Monthly Archives: March 2009

Today, Cesar would have been 82. Here’s a video from Democracy Now honoring Cesar.

I don’t know if it’s Mayor Bill White, or a Bill White, or even his campaign staff, but this response was left in my post on 287g by a “billwhite”.

I do not think local police should be diverted from investigating crimes to trying to check the immigration status of all working people. Latino leaders supported our policy announced two years ago of trying to identify those who are in jail who are deportable felons. The Department of Homeland Security Department has told us that we cannot have access to one of the federal databases, for use in the jail, without signing an agreement allowing that use. I have been consistent with using tools to check whether people who commit crimes are wanted on other crimes and asking all law enforcement to check their immigration status. Please remember that immigrants are frequently the victim of non-citizen violent criminals.

Mayor, or Mister, Bill White, thank you for the response. If it is actually Mayor White, then I must say that I’m honored to have you comment on DosCentavos.

That said, I do recall Mayor White’s past views regarding checking the status of convicted felons at the local jail, and I was one of those who somewhat supported that measure.

On Tuesday, it’s time to ask Mayor White again to stop any changes to HPD policy that would allow HPD to act as a local “Migra.” Although we’ve talked about how bringing 287g to Houston would indeed render HPD ineffective, there is also the possibility that City of Houston will mess with Public Order 500–the order which solidifies the statement left by “bill white”. But instead of a blog comment, the people need to hear it in person.

KEEP CONTACTING THE MAYOR’S OFFICE TO KEEP HPD FROM ENDING PUBLIC ORDER 500 AND ENFORCING IMMIGRATION LAW.

Please contact Mayor Bill White and let him know (resources and message below).

Mayor Bill White
City of Houston
PO Box 1562
Hou TX 77251

PH: 832-393-1000

EMAIL: mayor@cityofhouston.net

OR speak before City Council tomorrow:
Call City Secretary 832-393-1100 to speak before the City Council public hearing on Tues., March 31 at 2 pm.

Message

FOR EXTENSIVE ANALYSIS of this issue and talking points to support our position…GO TO National Immigration Forum at www.immigrationforum.org or directly to link
http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/images/File/specialreport/CommunityPolicingPaper3-09.pdf

In general, the message is:

HPD already has an order (Public Order 500) that allows it to enforce any violation of criminal law, including criminal violations in immigration law.

Public Order 500 limits questioning for the sole purpose of establishing citizenship or for violations of civil immigration law. Being in the country without documents is
a civil violation not a criminal one.

Thus, HPD uses its resources wisely by focusing on criminal violations of law and not minor civil infractions.

More importantly, HPD policy strengthens public safety for all Houston residents.

Effective local policing relies on residents trusting the police. If any sector of the population, fears the police, then they will not report crimes, cooperate as witnesses or assist in investigations. It is a defacto forfeiting of their right to police services and protection.

It leaves criminals free to prey on this section of the community. For instance, a victim of domestic violence will hesitate to make a report if there is the belief that this action will lead to deportation. Reports of criminal activity will be suppressed or witnesses will refuse to come forward if people know that they or family members will be turned over to immigration authorities.

Apparently, Jacob Monty has the grand plan to bring back Latinos to the Republican Party. And they’ll do it by supporting their version of an immigration plan, which probably includes an all new Bracero program.

What Mr. Monty doesn’t seem to understand is that, along with voter suppression, anti-immigrant and anti-Latino rhetoric, and the over 900 hate groups that the GOP has helped develop, Latinos and most people of color aren’t going anywhere.

It’s all about policy. And when rhetoric and hate are the two tools which the Republican Party strives on to build their policy pronouncements, well, not even some wealthy Republatino will be able to change their minds.

Of course, that’s on top of Mr. Monty being known for helping “Liberal, Pro-Amnesty Mes’kins” in their election campaigns.

Cultural conservatism aside, Latinos are fast making political decisions based on who will help people get ahead educationally and economically, and not based on whose rights we violate next.

Kuff gives him his own left cross.

Fargo…
As Fargo, ND continues to flood, my thoughts are with my BFF from high school and her family–Vanessa, Rod, and Isaiah.

Hanging Out @ HCDP
After a morning catching up with my camarada Joe Montemayor at Coffee Contigo on the East Belt, I spent the rest of the morning (and now lunch) hanging out with the volunteers at the Democratic Bat Cave (HQ). We had some lively and fun discussion on the Rodeo, the Party, and other stuff. Every Friday, HCDP hosts a coffee get-together, so if you have some time, come on over. I even put my postcard labeling talents to work!

$1 a Day Unfair, Papers or Not!
The story in the Chron about undocumented folks working for $1 a day while awaiting their ouster from the U.S. caught my attention. I really don’t like the slavery mentality of the Prison system, especially if private prisons are benefiting from the $1 a day labor, and failing to hire additional staff. And it’s pretty sad that legalized slavery still happens, especially when the majority of those behind bars are black and/or Latino.

Ken Burns Gets It Right?
Looks like Ken Burns learned his lesson from his Latinoless War documentary. He’s set to release a documentary on Parks, according to my friend Carlos Guerra at the SA Express-News. Guerra mentions one Chicano who got a job with the Parks service after serving in the Civil Conservation Corps. In fact, there were a lot of Chicanos that gained valuable work experience because of CCA, including my brother-in-law’s dad. I may enjoy watching this one!

It’s CESAR CHAVEZ WEEKEND in HOUSTON! Check out the parade. (Information below).

We interrupt Cesar Chavez week to bring you this breaking news: Election 2010 has started

Ben and I drove south to Hurst last night for a meeting of the Mid-Cities Democrats, a grass-roots organization helping to change the face of power in North Texas. On their agenda for the evening were two Democratic candidates for state-wide office, John Sharp who is running for the Senate seat to be vacated by KBH and Tom Schieffer who is running for Texas Governor in 2010. We were met there by Judith Ford, Finance Chair for the Denton County Democratic Party and co-founder of the Democratic Women of Denton County.

First on the agenda was John Sharp, King of the Texas Good Ol’ Boys. Sharp is a very effective speaker and campaigner, his years in public office and his south Texas upbringing serve him very well in Texas politics. I loved that he referred to the proposed Voter ID bill as a “Voter Suppression Bill,” I was also impressed by the way he can connect to an audience. I also liked his rationalization for needing a Democratic Senator from Texas in Washington to prevent Texas from being locked out of the legislative process now that the Dems are back in power. As long as he’s speaking in generalities, he does just fine.

But when asked by Judith Ford during the Q & A, “What are you going to do in the U.S. Senate to bring factual sex education back into the classroom?” he didn’t have an answer. WTF! Texas is number 1 in the nation for teen pregnancies and STD’s. How can you be running for U.S. Senate from a state with those kinds of statistics and not have an answer? After the meeting, Judith approached him with contact information for Cecile Richards, asked him to give her a call and get educated before coming back to North Texas. Go, Judith!

Next up was Tom Schieffer. Schieffer is not a career politician, preferring to spend more of his time in the private sector as a corporate attorney and owner of the Texas Rangers. He is not, however, a political neophyte; he served in the Texas Legislature in the 1970’s and was later named Ambassador to Australia and most recently served as Ambassador to Japan. What a contrast to Sharp.

Schieffer spoke from the heart, sharing stories about his families commitment to public service–his sister was a career educator, his brother Bob Schieffer is a CBS news correspondent, Tom himself served on the Board of the Edna Gladney home in Fort Worth—and his vision for the future of Texas. He brought tears to my eyes when he talked about building the first ADA compliant ball park in the nation. He recalled how the team of builders and investors sometimes complained about the difficulties in making a project of this magnitude open to people with disabilities, but when the park was completed and they toured the stadium with folks in wheelchairs, walkers, and hearing aides, he realized that it was “not just the right thing to do, it was good for business.”

As more candidates announce, these races will become more interesting. On Monday, April 6th, Judith and I are traveling to Dallas for a meet and greet with Mayor Bill White, candidate for U.S. Senate. While I am confident that White will have a better answer for Judith’s question about sex education (he will be sharing the spotlight with Elena Marks of the PPFA), I’ll have some tough questions for him myself, including what his position is on 287g.

I’m also waiting for Leticia Van de Putte to announce for Governor. When you’re ready to come to north Texas, Leticia, I’d love to host a meet and greet for the Democratic Women of Denton County and we have a comfy guest bedroom with chocolates on the pillow.

A ver que pasa, se esta poniendo interesante.

Posted by Toni Medellin
Chair, Denton County Democratic Party Diversity Committee
Co-founder/Board Member, Democratic Women of Denton County
Chair, Precinct 419

Here are a few video snippets from a program called Song for Cesar, featuring Dolores Huerta, Julie Chavez Rodriguez and Paul Chavez, and Arturo Rodriguez (President of UFW).

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

It is with great delight that we inform you that the DREAM Act has been re-introduced in the US House & Senate!

However, this is only the beginning of something amazing! We still need to remain focused on our goal – MAKING the DREAM Act a REALITY. Now more than ever, our congress members need to hear our youth’s desire to become educated and productive citizens.

While you take action, please keep in mind that Numbers USA knows that the DREAM Act has been introduced and are asking their membership to call in OPPOSITION.

DREAM Advocate, this is our time to join forces and SUCCEED for the sake of our youth and the betterment of our nation.

Yours truly,

United We DREAM,
www.dreamactivist.org
Texas DREAM Act Coalition, &
University Leadership Initiative

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. Between today and April 3rd – Contact your Members of Congress (your Representative and BOTH Senators) and ask them to co-sponsor the DREAM Act.
2. Between April 4-19, 2009 – Members of Congress will be back in their states and districts . This is a perfect opportunity to meet with your Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor the bill. Make arrangements to meet with your representatives and if you have an event planned, invite the Representatives to attend.
3. Email your Representative – an email will automatically be sent to your Representatives asking him/her to co-sponsor the DREAM Act.
4. Sign the petition. Our goal is to have 65,000 people sign the petition – representing the number of students who graduate each year from high school who would benefit from the DREAM Act.