Racial profiling a-ok in Arizona

86 posts / 0 new

Tue, 2010-04-27 13:23

Yiwah

[url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-arizona-immigration....

Arizona has just passed a law which creates a 'reasonable suspicion' standard that allows law enforcement to stop those they belive may be undocumented immigrants. That means law enforcement can stop anyone who, on sight, is possibly an irregular migrant.

It is now a misdemeanour to lack proper immigration documentation. So even if you are legal, not having proof of that could land you in hot water. Making this a misdemeanour is what allows the 'reasonable suspicion', as otherwise, the 'suspect' would have to be implicated in another crime before law enforcement could demand immigration papers.

It's a beautiful example of cirular legislation. Can't stop latinos on the supicion that they are illegal if they're not doing anything wrong, so let's make not having papers about your person illegal!

An addition to the bill makes it impossible to ignore the law, and empowers citizens to ask for an order that the law be enforced.

Don't worry though, if you're an irregular migrant with white skin, you'll probably be okay.

Tue, 2010-04-27 13:46

Slumberjack

Behind The Arizona Immigration Law

Quote:
State Senator Russell Pearce, the Republican sponsor of the latest ID law, gave away his real intent, blocking the vote, when he said, "There is a massive effort under way to register illegal aliens in this country."

How many? Pearce's PR flak told me, five million. All Democrats, too. Again, I asked Pearce's office to give me their the names and addresses from their phony registration forms. I'd happily make a citizens arrest of each one, on camera. Pearce didn't have five million names. He didn't have five. He didn't have one.

The horde of five million voters who swam the Rio Grande just to vote for Obama was calculated on a Republican website extrapolating from the number of Mexicans in a border town who refused jury service because they were not citizens. Not one, in fact, had registered to vote: they had registered to drive. They had obtained licenses as required by the law.

The illegal voters, "wetback" welfare moms, and alien job thieves are just GOP website wet-dreams, but their mythic PR power helps the party's electoral hacks chop away at voter rolls and civil rights with little more than a whimper from the Democrats.

Indeed, one reason, I discovered, that some Democrats are silent is that they are in on the game themselves. In New Mexico, Democratic Party bosses tossed away ballots of Pueblo Indians to cut native influence in party primaries.

Stirring up hatred is always a useful tool for the elite.

Tue, 2010-04-27 16:33

kropotkin1951

I am waiting for them to start demanding ID from white Canadians snow birds. Maybe if a cop hears "eh" it will be what they need to check for their papers.

I wonder what all our american apologists and Cuba haters have to say about a law that makes it a crime for a citizen not to carry their papers. I'll bet more American Latinos get asked than white Canadians.

Not all americans are fascist of course so there is also a Congressman from Arizona calling for a boycott of his own state. Something Canadians should keep in mind since the snow birds are a big part of its economy.

http://www.kswt.com/Global/story.asp?S=12379315

Tue, 2010-04-27 16:45

Snert

Quote:
I wonder what all our american apologists and Cuba haters have to say about a law that makes it a crime for a citizen not to carry their papers.

I can't support it, neither in Arizona nor Cuba.

But if Cuba instituted such a policy -- y'know, to safeguard The Revolution from Uncle Sam and his tricksters -- I wonder how many Cuba supporters would openly criticize it? Seems all Cuba has to do, if it wants to get a little dodgy on some human rights, is say "Oh, but without this, Capitalism and the Enemies of the State would run rampant!!" and that's enough for a pass.

Tue, 2010-04-27 16:48

N.Beltov

Mexico issues travel advisory and warning on trips to Arizona.

The tables are turned.

Tue, 2010-04-27 17:09

Slumberjack

Snert wrote:
But if Cuba instituted such a policy -- y'know, to safeguard The Revolution from Uncle Sam and his tricksters -- I wonder how many Cuba supporters would openly criticize it? Seems all Cuba has to do, if it wants to get a little dodgy on some human rights, is say "Oh, but without this, Capitalism and the Enemies of the State would run rampant!!" and that's enough for a pass.

Still bashing the oppressed as your favorite passtime Snert?

US Aggression and Propaganda Against Cuba

Quote:
Cuba's move away from a free-market system dominated by U.S. firms and toward a not-for-profit socialist economy caused it to become the target of an unremitting series of attacks perpetrated by the U.S. national security state. These attacks included U.S.-sponsored sabotage, espionage, terrorism, hijackings, trade sanctions, embargo, and outright invasion. The purpose behind this aggression was to undermine the Revolution and deliver Cuba safely back to the tender mercies of global capitalism.

You see Snert, the people of Cuba have been under siege for 50 years by a well armed gang of murderous thieving bandits, the same ones you support when you place the onus on the victims to change their ways, in order to render themselves acceptable to said thieving bandits, and to the way of life that you find acceptable as you gaze down your nose at them.

Tue, 2010-04-27 17:16

E.Tamaran

Settlers... You're ALL illegal! White, Hispanic, Chinese etc etc etc. Many of you state how Jewish settlers must leave the Palestinian Territories for peace, but then conveniently fail to make the same demands of yourselves in Turtle Island. Shameful!

Tue, 2010-04-27 17:35

Yiwah

Snert wrote:

Quote:
I wonder what all our american apologists and Cuba haters have to say about a law that makes it a crime for a citizen not to carry their papers.

But if Cuba instituted such a policy -- y'know, to safeguard The Revolution from Uncle Sam and his tricksters -- I wonder how many Cuba supporters would openly criticize it? Seems all Cuba has to do, if it wants to get a little dodgy on some human rights, is say "Oh, but without this, Capitalism and the Enemies of the State would run rampant!!" and that's enough for a pass.

This thread is soooo not about Cuba, thanks. Unless you're discussing Cubans getting stopped on suspicion of being illegal.

Tue, 2010-04-27 17:37

al-Qa'bong

"But if Cuba instituted such a policy..."

...they'd be as bad as the USA?

That's a big "if."

Tue, 2010-04-27 17:41

#10

Yiwah

N.Beltov wrote:

Mexico issues travel advisory and warning on trips to Arizona.

The tables are turned.

Not that the bigots are going to care...they'll just holler 'hooray, less Mexicans!'.

I was married to a latino for nearly 11 years. Travelling in the US was a constant head-ache for us, even though all we ever did was go THROUGH the States to get elsewhere. Post 9/11 it did get a little easier, since they were focusing more on anyone who looked Arabic, rather than the traditional pastime of targetting hispanics. Still, being stuck in Houston during a layover was a very unpleasant experience, and if we could ever get direct flights so we wouldn't have to stop in the US, we did.

My only point with this little anecdote is that USian policies and attitudes towards latinos already pisses would-be travellers off. I'm hoping this particular state feels the bite of its policies.

Tue, 2010-04-27 18:00

#11

N.Beltov

Presente.org - Shame on Arizona

Quote:
As long as racial profiling is legal in Arizona, I will do what I can to not visit the state and to avoid spending dollars there.

Boycott!

Tue, 2010-04-27 18:16

#12

Yiwah

Can't boycott where I wasn't planning on going anyway...unfortunately.

Tue, 2010-04-27 18:26

#13

N.Beltov

Supplemental: If Phoenix wins the game tonight, then the Arizona hockey team will be scheduled to play San Jose in the next round.

I think they can expect "fireworks" in that case. oh yea.

Tue, 2010-04-27 18:32

#14

N.Beltov

And the boycott gains in momentum. ooh rah.

Quote:
Immigration rights activists called on baseball fans on Tuesday to stay home from Arizona Diamondbacks games as part of a broad economic boycott to protest a statewide crackdown on illegal immigration signed into law in Arizona.

As a backlash by Hispanic groups, organized labor and civil liberties activists gained steam, officials in two of California's biggest cities also moved to cut ties with companies based in the neighboring border state of Arizona.

The Great Arizona Boycott

I wonder if the broadcaster for tonight's game 7 (it's the CBC) of the Phoenix/Detroit series will acknowledge the racial profiling issue? The game is being held in Arizona.

Tue, 2010-04-27 18:39

#15

Image

The new Obama healthcare legislation actually exacerbates the problems state and local governments have with illegal aliens (using public clinics, without insurance), because medical providers (hospitals, polyclinics) can no nonger get subsidy monies from the feds, if they treat illegals. Since ERs must treat anyone for a catastrophic illness, whether or not they've got insurance, this is creating a massive bad-debt problem for hospitals. Usually, border state residents end up picking up the tab, through state and county/local tax increases.

While there are certainly a lot of 'racists' (most Hispanics in the U.S. are actually Caucasian--'Hispanic' is an ethnicity, not a 'race'), this is hardly an extreme measure, and is a response to a real problem. Proof of citizenship can be something as simple as a SIN card, which most legal adults carry, anyhow. Checking of immigration status isn't just random: usually, someone is arrested for something else (car theft, assault, B&Es), when the police look into the person's legality. Look at some of the comments on U.S. newspapers, re. this issue and you'll see frustration among border state residents, over things like gangs, car thefts/jackings (sold accross the border), shootings of ranchers by 'coyotes' and backlogs in hospital ERs and public schools filled with students who can't function in English. Calling everyone 'racists' is elitist snobbery, from people who don't have to deal with the consequences of lax border controls. Businesses are actually among the groups lobbying against this sort of legislation, since an endless supply of cheap, coercible labour--with no healthcare, pension, or tax costs--means bigger profits. Rather than sneering at the 'racist' Arizona citizens, why don't you look at what led people in that state to back this legislation, by a large majority in both polls and the State Legislature?

Tue, 2010-04-27 18:44

#16

N.Beltov

Racists. And, by the way, on a site like this one we make reference to "undocumented immigrants". No one is "illegal".

Tue, 2010-04-27 18:47

#17

Yiwah

"Proof of citizenship can be something as simple as a SIN card, which most legal adults carry anyhow."

I don't carry any ID on me. I haven't for years. It's a real pain in the ass to lose ID, so I only pull it out when I need it. The rest of the time it stays at home. Few people I know carry ID with them at all times unless they drive. If stopped, I would not be able to prove I was in this country legally.

I would not be okay with worrying whether I'm going to be harrassed or not simply because I forgot to pick up some ID before heading the grocery store.

This legislation isn't going to stop people from entering the US without legal permission. It is, however, going to promote harrassment, and lead to some seriously ill will between the so called vaulted 'legals' (who are going to be treated like criminals because of the colour of their skin) and law enforcement.

When you pass legislation, you should be weighing how effective your measures will be compared to the shitstorm it's going to raise. I don't think that exercise was engaged in here.

Tue, 2010-04-27 19:24

#18

E.Tamaran

N.Beltov wrote:

No one is "illegal".

Just all the settlers. Extremely illegal. But hey give us back our land and resources and we'll call it even.

Tue, 2010-04-27 19:40

#19

Yiwah

E.Tamaran wrote:

N.Beltov wrote:

No one is "illegal".

Just all the settlers. Extremely illegal. But hey give us back our land and resources and we'll call it even.

I'm curious. Does this mean you don't care about discrimination against hispanics, documented or not? Do you lump all 'settlers' together, and who cares what happens to them?

Tue, 2010-04-27 19:50

#20

N.Beltov

la la la

Tue, 2010-04-27 20:06

#21

E.Tamaran

Yiwah wrote:

E.Tamaran wrote:

N.Beltov wrote:

No one is "illegal".

Just all the settlers. Extremely illegal. But hey give us back our land and resources and we'll call it even.

I'm curious. Does this mean you don't care about discrimination against hispanics, documented or not? Do you lump all 'settlers' together, and who cares what happens to them?

I do lump all settlers together but I don't want to see people harmed. Considering the horrors FNs have gone through for the past 500 years I believe that old grievances should be settled before more recent ones. Indiginous peoples have and are being slaughtered by the Mexican government. If that situation were taken care of there would be no Mexicans trying to find a better life in the USSA, because Mexico would be a peaceful place. That would mean no Arizona type laws. It's all connected see.

you can't spell arizona without the letters N, A, Z, I.

Tue, 2010-04-27 20:22

#22

Yiwah

Um...there's no 'I' in wtf?

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

I'm glad that you can consider indigenous issues and the rights of others at the same time. I was just checking.

Wed, 2010-04-28 00:03

#23

N.Beltov

E.Tamaran wrote:
Indiginous peoples have and are being slaughtered by the Mexican government. If that situation were taken care of there would be no Mexicans trying to find a better life in the USSA, because Mexico would be a peaceful place. That would mean no Arizona type laws. It's all connected see.

Mexicans travel to the US for work due to economic policies of the US which has succeeded in depopulating the Mexican countryside. Flooding the Mexican market with subsidized corn, for example, has impoverished Mexican farmers and driven them to El Norte. Of course, it's more than just cheap Yanqui corn, but you get the idea. There's plenty written about this. Reducing the migration issue to the actions of the Mexican government is just wrong. Do your homework and see if you don't agree with me.

Wed, 2010-04-28 09:33

#24

Snert

Quote:
Still bashing the oppressed as your favorite passtime Snert?

Only when they become the new oppressor. But as I note, it's certainly OK to restrict a few human rights here and there in the interest of state security, eh?

Quote:
This thread is soooo not about Cuba, thanks.

Then direct your comment to the poster who brought up Cuba, thanks. It's soooo about reading for comprehension, thanks.

Wed, 2010-04-28 09:39

#25

Yiwah

Snert wrote:

Then direct your comment to the poster who brought up Cuba, thanks. It's soooo about reading for comprehension, thanks.

You were not the only person quoted. Details.

Wed, 2010-04-28 09:57

#26

Maysie

Image is banned by the way. Not by me, that oldgoat beat me to it.

Quote:

... I'm calling bullshit on anyone who tries to say that the Arizona law won't lead to profiling.

As a matter of fact, supporters of the law should be outraged that the Governor of Arizona claims that profiling won't be a part of the law. The only way this kind of law "works" is if it is applied based on visible difference. Usually paper laws mandate that only the other...the undesirables...are required to have their documentation on them at all times. But Arizona has Americanized that shit...everyone is assumed to have some sort of government issued identification or easily produced proof of legal status, so supporters of the law can make the false claim that anyone who raises suspicion that they may not be American could be asked to produce documentation or face the consequences of having to prove that they are in the country legally. Yeah, that's American as a motherfucker...kind of reminds me of the impossible to pass voting tests members of my family had to take in Mississippi back in the day that were only given to black people trying to vote.

The thing is, Arizona could have passed the law with equal oppression for all.

from Angry Black Bitch

....

Racialicious has a blog post on this issue too.

Wed, 2010-04-28 15:57

#27

Snowbird

1070 just requires local and state police to enforce existing Federal legislation. City mayors in states like Arizona are notorious for ordering their police to not enforce Federal immigration laws, or report illegals. Go look at the legislation, instead of making stuff up. This helps Mayors' and Councillors' campaigns, for Latino votes and donations from businesses that use illegal labor.

And stop with this 'undocumented worker' PC BS. A sovereign country, like the U.S., Canada, or Mexico, has the right to say who has access through its borders. People who are in the country illegally are 'illegal aliens', just like people who are in private property without permission are 'tresspassers'. Maybe you should throw open the doors to your house and let anyone in. The cops can then tell you that they can't do anything about the 'undocumented squatters', because 'no one is illegal'. And Mexico also has its own illegal alien problem, with Central American border-jumpers.

It's easy to call everyone 'racists' from 1,000 miles away, without living in the mess people in border states have to put up with. Ranchers have been shot by coyotes. Car jackings and thefts are an escalating problem. People are losing jobs to 'undocumented workers', because it's cheaper to hire low-wage, non-union workers with no benefits, payroll taxes or compensation. Swelling border town populations mean housing prices keep going up, the cost of food in stores keeps going up, but wages are falling from competition with cheap labor. Businesses LOVE illegal aliens, but working citizens get screwed. The schools are crammed with Spanish-only kids whose parents don't pay taxes, meaning the public school system is a mess. The ERs are clogged with 'undocumented workers' with no insurance, which means that the State government (meaning local taxpayers) ends up with the tab. Many of the illegals aren't 'workers', but criminals (coyotes, drug dealers, burglars, robbers, car thieves). Even ID theft is becoming a big problem. This is why around 70% of Arizona's voters support 1070, and even Texas, Utah, Ohio and other states are looking into similar legislation. Are you saying democracy is 'racist', because most ordinary voters support enforcing EXISTING immigration laws?

Just sit up there in your coccoon and sneer with contempt at the 'racist hicks' who are fed up with crime, crumbling social infrastructure, rising taxes and falling wages. Laws like 1070 are democracy in action, whether your elitist, PC sensibilities can stomach it, or not.

Wed, 2010-04-28 16:02

#28

Catchfire

Right. Well, Snowbird, I think you've stumbled upon the wrong board. As an added plus, though, you get to be the first troll I ban. What a singular honour!

Wed, 2010-04-28 17:05

#29

Slumberjack

I get a sense that Arizona won't be seeing much of a drop in business from vacationing snowbird people as a result of this legislation. Perhaps it's just as well too, as we stand to enjoy the benefit of their absence for at least a little while.

Wed, 2010-04-28 17:54

#30

Yiwah

Catchfire wrote:

Right. Well, Snowbird, I think you've stumbled upon the wrong board. As an added plus, though, you get to be the first troll I ban. What a singular honour!

Now see, I would have loved a chance to answer Snowbird... I've done a quick read through of site rules but could you perhaps link me to something that more clearly explains who gets banned for saying what please? I mean...it's not like strong language isn't used around here. I understand wanting to keep the conversation from devolving into a brawl, but a warning about toning it down might be better...is that done here?

Thanks in advance.

Wed, 2010-04-28 18:06

#31

E.Tamaran

N.Beltov wrote:

E.Tamaran wrote:
Indiginous peoples have and are being slaughtered by the Mexican government. If that situation were taken care of there would be no Mexicans trying to find a better life in the USSA, because Mexico would be a peaceful place. That would mean no Arizona type laws. It's all connected see.

Mexicans travel to the US for work due to economic policies of the US which has succeeded in depopulating the Mexican countryside. Flooding the Mexican market with subsidized corn, for example, has impoverished Mexican farmers and driven them to El Norte. Of course, it's more than just cheap Yanqui corn, but you get the idea. There's plenty written about this. Reducing the migration issue to the actions of the Mexican government is just wrong. Do your homework and see if you don't agree with me.

The people leaving Mexico INVOLUNTARILY are the indiginous people being disposessed by Mexican government-allied thugs. Your argument that the MG is not a player in this genocide is apalling. Trying to equate economic migration with genocidal migration is shameful!

Wed, 2010-04-28 19:54

#32

kropotkin1951

So ET did you do blood tests at the border to determine that these are indigenous people and not settlers?

Wed, 2010-04-28 20:15

#33

N.Beltov

The political right has its single issue drones as well. Buzz buzz buzz. I don't think ET's obtuse reply deserves a response.

I should, however, take this opportunity to flesh out my idea a little more. Of course the subsidized corn dumped into Mexico by the US is having a huge effect on Mexicans of all ethnicities. Then there are the maquiladoras along the border with the US that also play a role in draining the population from the interior of Mexico. Capitalism, wherever it is, has created a propertyless class that must sell its labour power in order to live. So the driving of Mexican farmers from the land is all part of the modus operandi of capitalism and has been so since the early 19th century in England.

Wed, 2010-04-28 20:18

#34

SparkyOne

Snowbird wrote:

1070 just requires local and state police to enforce existing Federal legislation.

A sovereign country, like the U.S., Canada, or Mexico, has the right to say who has access through its borders.

just like people who are in private property without permission are 'tresspassers'.

Maybe you should throw open the doors to your house and let anyone in. The cops can then tell you that they can't do anything about the 'undocumented squatters', because 'no one is illegal

Ranchers have been shot by coyotes. Car jackings and thefts are an escalating problem.

People are losing jobs to 'undocumented workers', because it's cheaper to hire low-wage, non-union workers with no benefits, payroll taxes or compensation.

Swelling border town populations mean housing prices keep going up, the cost of food in stores keeps going up, but wages are falling from competition with cheap labor.

Businesses LOVE illegal aliens, but working citizens get screwed.

The ERs are clogged with 'undocumented workers' with no insurance, which means that the State government (meaning local taxpayers) ends up with the tab.

This is why around 70% of Arizona's voters support 1070,

most ordinary voters support enforcing EXISTING immigration laws?

Maybe I'll be the last person Oldgoat bans or the second person Catchfie bans and everyone will get a good laugh but sorry take away this posters agressive attitde and some of the racist comments (many of the illegals are criminals) and they still raise some good points I've indicated above.I'm often hit with some mean racial profiling and I know first hand how much it sucks. I'm not saying this stuff justifies it but the above points seem like some fairly serious issues and not just a little bitty thing like some posters here pass it off as. Am I a racist for not wanting my taxes to go towards someone that snuck into Canada? I can barely put food on my table, how is that fair?

Lets not just single out the illegal aliens but the companies that use them for cheap dispsable labour too!And what exactly is the warning system here? Some people get multiple warnings and others are banned for their first infraction?

Wed, 2010-04-28 20:36

#35

E.Tamaran

kropotkin1951 wrote:

So ET did you do blood tests at the border to determine that these are indigenous people and not settlers?

The indiginous peoples of Mexico are being forced out by violence and genocide. The settler Mexicans are leaving due to economic reasons (imposed by the USSA). I ask you, which is worse? Hint: It's the violence and genocide. I wonder why N.Beltov can't see that...

Wed, 2010-04-28 20:36

#36

Slumberjack

Anyone referring to economic refugees, human beings who flee the ravages of global capitalism in search of survival as 'illegal' and 'alien' have frankly given over all sense of their own humanity to a system that spoon feeds these wretched views into their willing and gaping maw.

Wed, 2010-04-28 20:38

#37

E.Tamaran

N.Beltov wrote:

The political right has its single issue drones as well. Buzz buzz buzz. I don't think ET's obtuse reply deserves a response.

Moderators! Calling other babblers names is against the board policy. I was censored for a way milder form of this( "some posters here are delusional" is what I said. ) Will you maintain your high standards against this form of abuse?

Wed, 2010-04-28 20:44

#38

Slumberjack

Down with N. Beltov!! Buzzkill.

Wed, 2010-04-28 21:27

#39

N.Beltov

lol.

Thu, 2010-04-29 08:07

#40

Maysie

N Beltov, don't call E.Tamaran obtuse, or refer to ET's posts as droning.

E.T. I will ask you to post to the topic. You too Slumberjack.

As to the issue of the racist troll Image, aka Snowbird, anyone who wants to read unchallenged racist talking points from rightwing scaremongers please see any comments section on any major network news website.

Thu, 2010-04-29 10:53

#41

N.Beltov

mea culpa. I look forward to future debate with ET in which I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

Thu, 2010-04-29 12:09

#42

kropotkin1951

E.Tamaran wrote:

kropotkin1951 wrote:

So ET did you do blood tests at the border to determine that these are indigenous people and not settlers?

The indigenous peoples of Mexico are being forced out by violence and genocide. The settler Mexicans are leaving due to economic reasons (imposed by the USSA). I ask you, which is worse? Hint: It's the violence and genocide. I wonder why N.Beltov can't see that...

I guess my problem is I can't tell the difference by looking at pictures of the people streaming across the border whether they are pure blood indigenous people or mixed race settlers. Which is exactly the reason I have a problem with your analysis.

And since you asked I must tell you I have this world view that all humans are siblings. I don't differentiate between oppressed groups and say that some peoples suffering is worse because they are of one race and not another. The people of Mexico are being screwed and I think it is a tragedy for ALL not just some. Given my limited knowledge of aboriginal culture what tradition are you following that uses race as a determination of anything?

Thu, 2010-04-29 12:20

#43

Maysie

kropotkin, it would be great if you stopped going after E.Tamaran and also try to stick with the topic of the thread.

Thu, 2010-04-29 12:22

#44

Maysie

Quote:

Statement from People of North Carolina to Stand Against Arizona's SB1070

As People of North Carolina we denounce SB1070. We stand with the people of Arizona, in particular, immigrant communities, and the grassroots call to honor the dignity and human rights of all.

SB1070, approved by Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ) on Friday, April 23 attacks immigrant communities by setting a precedent for vast human and civil rights violations through institutionalizing racial profiling and criminalization of immigrant workers. These laws are rooted in xenophobia and racism; they mandate racial profiling and are a direct attack on immigrant communities and communities of color.

In North Carolina we have seen the effects of anti-immigrant policies that have led to racial profiling. Like Arizona, we have been the testing ground for anti-immigrant policies. North Carolina has one of the highest number of 287(g) agreements and Secure Communities programs. As a state, we have suffered the effects of local enforcement as immigrant families are separated or live in fear of deportation.

We affirm the bold and heroic resistance of the people of Arizona who called, walked-out, picketed, protested, and took direct action to try to stop the passage of SB 1070. We know that the struggles in Arizona are directly connected to the struggles we face in North Carolina; they are on the frontlines and we must reinforce, support, and follow their lead in challenging this xenophobic and racist reaction. Their struggle for justice is ours and their victories and set-backs ripple across the fabric of the movement for human rights and liberation.

In light of the demands of our sisters and brothers in Arizona, we support their call for boycotts and divestment from Arizona, including ceasing tourism and divesting from entities in which Arizona is economically invested. Arizona, as an apartheid state, must be choked economically and pressured to repeal.

What is happening in Arizona is the extreme pole of the racist forces of reaction that finance hate groups such as the Tea Party and Minutemen. Well-funded organizations across the country such as the Koch Foundation and The Pope Foundation in North Carolina support the amplifications of hate-filled messages from Tom Tancredo, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and those public figures that attack working people from every direction. These groups capitalized on the economic crisis to amplify racism and use divide and conquer tactics to pit working people against each other and scapegoat immigrants.

Along with affirming and acting in solidarity with resistance in Arizona, we want to strengthen the connection between our states to work against the expanded militarization of the border and the criminalization of immigrants and people of color. There are many ways we can connect, learn and grow from and with each other.

We condemn the vigilante-ism of renegade Sheriffs who abuse the powers and current laws and create terror within communities. Sheriffs, such as Joe Arpaio, have rallied for tougher enforcement and an expansion of their powers, and their blatant profiling and human rights abuses have outraged the country. In North Carolina we call out the mass round-ups and deportations in 287(g) counties at the hands of Sheriffs in Wake, Henderson, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Alamance, and Gaston Counties. We are also concerned about the implementation of Secure Communities in Orange County under the direction of Sheriff Pendergrass and anti-immigrant attacks by Sheriff Bizzell in Johnston County.

We call on the people of North Carolina to support our sisters and brothers in Arizona by sending money to grassroots-led organizations, sending solidarity caravans, and answering their calls to action as they continue to pressure Governor Brewer and other policy-makers. We also call on President Obama to end ICE ACCESS programs and put a moratorium on all deportations until just and humane immigration reform is realized. Let us support caravans to Arizona and let us support local actions and organizing here in North Carolina!

We join the call for a national May Day of multi-ethnic unity with youth, labor and justice communities in solidarity with immigrant workers. Together we must build a new immigrant rights & workers rights movement!

On May Day, International Workers Day, we demand:

1) No to anti-immigrant legislation, and the criminalization of the immigrant communities.
2) No to the Schumer-Graham immigration reform blueprint that calls for greater border militarization, tougher enforcement, and criminalization of immigrants.
3) No to immigrant detention and deportation.
4) No to employer sanctions and "no match" letters.
5) No to free trade policies that displace workers.
6) Yes to a path to legalization without condition for undocumented immigrants NOW.
7) Yes to speedy family reunification.
8) Yes to civil rights and humane immigration law.
9) Yes to labor rights and living wages for all workers.
10) Yes to education over incarceration and to LGBTQ equality in immigration policies and worker protections.

Over the next 90 days, there will be many opportunities to take action, show solidarity, and build our collective power to transform society and overturn Arizona's SB 1070. Let us reach out across culture, race, and gender to build strong alliances and organize bold actions that will shake the country and lay the foundation to build the kind of world we all need and deserve.

Si se puede!
Hasta la victoria!
La Lucha Obrera, No Tiene Frontera!
Together, we can!

In solidarity,

Farm Labor Organizing Committee
Coalition of Latin American Organizations
Trabajadores Unidos (Western North Carolina Workers Center)
Nuestro Centro La Comunidad, Asheville
Raleigh F.I.S.T.
Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation
UNC-Chapel Hill Feminist Student United
Dismantling Racism Works
Black Workers for Justice
Viridiana Martinez, Raleigh
Annie Dove, statewide VP, UE 150 NC Public Sector Workers Union*
Bridgette Burge, YWCA of the Triangle Racial Justice Program Co-Chair*
Emily Cabaniss, NC State Sociology Graduate Student*
Tema Okun, Durham
Michelle Johnson, Carrboro
Dani Martinez-Moore, NC Justice Center*
Jillian Johnson, Palante Action Network*
Rebecca Fontaine, Durham
Brigid Flaherty, Pushback Network*
Shafeah M'Balia, Rocky Mount
Erin Byrd, Raleigh
Sendolo Diaminah, People's Durham*
Elisa Benitez-Hernandez, Umbrella Coalition*, Durham
Manju Rajendran, Umbrella Coalition*, Durham
Larsene Taylor, Chair, UE150-NC Public Service Workers Union-DHHS Council*, Goldsboro
Natasha El-Sergany, Chair, UNC Chapel Hill National Lawyers Guild Chapter*

* for identification purposes only

Thu, 2010-04-29 14:20

#45

Yiwah

E.Tamaran wrote:

kropotkin1951 wrote:

So ET did you do blood tests at the border to determine that these are indigenous people and not settlers?

The indiginous peoples of Mexico are being forced out by violence and genocide. The settler Mexicans are leaving due to economic reasons (imposed by the USSA). I ask you, which is worse? Hint: It's the violence and genocide. I wonder why N.Beltov can't see that...

You do realise that most Mexicans are mixed blood and to some extent indigenous? Going into racial politics and declaring that only 'settlers' are leaving for the USA ignores reality to a fairly extreme degree.

Thu, 2010-04-29 14:23

#46

Yiwah

Maysie wrote:

N Beltov, don't call E.Tamaran obtuse, or refer to ET's posts as droning.

E.T. I will ask you to post to the topic. You too Slumberjack.

As to the issue of the racist troll Image, aka Snowbird, anyone who wants to read unchallenged racist talking points from rightwing scaremongers please see any comments section on any major network news website.

Well, by definition those points are unchallenged when we aren't able to answer them.

Thu, 2010-04-29 14:40

#47

Catchfire

One of the enduring goals of babble, Yiwah, is to offer a discussion space where core principals aren't rehashed and refought over again and again in an effort to raise the level of debate (ha!). So we try to take as our starting point the idea that no one is "illegal," that laws like Arizona's Immigration law are racist (in fact, you yourself took this for granted in the OP!) and that recurring tropes like "illegal immigrants are taking away jobs from the working classes" represent attempts by the ruling classes to forge divides and schisms between groups that should be allies. By taking such values for granted, hopefully we can elevate the conversation to how we stop bills like this instead of should we stop bills like this. That's the idea, anyway.

I agree that conflict can be kind of an engine for discussion because it really gets the juices flowing. But conflict posts like Snowbird's invite is not the kind of conflict we want, or have ever wanted, on babble.

I should also add that Snowbird's evident contempt for this board and its posters was a key factor in his early exit--if there were any doubt as to whether he came here in good faith, that ended it.

Thu, 2010-04-29 14:49

#48

al-Qa'bong

Back in the old days, when Mishei and Dr. Conway were around, "obtuse" was a frequently-used term of endearment in these here parts.

*pwit.......ping!*

Thu, 2010-04-29 14:51

#49

Caissa

That's so acute.

Thu, 2010-04-29 15:43

#50

Maysie

Quote:

Dear Friends,

Arizona's governor just signed SB 1070 into law, effectively making it legal to racially profile in the state. The bill requires local law enforcement to question anyone they have "reasonable suspicion" of being undocumented. Translation: you could be pulled over for no other reason than that you are brown-skinned or speak Spanish.

That Gov. Jan Brewer could sign such a discriminatory law - one of the worst in the nation - is a moral outrage. We need to send a clear message that Arizona does not deserve economic support from the rest of the country. Tourism is a huge industry in the state - bringing in $18 billion last year. With the passage of SB 1070, it's time to say shame on Arizona and pledge not spend our dollars in a place where racial profiling is legal. Our friends at Presente.org have set up an online action through which you can send a message to the governor of Arizona, state and local tourism and commerce officials:

http://presente.org/campaigns/shame/org/soaw

SOA Watch supports the struggle for Justice for Immigrants. We understand that many immigrants to the United States are victims of U.S.-sponsored military training and atrocities in Latin America. In our fight to close the SOA, we continue to work towards a world that is free of suffering and violence. We recognize the SOA/ WHINSEC and the unjust immigration policies like SB 1070 as being parts of the same racist system of violence and domination. We ally ourselves with those most affected by SOA violence and their families in our effort to create a better world.

Many immigrants that come to the United States from Latin America are victims of SOA graduates who carry out violence against civilian populations in their own countries. Right now in Colombia, paramilitary groups are terrorizing villages, which causes displacement and migration. But this is hardly a new phenomenon. In the 1980s, during the civil wars in Central America, military and paramilitary groups uprooted people from their homes, and many fled to the United States.

The anti-immigrant politicians who passed SB 1070 may not care about justice and human rights, but they definitely care about the tourism industry that brings in billions of dollars to the state. We need to show them that their decisions have consequences. Will you join us in saying shame on Arizona and pledging to stay away from the state? It only takes a moment.

Thank you and ¡Adelante!
SOA Watch

Fri, 2010-04-30 03:24

#51

Cactus

This is an interesting perspective on why lawsuits against 1070 would likely fail:

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/How-Obama-could-lose-Arizona-...

This was Obama's former position on such legislation:

http://www.breitbart.tv/flashback-obama-argues-for-rule-of-law-in-deport...

This is what Mexico does to 'undocumented immigrants':

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2010/0428/Mexicans-slam-Arizona-...

This is the text of 1070:

http://www.azgovernor.gov/dms/upload/EO_201009.pdf

At any rate, challenges by the Federal government, against what is essentially the Feds own legislation, will have an explosive effect on the mood of people in Arizona, 70% of whom supported this bill (even over the objections of many Republicans). Like it, or not, this was populist legislation, enacted through the democratic process. If the Feds do try to have it quashed (and Obama's Administration probably won't), expect a Tenth Amendment challenge. Obama is clearly facing a bit of a Gordon Brown moment, here.

Racial profiling a-ok in Arizona

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