¡Alto Arizona!

¡Alto Arizona! Olmeca speaks out

Olmeca 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! Olmeca speaks out from Barni Qaasim on Vimeo.

#Arizona wants to reassign #teachers with accents (Video)

(CNN) - It's been a month since Arizona passed its controversial immigration law that sparked protests from coast to coast. Now, state education officials want immigrant teachers with heavy accents removed from classes for students who are still learning English. They say they are following federal guidelines set up by the Bush administration in 2002, but critics are calling it an ethnic witch hunt. Our Thelma Gutierrez looks at the new debate in this AM original report.

via American Morning - amFIX blog

Friday, May 28th - Join us for a Festival of Human Rights in Phoenix, AZ - The day before National Day of Action against #SB1070

Friday, May 28th

Join us for a Festival of Human Rights in Phoenix, AZ

The day before National Day of Action against SB1070

 

Special guest: ALEX of EL TRI 

Confirmed Bands: Los Jornaleros del Norte, Olmeca, Outernational, Grime, Fe of In Lak Ech, The Haymarket Squares, Mazameh (more to be added soon)

Additional activities: Art Show, Film Festival, Live Poster Printing, Cultural Marketplace

 

Where: El Portal, 2nd Avenue & Grant

Time: 6pm to 12am 

Details: $5 donation, all ages

 

For more information:

Tonatierra - 802 N 7th St - (602) 314-5870

www.puenteaz.org - www.altoarizona.com

Add Puente Arizona as your friend on Facebook and visit the event

 

May 29th: #ARIZONA STANDS AGAINST HATE, Get Ready to March against #SB1070 and Help Us! (English/Spanish)

May 29th: ARIZONA STANDS AGAINST HATE
Get Ready to March against SB1070 and Help Us!

On May 29th, tens of thousands of people from all over the country will come to Phoenix and march to repudiate SB1070. We will demand that President Obama stand on the right side of history and take immediate and concrete action to stop SB1070 in Arizona.

Join us in making history on May 29th! Let’s march to Stop SB1070!
When: May 29th at 8:00 am
Where: The March will start at Indian Steele Park (Indian School Road and N 3rd St) and will march to the State Capitol (N 17th Ave and W Adams St)
Click here for more information

Help us!
This Mega March is the biggest event Phoenix has ever seen. With only ONE WEEK AWAY we need all the volunteer help we can get to make it a success. Volunteer with our team…
•    FLYERING in your neighborhood, school and church
•    HOUSING people who come from out of town. Click here to register your house, church, school, gym or community center. Or help us COORDINATING the housing.
•    DONATING water for the march or click here to donate money
•    SECURITY AND CLEAN-UP at the march

Come to our General Volunteer Meeting and sign-up for any task
Tonatierra/Puente
Monday, May 24th  at 6:00 pm
802 N. 7th st (near Roosevelt st)
Tel: (602) 314-5870
www.puenteaz.org / www.altoarizona.com

For more information Call:
Diana Perez: (602) 579-2879 dee9pe_ram@hotmail.com
Leah Carnine: (541) 514-1694  somanyteeth@gmail.com

ooooooooooo

Mayo 29: ARIZONA SE LEVANTA CONTRA EL ODIO
Marche contra la Ley SB1070 y ayúdenos!

El 29 de mayo, miles de personas vendrán a Phoenix de todas partes del país para marchar en rechazo a la Ley SB1070. Vamos a exigir al Presidente Obama para que se pare del lado correcto de la historia y actúe de forma inmediata y concreta para detener la Ley SB1070 en Arizona.

Acompáñenos a hacer historia el 29 de mayo! Marchemos para detener la Ley SB1070!
Cuándo: 29 de mayo a las 8:00 am
Dónde: La Marcha empezará en el Parque Indian Steele (en la Indian School Road y la Calle 3ra Norte) y terminará en el Capitolio (17 Ave Norte y Calle Adams Oeste)
Haz click acá para más información

Ayúdenos!
Esta Mega Marcha es la más grande que se haya organizado en Phoenix. Por eso necesitamos toda la ayuda voluntaria posible para prepararla y lograr que sea un éxito. Colabore voluntariamente con nuestro equipo…
•    VOLANTEANDO en su barrio, escuela o iglesia
•    ALBERGANDO EN SU CASA a las personas que vienen de otras ciudades. Haga click acá para registrar su casa, escuela, iglesia, gimnasio, centro comunitario y cualquier otro espacio disponible. O ayúdenos a COORDINAR el hospedaje.
•    DONANDO agua para la marcha o donando dinero
•    Ayudando con SEGURIDAD Y LIMPIEZA durante la marcha

Venga a nuestra Reunión General de Voluntarios y apúntese a uno de nuestros equipos
Tonatierra/Puente
Lunes, 24 de mayo a las 6:00 pm
802 de la Calle 7 Norte (cerca de la Calle Roosevelt)
Tel: (602) 314-5870
www.puenteaz.org / www.altoarizona.com

Para más información llame a:
Diana Perez: (602) 579-2879 dee9pe_ram@hotmail.com
Leah Carnine: (541) 514-1694  somanyteeth@gmail.com

1 Million STRONG Saying Move the All Star Game from #ARIZONA

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is scheduled for Phoenix, Arizona, in 2011 and could bring as much as $60 million to the state.

Now that Arizona has passed SB 1070, which essentially legalizes racial profiling, Latino players like Padres infielder Adrian Gonzalez are pledging not to attend the game.

Let's support their stance and tell Major League Baseball Commisioner Bud Selig to move the game unless Arizona changes the law.

GET INVOLVED: http://tinyurl.com/MoveTheGame

DON'T FORGET TO TAKE ACTION AND SPREAD THE WORD:

STEP 1
"Like" this page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/1-Million-STRONG-Saying-Move-the-All-Star-Game-from-ARIZONA/118315844874528?v=info&ref=mf

STEP 2
Sign the petition: http://tinyurl.com/MoveTheGame

STEP 3
Tell your friends

Powered by Presente.org

Michael Moore on #Arizona, #Immigration, #SB1070, #Boycott, on Larry King (video)

"...I think it's the result of a bunch of bigots in the Republican Party of Arizona. That's -- that's what it's the result of. And it's sad that they're behaving that way and it makes the rest of us look bad as Americans. And they should start acting like Americans..." - Michael Moore

“The View” Ladies Take on #SB1070, #McCain and the #DREAMAct

The ladies from The View this morning took up Arizona’s SB 1070 as a hot topic, and while they were at it, they talked about Senator McCain and the DREAM Act too!

CONSORTIUM OF PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC ASSOCIATIONS IN ARIZONA CONDEMNS SB1070 AND RELATED STATE POLICIES

PHOENIX - On May 19th, a working group comprised of representatives from over a dozen leading professional and academic associations has issued a joint statement condemning Arizona’s immigration law (SB 1070) and related state policies such as the prohibition against Ethnic Studies programs (HB 2281), and calling for these laws to be rescinded. 

We, the Consortium of Professional and Academic Associations, believe that these laws are inherently unjust, and that their application threatens to inflame anti-immigrant sentiments and undermine constructive solutions to the challenges faced by communities in Arizona and across the nation. We call upon the governor, legislators, and people of Arizona to work diligently and swiftly to repeal these laws.

Our organizations include members from fields including sociology, criminology, political science, peace studies, psychology, anthropology, environmental studies, Chicano/a studies, and a multitude of related areas of study. Our collective membership numbers more than 10,000 scholars, educators, and activists, with many residing in Arizona. The decision to join together in issuing the open letter below represents an unprecedented and historical moment of collaboration. As academics and professionals concerned about social and environmental justice, human rights, and due process, we add our collective voices to those of many others from across the country calling for the immediate rescission SB 1070 (and, as amended, HB 2162) and HB 2281 in the name of equity, compassion, integrity, constitutionality, and sound public policy.

¡Alto Arizona! Mary Rose Wilcox on #SB1070

¡Alto Arizona! Mary Rose Wilcox on SB1070 from Barni Qaasim on Vimeo.

Mary Rose Wilcox, Maricopa County Supervisor, District 5, Arizona, discusses SB1070

Immigrant Students Detained for the DREAM Act

Immigrant Students Detained for the DREAM Act from Barni Qaasim on Vimeo.

On May 17, 2010 five immigrant students held a sit-in in Senator John McCain's office in Tucson, AZ. Four students, including three who were undocumented, were detained by the police. When they face the judge tomorrow morning they may face deportation.

Over three million students graduate from U.S. high schools every year. Most get the opportunity to test their dreams and live their American story. However, a group of approximately 65,000 youth do not get this opportunity; they are smeared with an inherited title, an illegal immigrant. These youth have lived in the United States for most of their lives and want nothing more than to be recognized for what they are, Americans.

The DREAM Act is a bipartisan legislation ‒ pioneered by Sen. Orin Hatch [R-UT] and Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL] ‒ that can solve this hemorrhaging injustice in our society. Under the rigorous provisions of the DREAM Act, qualifying undocumented youth would be eligible for a 6 year long conditional path to citizenship that requires completion of a college degree or two years of military service.

¡Alto Arizona! Alex Lora from El Tri

¡Alto Arizona! Alex Lora from El Tri from Barni Qaasim on Vimeo.

Alex Lora from El Tri urges everyone to come to Phoenix, Arizona on May 29th in protest of SB1070.

On Friday, April 23rd, Governor Jan Brewer joined the ranks of George Wallace and others like him who sought to gain political advantage by encouraging hatred and bigotry. And while Brewer and Sheriff Joe Arpaio may have written themselves into the history books by supporting this repugnant law, they will appear as nothing more than a footnote. Indeed, this chapter of history will be written by the millions of immigrants who assert their place in the American story like all others who came before them. This chapter will be written by a new generation of fearless leaders, like the thousands of high school students who walked out in Phoenix and Tucson, and the nine brave leaders who sacrificed their freedom to prevent and protest the enactment of an unjust and unconstitutional law. It will be written by all of us.

Arizona's immigrant community is organizing and preparing to mount the political, legal, and economic pressure needed to restore constitutional protections to the state. They need the nation's help to change the federal policy that allowed for the formation of SB 1070. The simple fact is that the President of the United States has the moral authority and legal obligation to intervene and put an end to SB 1070.

Video & Editing: Barni Qaasim

Talib Kweli speaking out against Arizona's #SB1070

¡Alto Arizona! Talib Kweli from Barni Qaasim on Vimeo.

Sign the petition at altoarizona.com and come to the National Day of Action in Phoenix, AZ on May 29, 2010.

On Friday, April 23rd, Governor Jan Brewer joined the ranks of George Wallace and others like him who sought to gain political advantage by encouraging hatred and bigotry. And while Brewer and Sheriff Joe Arpaio may have written themselves into the history books by supporting this repugnant law, they will appear as nothing more than a footnote. Indeed, this chapter of history will be written by the millions of immigrants who assert their place in the American story like all others who came before them. This chapter will be written by a new generation of fearless leaders, like the thousands of high school students who walked out in Phoenix and Tucson, and the nine brave leaders who sacrificed their freedom to prevent and protest the enactment of an unjust and unconstitutional law. It will be written by all of us.

Arizona's immigrant community is organizing and preparing to mount the political, legal, and economic pressure needed to restore constitutional protections to the state. They need the nation's help to change the federal policy that allowed for the formation of SB 1070. The simple fact is that the President of the United States has the moral authority and legal obligation to intervene and put an end to SB 1070.

Top Official Says Feds May Not Process Illegals Referred From Arizona

FOXNews.com

AP

A top Department of Homeland Security official reportedly said his agency will not necessarily process illegal immigrants referred to them by Arizona authorities.

John Morton, assistant secretary of homeland security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, made the comment during a meeting on Wednesday with the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune, the newspaper reports.

"I don't think the Arizona law, or laws like it, are the solution," Morton told the newspaper.

The best way to reduce illegal immigration is through a comprehensive federal approach, he said, and not a patchwork of state laws.

The law, which criminalizes being in the state illegally and requires authorities to check suspects for immigration status, is not "good government," Morton said.

In response to Morton's comments, DHS officials said President Obama has ordered the Department of Justice to examine the civil rights and other implications of the law.

"That review will inform the government's actions going forward," DHS spokesman Matt Chandler told Fox News on Friday.

Fox News legal analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano said ICE is not obligated to process illegal immigrants referred to them by Arizona authorities.

"ICE has the legal discretion to accept or not to accept persons delivered to it by non-federal personnel," Napolitano said. "It also has the discretion to deport or not to deport persons delivered to it by any government agents, even its own."

Boycott the Diamondbacks: JustAZ dance troupe

Protestan rockeros y más de 85 mil personas contra la ley Arizona

via AOL Musica

Jaguares, Maldita Vecindad y Molotov, tres de las bandas de rock más representativas de México, además de otras agrupaciones de este país, de Cuba y Chile, lograron reunir a más de 85 mil personas en la explanada del Zócalo de esta capital, para protestar contra la "ley antiinmigrante" de Arizona.

Pese a la lluvia que cayó desde las 14:00 horas de este domingo, justo en el inicio del concierto titulado "Jóvenes prepa sí por la dignidad: Todos somos Arizona" y durante casi toda la tarde, el público, en su mayoría jóvenes, adolescentes y niños, llenó la plancha del Centro Histórico y se mantuvo eufórico.

Según cifras del Gobierno del Distrito Federal, organizador del evento, al final del evento que se prolongó hasta las 21:25 horas cuando estaba programado hasta las 20:00 horas, hubo 85 mil asistentes sobre la explanada y en total 120 mil sumados a los flotantes en la periferia y calles aledañas.

Sen. Russell Pearce's E-Mails Reveal Future Plans

Immigration Enforcement Debate May Not Stop With SB 1070

Video

• 'Anchor Babies' Could Be Arizona's Next Target

Morgan Loew

CBS5 Investigative Reporter

PHOENIX -- E-mails to and from Ariz.state Sen. Russell Pearce reveal the immigration enforcement debate may not stop with SB 1070, the controversial immigration law.

Pearce, R-Mesa, the author of Arizona’s immigration law, has been writing to some of his constituents about what he plans to accomplish next.

In e-mails obtained by CBS 5, Pearce said he intends to push for a bill that would enable Arizona to no longer grant citizenship to the children of immigrants born on U.S. soil.

Pearce writes in one e-mail: "I also intend to push for an Arizona bill that would refuse to accept or issue a birth certificate that recognizes citizenship to those born to illegal aliens, unless one parent is a citizen."

• Document: E-mails to and from Pearce

AZ GOING AFTER CHILDREN: Another AZ Bill To Require Schools To Report Undocumented Children/Students - SB 1097

In the wake of the passage of two bills aimed at Arizona’s immigrant community—one allowing police to randomly check for citizenship status and another outlawing public school ethnic studies courses—the state’s schools are bracing for another potential incursion into how they do business. A third bill would require them to record and report to the state the number of illegal immigrant children in their student population, along with an estimation of the costs associated with educating those children.

If passed, SB 1097 would compel teachers and administrators to determine the legal status of students and their families, almost certainly discouraging enrollment and parental participation at school. The bill’s sponsor is state Senator Russell Pearce, a longtime leader of Arizona’s anti-immigration right wing and the legislator who crafted the recent immigration enforcement law.

“The impact is damaging,” said state Representative Kyrsten Sinema. “These kids made no choice to come to this country.”

The state Senate passed the schools bill on March 31, but it was tabled in the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, the national anti-immigration movement, which has cheered Arizona’s new crackdown, is embracing SB 1097 as a cause célèbre.

Editorial - Courage in Arizona - NYT.com

Four young immigrant students risked everything on Monday when they sat down in Senator John McCain’s office in Tucson and refused to leave. They were urging passage of the Dream Act, a bill offering a citizenship path to illegal immigrants who, like them, were brought to the United States as children, too young to have willfully broken the law.

For the undocumented, any encounter with law enforcement is perilous — especially in Arizona, where a new law pushes the hunt for illegal immigrants beyond the limits of reason, proportion and the Constitution.

Three of the student protesters were arrested for misdemeanor trespassing. Though later freed, they faced the risk of prison and deportation to press for a bill.

Little Girl Questions First Lady on Immigration

First lady Michelle Obama is questioned by a second grader about immigration policy while promoting her anti-obesity campaign at a D.C. elementary school.

via hulu.com

Racist Anti-Immigration Arizona Law Backfires (Video from 2008)

(Note from Alto Arizona: This video is pre-SB1070, but strangely foreshadowed this year's hateful legislation. This video strangely correlates to a video spoof created by filmmaker, Alex Rivera, "Why Cybraceros?" check link on our site: http://blog.altoarizona.com/blog/2010/04/why-cybraceros-a-mock-promotional-film-by-alex-rivera.html)

May 1, 2008) The tough anti-immigration law enacted in Arizona backfired after illegal aliens left the state and left its economy in shambles, now the same racist politicians want illegal immigrants back and have passed out invitations by way of a "guest worker" program.

via xxmkerror Youtube.com

Ozomatli for #AltoArizona.com - Statement against SB 1070

Ozomatli statement against AZ SB 1070 and a call to the Nation to the May 29 March in Phoenix, AZ.

Go to AltoArizona.com and send a message to Barack Obama to demand that Obama issue an executive order nullifying SB1070.

CENSORED NEWS: Indigenous and American Indian Studies Scholars Speak Out Against SB 1070, Call for an Economic Boycott of Arizona

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Indigenous and American Indian Studies Scholars Speak Out Against SB 1070, Call for an Economic Boycott of Arizona

Contact: Simon Ortiz (602) 438-9325 Eric Hardy or Mishuana Goeman
Photo: Acoma Pueblo poet, author and scholar Simon Ortiz
Double click on protest poster to enlarge

Indigenous and American Indian Studies Scholars Speak Out Against SB1070, Call for an Economic Boycott of Arizona

Press statement

TUCSON—Indigenous and American Indian studies scholars are condemning Arizona Senate Bill 1070 and related legislation.
“Clearly, and bluntly, the state law is racist and discriminatory against so-called ‘illegal immigrants’ crossing the borders from the South, namely from Mexico,” said Simon Ortiz, a Native American studies professor at Arizona State University, in reference to SB 1070. “Many of the border crossers are Indigenous peoples who are directly affected. Without any doubt, the law is wrong-headed; it targets people who fit a certain profile.”

Indigenous and American Indian Studies scholars say that SB 1070 and the recent passage into law of HB 2281, which bans the teaching of ethnic studies in public schools, are violations of human rights. Scholars from nearly 50 universities and communities have signed a statement calling for an economic boycott of Arizona.

“As Native intellectuals, it is important that we not enable this legislative activity,” said Julia Good Fox, who signed the statement. “I’m disappointed in the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association officers because they have chosen to disregard the boycott. SB 1070 and HB 2281 are dangerous for Indian Country so I hope that Tribal governments and organizations will honor the boycott and put pressure on Arizona to overturn these laws.”

Festival for Human Rights, May 28, Phoenix, AZ

Join us for a Festival of Human Rights - Friday, May 28, in Phoenix, AZ (the day before National Day of Action).

Location: Tonatierra - Nahuacalli, 802 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ (corner of 7th St. & McKinley)
Time: 6pm - 12am/All Ages, $5 donation
Details: Live Music, Art Show, Film Festival, Live Poster Printing, Cultural Marketplace.

Confirmed Bands: Los Jornaleros del Norte, Olmeca, Outernational, The Haymarket Squares, Mazameh (more to be added soon)

For more information, please visit www.puenteaz.org // and you can add PuenteAZ on facebook.

Click here to download flyer.

Click here to post this on Twitter.

Click here to post to Facebook.

No Alcohol/No Drugs/No Negativity

National Day of Action to STOP THE HATE - May 29, Phoenix, AZ

What: NDLON and Puente call on all people of conscience across the country to converge on Arizona on May 29. Together we will march to Stop the Hate and demand that Obama issue an executive order nullifying SB1070. STOP THE HATE!!!

Let Us Show The World That We Won’t Stand For Hateful Laws And Attacks On Immigrants And People Of Color.

Background: The passage of SB 1070 by Governor Brewer sparked national outrage catalyzing a movement for immigrant rights and lending a sense of urgency to stop the hate and terrorizing of immigrants and people of color in Arizona and across the nation. Puente (a human rights movement anchored in Phoenix) and NDLON (National Day Laborers Organizing Network) is calling for all people of conscience to converge on Arizona to Stop the hate on May 29th and demand President Obama take action to nullify this hateful law.

Demands:

We urge President Obama to:

1. Reassert the federal government's exclusive control over immigration law by making clear that state and local police do not have the inherent authority to enforce immigration law.
2. Immediately suspend and terminate all police-ICE partnerships, including 287(g) agreements and the so-called 'Secure Communities Initiative."
3. Direct the Department of Homeland Security to refuse to take custody of anyone charged with violating provisions of SB 1070.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, May 28th, Human Rights Festival at 8pm: music and art making for march.

Saturday, May 29th, Human Rights March, 8am gathering time: 5 mile long march converging at State Capitol. There will be live music at the beginning and end of march. Delegations from throughout the country and tens of thousands expected from the state. Local and national faith, human, civil, and labor leader speakers.

Sunday, May 30th, Organizing Summit at 10am (tentatively): Strategy discussion about how to continue the struggle for human rights and dignity nationwide. Will specifically share plans for the freedom summer, ongoing boycott, base building in Arizona, and a non-compliance strategy for SB1070.

Housing: Please fill out the form below to accommodate your caravan or delegation. We must receive the form by Wednesday, May 26th. We must receive one questionnaire for each participant or groups requesting housing and lodging. Form here: http://www.altoarizona.com/getmetoaz.html

Background websites and articles:

Arizona Enacts Stringent Law on Immigration
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/us/politics/24immig.html?scp=1&sq=SB1070&st=cse

Arizona: The Wrong Answer
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/desmond-tutu/arizona----the-wrong-answ_b_557955.html

On the Eve of SB-1070’s Enactment: What Can President Obama Do?
http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/04/24/arizona-sb1070-solutions/

Arizona tourism loses more business in wake of immigration law vote
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/12/AR2010051203317.html?hpid=topnews

Arizona immigration bill protesters arrested
http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2010/04/20/20100420arizona-immigration-bill-protest20-ON.html

Go Marlins! Boo Diamondbacks!

via Miami Herald