¡Alto Arizona!

Un nuevo movimiento por los derechos civiles prende en Arizona #altoarizona #SB1070

Decenas de miles de personas se manifiestan en Phoenix contra la nueva ley de inmigración.- El movimiento se extiende por otros Estados lejanos de gran población hispana

GUILLERMO ALTARES | ENVIADO ESPECIAL, PHOENIX 29/05/2010

El País, España 

 

La referencia no puede ser más clara. En la marcha que hoy ha reunido durante todo el día decenas de miles de personas en Phoenix contra la nueva ley de inmigración de Arizona, las palabras Selma Birmingham o Martín Luther King se pronunciaban constantemente. La movilización contra la ley SB 1070 -que comenzará a aplicarse el 29 de julio y que permite a la policía parar a cualquier persona que sospeche que pueda estar de forma irregular en el país y pedirle sus papeles- ha tomado como modelo el movimiento por los derechos civiles que en los años cincuenta y sesenta cambió para siempre este país.

"Lo tenía en la pared de casa y lo he sacado a pasear", señala Beny, de 60 años, un estadounidense de origen alemán, que ha acudido a la marcha con un cartel enmarcado del pastor que inició en Montgomery (Alabama) la lucha por los derechos de los negros. "Peleo también por los derechos de mis nietos, sospechosos por el color de su cuero. Con esta ley se puede llevar al bote a cualquier persona solo por el color de su cuero", insiste Beny en un colorido castellano. En la parte de abajo del cartel ha colocado una foto de sus dos nietos, mulatos; encima puede leerse una de las frases más célebres del doctor King: "El odio sólo lleva al odio".

La mayoría de los asistentes a la marcha era de origen mexicano: en total en Arizona se calcula que hay unos 460.000 inmigrantes irregulares, según datos del Pew Hispanic Center (la población hispana roza el 38% de los seis millones de habitantes del Estado). No obstante, muchos esperan que las cifras del nuevo censo, previsto para este mismo año, sean inferiores porque bastantes irregulares preferirán no abrir sus puertas a cualquiera que se presente con un carné oficial. Pero, también porque muchos mexicanos están comenzando a instalarse en Estados vecinos, lejos de las huestes de Joe Arpaio, sheriff del condado de Maricopa (al que pertenece Phoenix), famoso por sus durísimos métodos y uno de los personajes más insultados durante la marcha.

@jennirivera singing right now in Phoenix, saying "#ALTOARIZONA and STOP #SB1070!

 

Famous mexican singer joins people in Arizona to ask President Obama STOP SB1070. "Before getting on this stage, I was marching with my people, as a proud mexican", says Rivera, excited to be in front of her people. VIVA LA RAZA!

#altoarizona 4 MILES of people in Arizona saying STOP #SB1070 and NO TO #RACIALPROFILE

 

 Numbers are not final yet, but we estimate more than 100,000 people marching on the streets of downtown Phoenix to say NO to SB1070 and asking Obama to intervene in Arizona NOW!

 

#altoarizona Arizona is marching and demanding LEGALIZE NOW! If capital can cross borders, so can we. National March against #racism

 

#altoarizona Hondurans march in Phoenix against #SB1070. No more #racialprofiling of latin americans

Hondurans from Los Angeles join march in Phoenix to denounce racial profiling against Latin Americans and demand President Obama to stop SB1070 and other racist immigration laws.   

 

#altoarizona Miles marchan en Phoenix para pedir a #Obama que detenga la #SB1070 inmediatamente

El director de la Red Nacional de Jornaleros, Pablo Alvarado, habla frente a las multitudes en Arizona para pedir al Presidente Obama que detenga la Ley SB1070 y todos los programas de cooperación entre Inmigración y la policía de los estados y de las ciudades.

“The President can do that, el Presidente puede hacer eso", concluye Alvarado. Vea el video de su discurso.

#altoarizona! Phoenix is rising! Thousands gather at Phoenix Steele Indian School Park to say no to #SB1070

Phoenix, AZ - Since 6 am people from all over the country gathered at the Steele Indian School Park in downtown Phoenix. Thousands of arizonians are standing up to say NO to SB1070. And people from California, Arkansas, Oregon, Texas, Maryland, DC, Florida and Louisiana came all the way down to Phoenix to say "we are here" and "sí se puede!".

Take a view from the stage as people gather in tens of thousands, listening to the music, while waiting for speakers and the march to start.

Word from the Streets: The State of Hate

via South Florida Times

By Badili Jones

Looking toward Arizona through the smoky haze of hate coming from that state’s legislature, I, as an African American, must stand with those who oppose the new, racist laws in the border state.

I stand up because I know that the history of African Americans in this country is intertwined with the history of immigration in this country. My ancestors were brought to this country (“legally,” I might add) to do the kind of back-breaking labor that set the foundation for this country to become the richest in the world. 

My family traces its roots back to the early 18th century. As far back as we can remember, both sides of my family worked in the tobacco fields, cut timber, and worked as skilled laborers in Virginia.

My great grandfather, Pompy Scott, was born in 1781.  The year 1790 saw the first immigration law in our young country, stating that only free “white” immigrants were eligible to be naturalized as citizens.

My ancestors at that time were not citizens. No black man or woman, slave or free, could be a citizen then. The native people, whose land was being stolen along with our labor, were not citizens. In fact, no person of color who immigrated to the U.S. could be naturalized as a citizen until 1952. 

¡Alto Arizona! AB Quintanilla y Los Kumbia Allstarz Speak Out

AB Quintanilla y Los Kumbia Allstarz speak out about Arizona's new Senate Bill 1070. Sign the petition at altoarizona.com and come to the National Day of Action in Phoenix, AZ on May 29, 2010.

¡Alto Arizona! AB Quintanilla y Los Kumbia Allstarz Speak Out from NDLON on Vimeo.

Podcast: Foes of AZ Immigration Law Plan National March on Phoenix (#SB1070)

Public-News-Service_Podcast-Audio Click Here

May 26, 2010

PHOENIX - More than 50,000 people are expected to march through downtown Phoenix on Saturday, May 29, to protest Arizona's new immigration law.

The law requires authorities to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are in the country illegally. Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, a restaurateur, says Mexican-American citizens are horrified at the prospect of being arrested and deported for lack of documents.

"I have people coming to my restaurant, just in fear. Older people who have been here and their families have been here, are now asking, 'Should I get a passport to protect myself?'"

Organizers are also expanding a national boycott of companies linked with campaign contributions to supporters of the new law. That boycott began with picketing at Arizona Diamondbacks baseball games. One of the latest targets is a beer distributorship largely owned by the wife of Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain.

Alfredo Gutierrez, who chairs the Arizona Boycott Committee, says a political action committee controlled by the distributor has contributed heavily to lawmakers responsible for the new Arizona law.

Highest Grossing female Mexican Regional Tour Artist, Jenni Rivera, Lends Voice to Defend the People of #Arizona

For Immediate Release  // Excuse Cross Postings // Please Forward

Contact: 
Mario Larios, 011 (5255) 55 75 5208  mario_larios@hotmail.com
Sarahi Uribe, NDLON.  202.285.9673

Date: 
May 27, 2010

 

Highest Grossing female Mexican Regional Tour Artist, Jenni Rivera, Lends Voice to Defend the People of Arizona
Joins International Movement for Human Rights Against SB 1070

 
(Phoenix, AZ) La Gran Señora, Jenni Rivera, joins the movement against SB 1070 with a live concert at the end of Saturday’s march from Indian Steele Park to the State Capitol.
 
The legendary winner of “Best Artist of the Year” in 2009 from Premios de la Radio and leader of the Regional Mexican genre, Jenni Rivera, answers the call of the people of Arizona for a leader and a voice to represent their struggles. While other artists have contributed their names, Jenni has offered to present herself on May 29, 2010, at the Capitol stage at the culmination of the march that will bring thousands of people together to join in Jenni Rivera’s plea to end this vicious attack on the immigrant and Latino community as whole.
 
As the daughter of immigrants herself and a proud mother of five, Rivera takes her role as a Mexican American artist seriously. She performs to be the voice of her people, to assert dignity in the face of this insulting law. Jenni Rivera has connected with fans through her own struggles and is an icon of perseverance and hope.

NDLON ORGANIZES SOLIDARITY BUS RIDE TO NATIONAL CONVERGENCE AGAINST #SB1070

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 27, 2010

NDLON ORGANIZES SOLIDARITY BUS RIDE TO NATIONAL CONVERGENCE AGAINST SB 1070

Over 200 Solidarity Riders Will Travel on 4 Buses from Los Angeles to Phoenix to Protest Arizona’s Newest Anti-Immigrant Law

What: A SOLIDARITY CARAVAN of over 200 workers, activists, students and community members will be riding on 4 buses to Phoenix, AZ to join with a national convergence for a nighttime festival of human rights and the National Day of Action against SB 1070 on May 29th.

Where: From Los Angeles and San Bernardino, CA to Phoenix, AZ, 675 S. Park View St. Los Angeles, CA 90057

When: Caravan leaves from Los Angeles at 8:30 AM on Tuesday May 28, 2010

Who: The National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), students, teachers, community members and workers

¡#AltoArizona! La Maldita Vecindad speaks out about Arizona's new #SB1070 in D.F.

La Maldita Vecindad speaks out about Arizona's new Senate Bill 1070 in Cuidad de Mexico. Sign the petition at altoarizona.com and come to the National Day of Action in Phoenix, AZ on May 29, 2010.

¡Alto Arizona! La Maldita Vecindad from Barni Qaasim on Vimeo.

Justice Department poised to challenge #Arizona Immigration Law (#SB1070)

WASHINGTON - Top Justice Department officials have drafted a legal challenge that could be filed in federal court in Arizona asserting that the state's new immigration law is unconstitutional because it impinges on the federal government's inherent authority to police the nation's Southwest border with Mexico, sources said Wednesday.

At the same time, the government officials said, the department's civil rights division is considering possible legal action against the law on the basis that it amounts to racial profiling of Latinos who are legally in Arizona but conceivably could be asked to provide documents proving their citizenship.

Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday met with 10 police chiefs who object to the law, and he promised them he would act on the recommendations "soon," a spokesman said. The police chiefs urged him and the Obama administration, which has reservations about the Arizona law, to stop it from going into effect because they said it would seriously hamper local police work if officers are asked to serve as border police.

"He did say that the Justice Department is seriously considering what they would do and that could come very soon," said Chuck Wexler, director of the Police Executive Research Forum, a think tank that helped coordinate the meeting between the police chiefs and Holder.

One of the chiefs who met with Holder was Los Angeles Chief Charlie Beck, who said afterward he told Holder that "legislation like this inhibits us from doing our jobs" and will deter immigrants from reporting crimes, either as victims or witnesses.

Racist Sign Appears on Florida Highway

If we have ever heard of anti-immigrant climate before, there is no doubt we are much worst from the last time you heard that. Not only there is a growing anti-immigrant feeling, but it’s definitely an anti-Latino sentiment that is taking the nation.

Today, a password-protected sign in Florida was hacked and read “NO LATINOS” and “NO TACOS”. Many people might say, “so what? What’s the big deal?” Well the problem is not that is the most discriminatory thing that has happened to the Latino community lately (Still remember SB1070?), but it shows how blunt and public a public discourse of discrimination is becoming.

“Nobody died because of the sign!” someone told me today. Well, I know that, but I also know that someone did die a couple of weeks ago, someone killed presumably because of an argument that the person had on the new anti-immigrant law in Arizona. Somebody did die last year when a Mexican immigrant father and her daughter were killed by a couple of anti-immigrant minutemen in southern Arizona.

The anti-immigrant climate caused by the Arizona law has elevated the rhetoric against immigrants in the country, tied always to the Latino community. What would happen if a sign like that was directed against the African-American community? Would they effectively come out against it? Would the NAACP organize a press conference by tomorrow? Would they organize better in dire times like the ones the Latino community is currently living? Would they form better coalitions, and make this a human rights issue? Probably nobody can answer those questions, probably nobody will die from the elevated rhetoric, probably we just say SI Se Puede and it seems we believe it less. But one thing is for sure, the debate is heated, and there is a fire vs. fire battle going on from both sides, and strategic thinking is not being part of the debate, only emotions, deep emotions.

(via ILikeBreaks.com)

STOP #SB1070 AND THE CRIMINALIZATION OF #IMMIGRANTS. SUPPORT THE PEACEFUL RESISTANCE AGAINST HATE IN #ARIZONA. BUY THE MOST RECENT DAY LABORER BAND ALBUM!

Wednesday, May 26

Dear Friends and Allies,

In an effort to raise funds for the organizing and litigation effort in Arizona against SB 1070, Los Jornaleros del Norte, the people's band, have released a 10-track CD titled, "Que No Pare la Lucha," their third album release. With their new album, Los Jornaleros again put music to life, work, struggle and hope.

The release of their album could not be more timely. With the upcoming National Day of Action on May 29th in Phoenix, AZ, Los Jornaleros will once again lend their talents and passion for music and social justice to the march and rally, uniting the immigrant community and their allies under a common goal: Peace, Dignity and Justice for All.

Because the organizing efforts do require lots of resources, personnel, and legal fees, Los Jornaleros have decided to donate all of the proceeds of their album to the AltoArizona campaign. We are encouraging your support to this effort by going to the AltoArizona music site, purchasing the album (only $10, or more, if you wish) and sharing the link with family and friends on your social networks.

AltoArizona has made it as easy as possible to preview the album, purchase and share links to the music online. The title track, Que No Pare la Lucha, is available for free download.

#Deportation Nightmare: Eduardo Caraballo, US Citizen Born In Puerto Rico, Detained As #Illegal #Immigrant

Eduardo Caraballo, a U.S. citizen born in the United States, was detained for over three days on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant.

Despite presenting identifying documents and even his birth certificate, Caraballo was held by federal immigration authorities over the weekend and threatened with deportation, according to an NBC Chicago report. He was only released when his congressman, Luis Gutierrez -- a vocal supporter of immigration reform -- intervened on his behalf.

(Scroll down for video of Caraballo and Rep. Gutierrez.)

Caraballo was born in Puerto Rico, making him a natural-born citizen of the United States. He moved to the mainland as an infant, and now lives in Chicago.

Last week, NBC reports that he was arrested in connection with a stolen car in Berwyn. Caraballo maintains his innocence. In any case, when his mother posted bail on Friday, he was not freed.

"Instead of being released, he was told by authorities that Immigration and Customs Enforcement was detaining him because he was an illegal immigrant," NBC reports.

Caraballo spent the weekend in the custody of federal immigration agents. When he presented them with ID and his birth certificate, he says officials were skeptical: "Because of the way I look, I have Mexican features, they pretty much assumed that my papers were fake."

#Arizona: A Critical Resistance Boycott (#SB1070)

By Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez

The first rule of any boycott is to keep your eyes on the prize; translated, this means never lose sight of the big picture.

*RUSHING TOWARDS APARTHEID: *Arizona is speeding towards an apartheid state. Some of this rush has to do with repressive laws (including the legalization of racial profiling and the elimination of ethnic studies) that have been recently signed by the governor. Truthfully, however, this move pre-exists the recent legislation and much of the repression against the Mexican community here is also historical in nature and it is actually nationwide.

On the surface, it is about migration issues. Yet if we probe a little deeper, it’s about the Browning of Arizona. Probe some more and you will see that much of the hate has little to do with peoples’ legal status. That’s where English-Only and the new anti-ethnic studies law comes in. It is not simply about our physical presence (red-brown), but about our culture –which is thousands of years old and Indigenous to this continent. In this sense, it is beyond physical removal and even beyond thought-control; this is about our souls (they can’t have them).

*THE PRINCIPAL TARGETS: *Mexicans-Central Americans in this country are the primary targets. Also generally targeted are Indigenous red-brown peoples from the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Tragically, in the end, as state and federal governments defend themselves against racial profiling charges, they will move toward a checkpoint society in which officials will demand documentation of everyone in the country, of all ages and at all times.

Telemundo transmite programa histórico desde Arizona sobre la SB1070

 En la madrugada de ayer, 24 de mayo, el pueblo de Phoenix estuvo presente en una emisión del programa "Levántate" de Telemundo. 

Lo que hace esta transmisión especial es que es la primera vez que se realiza en directo desde Phoenix para todo el país y además para otros 17 países de América Latina.

Telemundo decidió venir a Arizona para apoyar a la comunidad hispana en este momento cuando está siendo atacada por la Ley estatal de inmigración SB1070 que convierte en criminales a todos los migrantes indocumentados y a quienes los apoyan o ayudan.

El llamado de Telemundo fue escuchado por la población latina de Phoenix. Desde las 4 de la mañana, a pesar del frío de la madrugada desértica, madres, trabajadores, estudiantes, se agolparon frente a la tarima ubicada en el Parque Civic Space en pleno centro de la ciudad. "Paren el odio" y "Obama, detenga la SB1070 ahora", clamaban los carteles del público.

Sending The Wrong Message At The Wrong Time for Tennessee

TN Legislators have approved resolution HJR 1253 to "commend" Arizona for their much maligned bill SB 1070, which mandates racial profiling (among other terrible things) in an misguided attempt to enforce federal immigration laws.

See for yourself. Here's an excerpt:

WHEREAS, on April 19, 2010, the Arizona State Legislature passed the "Support Our
Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," which Governor Jan Brewer signed into law on
April 23, 2010, calling the measure "another step forward in protecting the State of Arizona";

...

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that this body hereby honors and commends the State of Arizona....

Yes, this resolution does nothing. Yes, there are more dangerous bills to worry about. Yes, this is just politics at its worst.

But, that's not the point.

The impact of this resolution is to send a message about TN's position in this national debate. And if that's the case, it couldn't be coming at a worse time.

On The Rise: KKK, Skinheads & More Hate Groups Moving Into #Arizona (Video)

¡Alto Arizona! Cesar Lopez

César López speaking out against Arizona's SB1070. Sign the petition at altoarizona.com and come to the National Day of Action in Phoenix, AZ on May 29, 2010

¡Alto Arizona! Cesar Lopez from Barni Qaasim on Vimeo.

¡Alto Arizona! Arielle from Casa Latinas

Arielle from Casa Latinas Seattle, WA speaking out against Arizona's SB1070. Sign the petition at altoarizona.com and come to the National Day of Action in Phoenix, AZ on May 29, 2010

¡Alto Arizona! Arielle from Casa Latinas from Barni Qaasim on Vimeo.

Arielle from Casa Latinas Seattle, WA speaking out against Arizona's SB1070. Sign the petition at altoarizona.com and come to the National Day of Action in Phoenix, AZ on May 29, 2010

¡Alto Arizona! Isabel Garcia, Pima County Public Defender and Derechos Humanos member speaking out against #Arizona's #SB1070

Isabel Garcia, Pima County Public Defender and Derechos Humanos member speaking out against Arizona's SB1070. Sign the petition at altoarizona.com and come to the National Day of Action in Phoenix, AZ on May 29, 2010.

¡Alto Arizona! Isabel Garcia from Barni Qaasim on Vimeo.

¡Alto Arizona! Malachi Larrabee-Garza from CJNY

Malachi Larrabee-Garza from CJNY in Oakland, CA speaking out against Arizona's SB1070. Sign the petition at altoarizona.com and come to the National Day of Action in Phoenix, AZ on May 29, 2010

¡Alto Arizona! Malachi from Barni Qaasim on Vimeo.