May 10, 2010
Esteemed Members, Friends, and Guests:
We are living in trying, but exciting times for organizing and advancing the causes for which we have dedicated our lives. Every crisis is an opportunity. Do we lament the crisis or do we educate and organize our constituency? This is the challenge of the day.
As the national president of MAPA, I would like to extend an invitation to our members, friends, and guests to attend the MAPA Primary Endorsement Convention, which will be convened on Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Methodist Church - Placita Olvera (Alameda Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue) in Los Angeles.
The convention is being held united with the Mexican Cultural Institute and Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana as our co-sponsors. The theme of this convention is "WE ARE ALL ARIZONA," and the raging immigration debate and fight for fair and humane immigration reform. While various areas of reform are on the political and legislative agenda, such as - finance, healthcare, labor law, and climate reform - immigration reform is moving and pressing on our communities like no other at this moment. This is not to say that the foreclosure crisis, budget deficits and the related program, service, and public employee cut- backs, the continuing wars, the double-digit unemployment, and the scandalous transfer of wealth from those who have least to those who have most are not important social problems, concerns, and organizing issues. Be assured that these issues will also be addressed by the various speakers, and special guests.
Please join us and listen to and interact with some of the best organizers, grassroots political leaders, and thinkers/authors on our issues of concern. We value your opinions and encourage your participation in the discussions.
Some of the invited speakers include:
Marisol Cruz (Los Angeles)
Rey Leon (Central Valley)
Miguel Robles (Bay Area)
Pablo Alvarado (Los Angeles - National Day Labor Organizing Network)
Taina Reyes (Orange County)
Luis Magaña (Stockton/Sacramento)
Marcelino Arteaga (Los Angeles - Overhill Farms worker/leader)
Rodolfo Barragan (Los Angeles)
Celina Benitez (Southern California Immigration Coalition and CISPES)
Ron Gochez (Los Angeles - Union del Barrio)
Professor Armando Vasquez (CSULB - Long Beach)
Arturo Jimenez (Pomona Habla/Speaks, Pomona)
Enrique Morones (Border Angels - San Diego)
Professor Justin Akers Chacon (San Diego Community College, San Diego)
Christian Ramirez (American Friends Service Committee, National)
Antonio Gonzalez (National Latino Congreso and WCVI, National)
Angela Sanbrano (NALAAC, National)
Attorney Carlos Vellanoweth (Los Angeles)
Attorney Russell Jaurequi (Los Angeles)
Soledad Alatorre (San Fernando Valley)
Ben Benavidez (Central Valley)
Rene Saucedo (Bay Area)
David Bacon (Author/Journalist/Advocate, National)
Salvador Reza (Tonatierra, Phoenix, Arizona)
Isabel Garcia (Coalicion por los Derechos Humanos, Tucson, Arizona)
Senator Gilbert Cedillo, Special Guest (California State Senator)
The convention will hear reports from numerous regions on the political organizing work in numerous regions; analyze the shortfalls of the Obama administration on immigration reform, and the legislative proposals - Schumer, Gutierrez, and others; and share ideas about alternative legislative approaches and organizing. We also intend on entertaining resolutions on the California ballot propositions and other issues.
MAPA intends on formulating positions and policy direction for the next two years, especially in its relations with elected officials and prospective electoral candidates.
A special moment in the convention will be to honor Soledad Alatorre and Ben Benavidez with the Heroes Mexicanos Lifetime Service Award; and recognize Salvador Reza of Tonatierra (Phoenix, AZ) and Isabel Garcia of the Coalition for Human Rights (Tucson, AZ) with the Heroes Mexicanos Recognition Award for their work on the frontlines in the state of Arizona.
The cost to attendees is a $10.00 donation to cover convention and materials expenses.
We look forward to you joining us. Please RSVP your attendance in that occupancy is limited at your earliest convenience. You can contact us at: Xelha Lopez - xelha.lopez@gmail.com and Taina Reyes - mafutaino@yahoo.com.
Sincerely,
Nativo Vigil Lopez
National President
Mexican American Political Association
email: nativolopez@mapa-ca.org
phone:
323-269-1575
web: http://www.mapa.org
Join us in this prolonged campaign for driver's licenses and visas for our families. The first step in making change is to join an organization that pursues the change we desire. We welcome you to our ranks.
Other organizations leading this movement include: Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana, Mexican American Political Association (MAPA), MAPA Youth Leadership, Southern California Immigration Coalition, Liberty and Justice for Immigrants Movement, National Alliance for Immigrant's Rights, and immigrant's rights coalitions throughout the U.S.
