a country where he was born. This is a man who unselfishly joined the military to serve a country he loved and now that country is turning its back on him. There is no justice right now for our veterans. There are over 30,000 who are facing this same dilemma. Please if you can help in any way!! Please help our veterans who fought for this country and suffer PTSD because of it. 13
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Legendary Twice Super Bowl Winning Coach, Tom Flores, Left Off the NFL Hall of Fame Semifinal List ~ Shame, Shame, NFL ~ By Joe Ortiz, It Seems To Me...
H e has FOUR Super Bowl Championship rings; one as a player, one as an assistant coach (under John Madden) and twice as head coach for the World Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders. But, that's not enough to convince the voters to consider inducting the first Mexican American quarterback and head coach in pro football, as well as the first General Manager of a professional football team (with the Tom Flores has distinguished himself in the pro-football community as few have (much less the fact he is a Latino) in the last 51 years, and still going strong as a color commentator for the Oakland Raiders Radio Network. He is already a member of the California Sports Hall of Fame and the old American Football (and holds several records as a quarterback in that fledgling) league that reached such profound football greatness it had to be considered legitimate enough in the course of its play that it caused having to merge with the established league. Had there been no merger football fans would not be enjoying the most significant sporting event in world history, the Super Bowl. How many current inductees in the NFL HOF can present a greater resume? The National Council of La Raza honored Flores this past summer with the coveted "Roberto Clemente Award for Sports Excellence" 14
in Washington, D.C., a gesture not based on a public relations ploy by the Mexican American community. It is aware (and it recognized) one individual from within its community that has not only distinguished himself above and beyond the norm, but has surpassed many of the accomplishments from other members of the predominate community with a commitment to excellence rarely experienced. If nothing else (and we all know there is a certain amount of politics that plays into the minds of the voters) the owners could have made note to the voters that based on the changing demographics, electing a Latino to the Hall of Fame would have been a stroke of public relations genius, which would obviously increase attendance. Obviously, it would have created a more
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Flores coaching Jim Plunkett
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Flores as quarterback, taking a breather
appreciated atmosphere towards a consumer that will soon be the largest paying customer in the sports community. Look out NFL, the game of soccer (which is favored by Latinos more than pro football) is rearing its ugly head. Oh well! CLICK HERE to see Tom Flores' acceptance speech‌it will make you proud to be an American CLICK HERE to see the list of the semifinalists for the 2012 National Football League Hall of Fame.
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Why DeeDee Garcia Blase left the GOP An interview with DeeDee Garcia Blase, Founder and former President of Somos Republicans and current President of the National Tequila Party By Justin Vélez-Hagan, Politic365 Senior Contributing Writer/Commentator THE COMPLETE INTERVIEW CAN BE HEARD HERE
PHOENIX, AZ -- It started off simply as a club for Republicans in Arizona. But, soon Somos Republicans transformed into something quite different after Blase and others became concerned about the work of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Arizona’s passage of SB1070, and the overall attitude towards undocumented immigrants in Arizona. “We wanted to prove that Republicans care about Latinos in the immigrant community,” said the Mexican-American Blase. “We were the only Latino Republican organization taking a stand against Republicans like [Governor] Jan Brewer and [State Senator] Russell Pearce.” Despite growing up Republican and still maintaining traditionally conservative views on the size of government, economic freedom, taxes, etc., Blase recently recanted her Republican Party affiliation, becoming an independent. “We need to send a message to the GOP that we need more [Republicans] to step up and be courageous,” said Blase. “Latino Republicans are becoming less and less influential in the political realm. The only way to effectively reform immigration is . . . via a non-partisan angle.” Holding fast to that principle, Blase now heads the non-partisan National Tequila Party Movement, whose mission is to increase Latino 16
voter participation. To prove the organization’s goal to maintain its nonpartisan status, Blase provided this exclusive announcement to Politic365: A Democratic activist will now be the organization’s co-President. What’s the next goal of the Tequila Party? Ensure the passage of national immigration reform by November 2012. Oh, that’s it? Blase obviously has no intention of setting her sights low. “They say it can’t be done, but they also said we couldn’t bring down Russell Pearce . . . That same fervor, passion, and energy that we put into bringing that bigot down will be brought to our effort to support immigration reform and the DREAM Act.” Don’t underestimate the seemingly soft-spoken and affable Blase. With an organization whose support has gained a national following, you don’t want to get on this firebrand’s bad side. Hear the full EXCLUSIVE interview here on Politic365, about Blase’s views on Marco Rubio and the importance of immigration on next years elections.
Christmas is just around the corner! We hope you’ll join us at our Christmas Celebration & Toy Drive as we celebrate the passing of 2011…while brightening the season for children! Thursday, December 15, 2011 6:30 – 11:00 P.M. La Villa Basque Restaurant 2801 Leonis Blvd. Vernon, CA 90058 The LBA concludes the year by expressing our appreciation for the generous, sustained support of our membership, sponsors and partners which make our activities throughout the year possible. At the same time, charitable donations of new, unwrapped toys bring smiles to underprivileged children in Los Angeles and spread the spirit of Christmas! Admission: One New, Unwrapped Toy (minimum value $20) or $20.00 Door Donation Please RSVP to: membership@lbausa.com
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NATIONAL ROUNDUP...
DECEMBER 3, 2011
Kennedy Center Honors Out Of Touch With American Latinos
First Latino White Sox Star Gets Felix Sanchez, Chairman/CEO of Terra Strategies Another Shot By Dan McGrath, Chicago News Cooperative Minnie Minoso’s unofficial title as the Jackie Robinson of Latin America never did much to advance his case as a Hall of Fameworthy ballplayer. Minoso, who was a hard-hitting left fielder for the White Sox over 12 years in the 1950s and ’60s, played with a flashy exuberance that helped make him a seven-time All-Star and a fan favorite. But he never received more than 21 percent of the vote in 15 years on the baseball writers’ ballot, with 75 percent required for induction. READ MORE…
GALEO launches Ga. Latino Vote 2012 campaign
By Staff ATLANTA - The GALEO Latino Community Development Fund and the GALEO Leadership Council announce the launching of the ¡Órale 10! initiative and the Georgia Latino Vote 2012 campaign. The Georgia Latino Vote campaign began in 2004 to further GALEO's mission of increasing "civic engagement and leadership" of the Latino community in Georgia. The Georgia Latino Vote campaign is the largest, nonpartisan Latino voter registration and voter mobilization campaign in Georgia. READ MORE…
Unemployment Rate Falls to TwoYear Low, But Not for Latinos
By Elizabeth Llorente, Fox News Latino Unemployment among Latinos remained the same between October and November, while for the general U.S. population it fell to a twoyear low, according to the Labor Department. The Latino jobless rate held at 11.4 percent in November, the same it was in October. The national unemployment rate, however, dropped ...READ MORE... 18
The Kennedy Center Honors is the annual Hollywood on the Potomac event, where legendary American actors, directors, choreographers, musicians and singers receive a national ovation from official Washington for their impressive careers. The bipartisan event is lead by the sitting president, first lady, vice president, cabinet, Supreme Court justices, speaker of the House, Senate majority and minority leaders, members of Congress, ambassadors, journalists, K Street power brokers and the cultural cognoscenti. This year, the president and Mrs. Obama will preside, for the third time, over these awards from their elegant center box overlooking both the audience and the performers. In the 33 years since the inception of the Kennedy Center Honors, there have been 165 honorees, but only two Latino honorees: Placido Domingo in 2000 and Chita Rivera in 2002. READ MORE…
Hispanic Caucus shifts gears toward restricting Alabama immigration law
By Mary Orndorff -- The Birmingham News WASHINGTON -- The members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus will meet next week with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to discuss enforcement of Alabama's immigration law, according to Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill. Gutierrez, a leading critic on Capitol Hill of states that try to police immigration themselves, said he wants the federal government's top immigration officials to emphasize that they will not deport illegal immigrants snagged in Alabama's dragnet unless they have a record of other crimes. READ MORE…
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DECEMBER 3, 2011
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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.