tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944453308213346902024-02-08T05:56:01.110-05:00Stop the Raids NewsUpdates, Upcoming Events, News, and Information about the movement to Stop the Ice Raids in the City of Danbury, In the State of Connecticut, and in the US.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-51172159312106233982007-12-29T14:34:00.000-05:002007-12-29T15:25:39.304-05:00287g VOTE 1/3!The Day is fast approaching. The January Common Council meeting has been set for 1/3 at 7:30pm at City Hall in Danbury. The most newsworthy point on this months agenda is the proposed institution of the 287g ICE ACCESS program. Insiders are fairly sure that this measure will be adopted, carte blanche, and unanimously by the common council. For those of you not familiar, the 287g ICE ACCESS program would enable local police to train with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and set forth a partnership where the specific officers who are trained would then be under the direction of, and subject to the FEDERAL jurisdiction of ICE. It would enable them to conduct investigations of suspected criminal aliens, and those facing final deportation orders. It would allow them to conduct raids, and to arrest and detain undocumented individuals who are part of the ICE jurisdiction. <br /><br />Several serious questions must be raised about this process, which the Common Council at this point does not seem to be raising.<br /><br />1. How will the program be paid for? Federal government only reimburses a certain percentage of the costs incurred by this program. It does NOT pay for things such as travel and lodging expenses, or food for the agents during the training. Further, once they finish training, the public has not been advised as to which charges will be covered by federal budget. As in, how will these investigations be paid for? Surveillance? Housing of those arrested and detained? WHERE will they be housed and detained? The current police department does not appear to have ample enough space in their jails to house a large increase in arrestees.<br /><br />2. While the already short staffed police force in Danbury perform these new duties, there will be at least 2 officers who will now be devoted to other duties, specifically those pertaining to issues of immigration. So, that means there will be 2 less officers on the beat to deal with the concerns of the average American resident, and the public safety issues in general. First of all, doesn't the Police already have the authority to arrest and detain anyone suspected of criminal wrong doing? Why do they need a partnership with ICE to allow this? Secondly, with two less officers on the beat handling general crime, will other police officers be asked to put in overtime hours, and how much will that cause the average danbury tax payer?<br /><br />3. A partnership with ICE can only cause problems in trust between local police, and our Immigrant Community. One of the most obvious examples of how the Immigrant community could suffer as a result of this program, is domestic abuse cases. Imagine you are a woman, undocumented, who is being abused, by a spouse or boyfriend. To even reach out and call the police, for even an American Citizen in such a situation is hard enough. Domestic Abuse victims and survivors suffer years of mistrust and "shell shock" and feelings of isolation from their abusive relationships. In this situation, often, reaching out and telling people what you are suffering can be hard enough to do, imagine then, how much more difficult it would be to report such a crime if you were simultaneously terrified of being arrested and deported yourself due to your lack of documents? Imagine how easy it would be for an abuser to use this tool to further terrify the abused "I'll call the cops on you, and they'll see you don't have documents. So shut up and do what I tell you...". etc. A slippery slope indeed.<br /><br />4. Members of the Immigrant Community have already privately pointed to situations in which they believe that they were discriminated against, and were victims of racial profiling and harassment due to their culture. Being that this sort of partnership with ICE has the potential to be abused, and to create a situation where frequent racial profiling is used as a tool to catch and deport "criminal aliens" how many of our Legal Hispanic and Latino residents could possibly be wrongfully detained, and harrassed even by our local police? Is there an assurance that common council can give us that this will NOT happen? Have they studied the program deeply enough to know? <br /><br /><br />These are just some of the questions that need to be raised by people at the Common Council meeting 1/3. The simple fact is, that even for those who may not be on the side of Immigrants, there are enough reasons to halt this process and ask that our common council take it to further study before accepting it. This is not a decision to enter into lightly, lest we expose ourselves to strains on our municipal police, on the taxpayers wallets, lest we expose ourselves to lawsuits incurred by civil rights violations, and less we further marginalize members of our immigrant community (legal, as well as undocumented). <br /><br />We at Stop the Raids urge you to come down to the City Hall and make your arguments that day, and say loud and clear to the common council "Don't pass the 287g program today!" and preferably, don't pass it, ever.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-21009427191645985542007-12-28T22:28:00.000-05:002007-12-28T22:45:54.535-05:00Huckabee and Dobbs, trained at the same school?One begins to wonder if all GOP candidates are studying at the same school as Lou Dobbs. <br /><br />Recently, Keith Olberman made a very interesting argument pointing out the <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2007/12/lawn_work_at_ro.html">Mitt Romney-esque</a> hypocrisy of Lou Dobbs, the rabid anti immigrant television news personality. Apparently, while railing against undocumented immigrants publically, <a href="http://www.longislandwins.com/blog/in_the_news/lou_dobbs_part_ii_dobbs_employ.php">Dobbs' financially supports the equestrian aspirations of his two daughters</a>, who are showjumping enthusiasts. The competitive equestrian industry employs thousands of undocumented immigrants annually. <br /><br />Meanwhile, in a very "six degrees of separation" moment, Lou Dobbs not only rails against Undocumented Immigrants, he also has a tendency to blatantly lie, and often twist facts, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/business/30leonhardt.html">such as this episode</a> where he cites a massive rise in cases of leprosy in the US, which he attributes to illegal immigration. Of course, there is one small problem. There was no huge rise in cases of leprosy. <br /><br />That sounds rather familiar...hmm. Who else is now spinning false statistics? Why..it's GOP Candidate Mike Huckabee! Yes, Mike Huckabee, that bastian of republican values, and the hardline candidate on Illegal Immigration. <a href="http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/12/28/537385.aspx">What does Huckabee have to say about Illegal Immigrants</a>? Well, he seems to believe that the largest percentage of Undocumented Immigrants in the US, except for those who come from South of the Mexican Border, are from...Pakistan! Could that be right? Apparently Not. But maybe he got that gem from Lou Dobbs. <br /><br />I'm sure that every anti immigrant in Danbury was frothing at the mouth when they heard that news, though. Maybe for a minute, they stopped picking on the Latino and Hispanic Immigrants and turned their ire, quite mistakenly, toward the currently <a href="http://www.newstimes.com/region/ci_7828486">Mourning, and Worried Pakistani Immigrant population</a>.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-33106386212377752892007-12-24T12:29:00.000-05:002007-12-24T13:14:23.110-05:00Businesses hurt by new Immigration Laws.Small business owners, especially those in the construction and other labor sectors are feeling the <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0733922520071207">crunch due to the changing local immigration laws</a>. Business owners say that it is nearly impossible to operate under the strict and harsh immigration laws rising up in individual cities across America, and they are increasingly urging our government to seek comprehensive immigration reform. <br /><br />Local communities will start feeling the pinch even more in the coming months, as not only is our economy negatively impacted by the loss of workers, but also, as <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2126758320071224">we begin to see more and more immigrants "Self-Deport" as a result of the hostile environments they find in many cities</a> who have chosen to take the matter of immigration reform into their own hands and enact strict anti immigrant policies and laws. <br /><br />Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1322625620071213">Legal Hispanic Residents and Citizens are also begining to feel the burn of these harsh anti immigrant laws</a>, feeling that they are being caught in the middle of this battle, and subjected to rising cases of discrimination, hate crimes, and racial profiling per the lastest Pew Hispanic Studies. <br /><br />The voice crying out for federal level Comprehensive Immigration Reform continues to grow, while anti immigrant and anti latino groups focus narrowly on an enforcement only policy of "Secure the Borders", which has since been picked up as a catch phrase in the 2008 Presidential Debates by both political parties. <br /><br />While the governments of local municipalities continue to take matters into their own hands, and the federal government refuses to act humanely and find some way toward amnesty or a path to citizenship, the line in the sand between those who value the many contributions of our immigrant population, and those who are apparently hellbent on "Purifying" America.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-2290286525014748592007-12-20T23:21:00.000-05:002007-12-20T23:43:00.632-05:00They are Human Beings.As we see individual communities sign on to programs like 287g ACCESS, and as we see communities such as Prince Williams County in Virginia enact very harsh anti immigrant laws, and as the cry from the Nativist Movement grows louder, and more hateful with each breath crying for Mass Deportations..there is one thing that is being forgotten.<br /><br />These are Human Beings.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the Nativist Bigots such as those in FAIR, NumbersUSA, The Minutemen, and other numerous hategroups will never tell you what actually happens in an ICE raid. And there will never be a camera recording the way ICE rushes into a home, in paramilitary style, terrorizing the homes occupants. There will never be a camera rolling inside a deportation center, showing you the abuses that occur there, or the children poking out from behind bars as they await deportation with their undocumented parents. And it is that very lack of actual footage that keeps people blinded to the human rights crisis we find ourselves in in this climate of hatred, discrimination, raids, and deportations. <br /><br />These are human beings. They are not "Aliens". Nor are they Cattle. They are not Slaves. And the vast and overwhelming majority of them are not criminals. They are human beings. Human beings who are working the jobs that many of us would never take. For the wages we would never accept, in conditions we would never tolerate. They are Human beings who have families, that they are struggling to keep united, and provided for. They are Human beings, who are being woefully abused by this system. Both as they work in our factories in horrible conditions, subjected to many work place abuses and violations, and by our own justice system. <br /><br /><br />On March 6, 2007, ICE conducted a very large scale raid on a leather factory in New Bedford, Massachusettes. Here is one womans tale, one HUMAN BEINGS tale of how she was treated.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2qG6FZbr9rM&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2qG6FZbr9rM&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Here's another testimony by a woman who was detained in an ICE raid in Illinois.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qADLyZctfok&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qADLyZctfok&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />And this little girl, brings us the often unseen side. The effect of these raids on the children they leave behind.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZGNYTW0hvZ8&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZGNYTW0hvZ8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-39482206638628674112007-12-19T12:05:00.000-05:002007-12-19T12:25:26.298-05:00Tereza Pereira, Danbury 11 days in Court.<a href="http://www.newstimes.com//ci_7735747?IADID=Search-www.newstimes.com-www.newstimes.com">Teresa Pereira, and the 9 remaining of the Danbury 11 are coming up upon their court trials.</a> These dates, in particular, are their most important court hearings to date, and could possibly be the final trial for those involved.<br /><br />Pereira, a Brazilian Immigrant who has been here for almost 20 years, and a mother of two American Citizen Children, faces deportation orders for having been here on an expired Visa. However, Pereira had been seeking legal help in regularizing her status, and through many mistakes made by the lawyer presenting her at that time, was not aware that she had fallen out of status. She is currently fighting deportation, on grounds that her American Born Sons would face immense hardship if they were to follow her back to Brazil. <br /><br />For a brief "refresher" on the case of Teresa Pereira, see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDq-aC004tQ">this video</a>. (Thanks CT Blogger!).<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oDq-aC004tQ&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oDq-aC004tQ&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />For a Refresher on the Danbury 11 case, and why this is such a ground breaking case for Danbury, please check in the archives of <a href="http://hatcityblog.blogspot.com/2006/12/hat-city-blog-interview-with-lawyers.html">Hat City Blog</a>.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-73731363137079649592007-12-19T11:21:00.000-05:002007-12-19T12:00:44.952-05:00Arizona : Test Case on Immigration.The State of Arizona has the eyes of the nation focused upon it this week, as it announces some of the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/opinion/18tue1.html?ex=1198645200&en=af91abfbaf3b6d23&ei=5070&emc=eta1">harshest laws penalizing employers </a>who hire Undocumented Immigrants. <br /><br />Under the new law, which goes into effect in early January, employers who hire undocumented immigrants would face a two strike law. On the first strike, they would face suspension of their business liscense. On the second strike, they would lose their liscense entirely. <br /><br />This announcement has sparked major controversy within the state, and has civil rights advocates, and business owners <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/19/us/19arizona.html?ex=1198731600&en=4fa1b4c5eaf675a4&ei=5070&emc=eta1">seeking emergency injuctions in court</a>, to bar this law from being implemented. <br /><br />Arizona is becoming a test case in the national debate over immigration, as it will be the first state to enact such harsh legislation. Advocates say that these penalites are already resulting in a mass exodus of Immigrants from Arizona, into other bordering states. <br /><br />The resulting economic chaos, and structural chaos this will create both within Arizona and in neighboring states, will quite possibly have a huge impact on the future debate of the Immigration Issue. Perhaps the screenwriters of the film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0377744/">"A Day Without a Mexican"</a> should make a new film, this one staged in Arizona.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-45771274870918796362007-12-15T00:27:00.000-05:002007-12-15T00:37:51.272-05:00What do Americans really think on Immigration?Over and over again, like a sad, and broken refrain, I hear the same message from the mouths of the most rabid anti-immigrant bigots. The sad chorus of "Most American Citizens want these illegals gone". But is that at all based in fact? Schewed studies have indeed noted that Immigration is a concern for the American Voter. However, just how much of a concern is an issue which is hotly debated. Many people place the Immigration Issue behind Health Care, Fiscal Concerns, The War in Iraq, and other issues. <br /><br />Further, as this report on <a href="http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/29343/americans_split_on_illegal_immigration_debate">Angus-Reid.com</a> points out, the true opinion of what MOST American Voters believe should be done in response to the Immigration Issue appears to be quite different than the "DEPORT THEM!" crowd would want you to believe. <br /><br />According to this report on Angus-Reid, with statistics gleaned from polls conducted by the New York Times, and CBS news:<br /><br />38% of American Citizens Polled, believe that Immigrant workers should be allowed to stay in their jobs, and eventually apply for US Citizenship.<br /><br />28% Believe that Immigrant workers should be allowed to reenter under temporary guest worker status, but not be eligible for citizenship.<br /><br />28% Believe that Immigrant workers should be forced to leave (be deported).<br /><br />6% Say they are not sure. <br /><br /><br />While it is clear that this means that there is far from an overwhelming concensus on the issue, the majority clearly does not want to see all Undocumented Workers rounded up and deported, as the old refrain goes.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-53321275528409177282007-12-14T23:05:00.000-05:002007-12-19T12:28:34.627-05:00Prince William County, Virginia, Is this the Future of Danbury?As Danbury continues to wait with baited breath, the next step in the debate over the Local Government's proposed enaction of the 287g ICE ACCESS program, other communities across this country have already begun to enact even more strict, and harmful laws and codes to harrass, intimidate, and drive out Immigrants from their towns. <br /><br />Take for instance, bucolic <a href="http://www.co.prince-william.va.us/">Prince William County, Virginia</a>. Where they "Treasure the Past, and the Promise of our Future" by encouraging county agencies to look for ways to deny county services to people of undocumented, or unverifiable citezenship status. Now, let's be clear here. PWC Virginia did pass this legislation. <a href="http://www.nbc4.com/news/14355672/detail.html">And it is some of the harshest anti immigrant legislation to date.</a> Including provisions that police are allowed to check immigration status on the most minor of offenses (as in..littering or jaywalking), and that authorities are also welcome to check for documents before allowing access to services such as, oh.. parks, public libraries, pools, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, DRUG REHAB, SENIOR SERVICES.<br /><br />Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.newstimes.com/latestnews/ci_7723270">Mayor Mark Boughton, announced today in his State of the City address</a>, his plan to create a special "Downtown Taskforce" with the aim of addressing challenges to the atmosphere of downtown danbury (i.e blight, etc), and also to make it mandatory for those seeking shelter at the city's New Street Shelter commit to either performing community service, or enrolling in a program where they can "better themselves". Interesting, isn't it? Now, call me a conspiracy theorist. But, just on the threshold of the city deciding whether or not to enact the 287g ICE ACCESS program here in Danbury, a program which would allow local police to conduct federal ICE duties, we also see this new policy about homeless shelters. One can conceivably imagine that in order to obtain services such as drug abuse programs, or other, that perhaps one might need to have some sort of document. It would be interesting to see whether the board of supervisors in Prince William County are counted amongst the ranks of the <a href="http://www.supportreform.org/">Mayors and County Executives for Immigration Reform</a>, which is Mayor Mark Boughton's very own anti-immigrant hate group, only, they keep their white robes tucked in their brooks brothers suits. (By the way, Mark, you really should step beyond that oh so clinical stock photography you have on the homepage.)<br /><br />The good news in all of this? Today, <a href="http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1207/480666.html">the U.S Commission on Civil Rights has finally come forth and announced they will be investigating these laws</a>, and how they have been carried out thus far, to answer to claims of possible discrimination and civil rights violations since their implementation, and the people of Prince William County have been actively fighting back with protests.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IcLOgyjJEdk&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IcLOgyjJEdk&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Since the case of the <a href="http://hatcityblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/danbury-11-story-deepens.html">Danbury 11</a> brought the idea of Civil Rights Violations by Local Law Enforcement to the forefront months ago, here in Danbury, this will be a very important case for Mayor Boughton, and his anti immigrant cronies to keep an eye on, in the coming months. Let us hope that the 287g laws are not enacted here, and that the realization that every move he makes against the immigrant community here in Danbury will be noted, and watched, and reported, makes Mayor Mark Boughton a little less trigger happy with his anti immigrant legislative dreams.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-89467658620239502112007-12-14T14:35:00.000-05:002007-12-14T15:24:41.660-05:00Warning-STRONG LANGUAGE (Strong Point).While I usually do not frequent sites having any tags related to Goth, Emo, or other distressed lifestyles, this blog entry from a blogger called "Suicide Girlz" came across in my Google News Alerts today, and provided a much needed tone of sanity to the immigration debate, despite the "insanity" of the Blog's Title. I would caution you that the language used on this site, and in the post, is rather harsh, and indeed, vulgarity laced, but the point is well worth the read. Scrape off the rough layers of anger, and look at the quotes, keeping in mind as you do so the so-called "Staggering" 4 million dollar in one quarter <a href="http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=7356483">"medical bill" attributed to "Illegal Immigrants" purportedly "leaked" by an insider at the hospital to WTNH news in CT. </a><br /><br />Studies are continually showing that <a href="http://suicidegirls.com/news/politics/22811/">Undocumented Immigrants pay far more into our system in taxes, than they ever wind up utilizing in way of Health Benefits</a>, or any other benefit. <br /><br />So, in light of what the statistics, and experts say, regarding the "Staggering" costs of Immigrants to our healthcare system, and how very underwhelming those costs are, especially in comparison with the amount of financial (tax) wealth immigrants pour into our system year by year, this, (amongst many other reasons) poses a serious question about the legitimacy of the so-called "Official Record" from the Danbury Hospital, in general.<br /><br />As a side note, having been thrown under the bus by a severe case of Pneumonia, complicated by atsma, last week, I wound up in the Emergency room at Danbury Hospital twice. And found myself searching the emergency room for even one Immigrant family or patient. I found not one.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-30922724439180929252007-12-13T09:40:00.000-05:002007-12-13T10:35:00.313-05:00Washington Post on the Nativist Agenda in the Immigration Debate.Interesting article I have found on the <a href="http://www.ndnblog.org/?q=node/1597">NDN Blog</a> regarding the political frenzy which has been whipped up regarding Immigration in this years campaign season. Newest studies from the Pew Hispanic Center, and statistics from the FBI Hatecrimes Database are showing that the number of hatecrimes and instances of other hate-fueled discriminations, have grown exponentially in the last year, as a result of a virulently anti immigrant atmosphere, which is propelled further by the GOP, who see the lives of our Immigrant Neighbors as a toy they can play with, (Judging from their rhetoric thus far) in order to garner votes from a conservative republican populace. Meanwhile, simultaneously, Democrats are appearing to avoid the topic of immigration reform at all cost, and waffle continuously. <br /><br />While Congress has failed to pass any meaningful immigration reform, all talk of future resolution seems to almost exclude any compassionate/logical path to legalization, or amnesty for those immigrants here now, and concentrate almost entirely on enforcement only measures, which appeal to a anti immigrant agenda, while Immigrant Lives, and Civil Liberties, and Basic Human Compassion, have come under increasing attack in our nation. <br /><br />It is time that America started looking very closely at this issue, it is time for people to wake up, and take a very close look at the true statistics in this debate, and stopped listening to rhetoric and false information circulated by the Numbers USA, FAIR hategroups, and asked themselves some serious questions.<br /><br />1. Who are being effected by the anti immigrant climate in the US? Undocumented Immigrants only? Statistics prove otherwise.<br /><br />2. In a political climate in which our possible participation in Torture (i.e Waterboarding) is such a hot topic, how can we simultaneously decry torture as a human rights violation, and approve of enforcement only techniques to the immigration debate which would tear families apart, put them in deportation centers (prisons), strip away their access to emergency medical care, and housing, leaving many Immigrants in increasingly destitute, hopeless, and untenable conditions? This "Smoke em out" mentality is, make no mistake, just another form of torture, and yet another form of <a href="http://www.youthforhumanrights.org/introduction/udhr_abridged.html">human rights</a> violations. <br /><br />3. Who are the groups/individuals driving this current anti immigrant/xenophobic (and racist) agenda? Groups like Numbers USA, and FAIR who have been founded by blatant racists with ties to Neo Nazi Groups (<a href="http://hatcityblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/long-overdueand-well-deserved.html">See this wonderful article at Hat City Blog</a>)<br /><br />4. With these being the case, how can we continue to turn our eyes away from this subject, or allow our leaders to do so? Time to turn up the heat, people. For more information on how to become involved, please contact us and we will add you to our mailing list for all upcoming Stop the Raids events.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-79514514487173504862007-12-11T20:16:00.000-05:002007-12-19T17:32:20.551-05:00150 Immigrants Rights Supporters March in Hartford!150 Immigrants Rights Supporters Marched in Hartford, In front of the ICE Headquarters this week, and what an amazing site it was. Far from the myth that the Stop the Raids movement is dead here in CT, this march proved that people from many different groups, and from all regions in CT detest the ICE Raids which are terrifying workers, and ripping apart latino families, nation wide. <br /><br />While the Anti Immigrant groups such as FAIR, and NUMBERS USA would like you to believe that the Immigrants Rights Movement is a dying movement, and that they have indeed one the battle, <a href="http://fox61.trb.com/">I believe that this video footage from FOX 61 </a>proves that there are still those who will continue to march, continue to speak out, and continue to stand up to the face of the Xenophobic Madness which is currently fueling these policies which are threaghtening our communities. <br /><br />NUMBERS USA folks, as is par for the course with Hate Groups, continually bakes lies and misinformation, to make it seem as if their opinion, opinions based deeply in hatred, are the opinions of the majority of Americans. But, when one stacks their numbers at their own demonstrations, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1d874GfxCo">with the numbers of those who march in the streets at every pro immigrant rights activity</a>, one clearly sees this as just another lie. <br /><br />The people are still speaking. The people are still marching. STOP THE RAIDS!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/c1d874GfxCo&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/c1d874GfxCo&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-49570028035727212242007-12-10T20:11:00.000-05:002007-12-10T20:18:48.075-05:00Numbers USA and FAIR created by white Supremacists?Well, looks like one only needs to follow the trail a little bit, <a href="http://www.unbossed.com/index.php?itemid=1542">to find the very prevalent roots of groups such as F.A.I.R and NUMBERS USA in the White Supremacist Movement.</a> As if we ever had any doubt. <br /><br />Those who read and participate in such groups are usually the ones hanging out on the Danbury News Times Live messageboard linked to Topix, and can also be found hanging out at the American Legion on Wednesday Nights here in good old Danbury (*Cough* CTCIC, USCFILE). And are masters of quoting the supposed "Facts" of the immigration issue. Having had runins with members of these groups, and who are rabid fans of FAIR and of NUMBERS USA, I have to say that it doesn't surprise me that they are circulating erroneous information, or even that they have links to White Supremacy Groups.<br /><br />From Unbossed.com<br /><br /><blockquote>The mothership of hate is U.S., Inc., an organization created by Tanton that simultaneously funds lobbyists, researchers and media who promote racist views while accepting funding from eugenics, neo-Nazis and wealthy ultraconservatives with a penchant for white supremacy. A former ophthalmologist, Tanton, to borrow a Biblical reference, appears to have a log in his own eye regarding immigrants, especially brown-colored ones. <br /><br />Tanton made his mark in the 1970s when he chaired the Sierra Club’s National Population Committee, among other leadership positions in mainstream environmental and family planning causes. When his colleagues rejected his extreme ideas, he took a hard right turn toward unabashed anti-immigration with a virulently racist tone. <br /><br />Chief among the groups Tanton has founded or funded are: NumbersUSA, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) and the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS). All of them are regularly cited in media accounts as valid sources of information on immigration. </blockquote><br /><br /><br />Point to this post is, as usual, Don't believe the hype. Not one word that these hate groups circulate, anyway.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-88504809061823443482007-10-13T09:45:00.000-04:002007-10-13T09:58:47.610-04:00Stop the Raids and Allies Defend Danbury 11, and condemn No-Match Letters.Stop the Raids, Trinity Students, AFL-CIO, ACLU, amongst other organizations, were in Hartford yesterday announcing on-going support for the Danbury 11, including a Parade to be held in Hartford Monday, Oct 15th at 7:00 AM, which will march to the Hartford District Superior Court Building before the Danbury 11's next trial. <br /><br />Another reason for the press conference was to condemn the SS work place <a href="http://www.ice.gov/partners/employers/safeharbor/index.htm">No Match </a>letters which are a current tactic of ICE to conduct raids and deportations. <br />The link above is from ICE's own website. To read more information on how this program undermines the rights of workers, and why this program is ineffective, and how it is a great cause of concern for it's possibility of abuse, <a href="http://www.feedsyndicate.com/articles/7008796544">read more here</a>.<br /><br />Read about the <a href="http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/courts/standing_up_for_danbury_11.php#more">press conference</a> hereSTOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-7026350294338856292007-10-11T13:38:00.000-04:002007-10-11T13:39:12.946-04:00PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT!Join the American Civil Liberties Union, AFL-CIO, Stop the Raids! and<br /> many others as we rally to oppose ICE raids and the ‘No-Match’<br /> program! <br /><br />FRIDAY: Press conference to announce mass mobilization in defense of<br /> the Danbury 11, 12 noon, <br />Federal Courthouse, 450 Main St., Hartford; Speak-out at Trinity<br /> College at 4 p.m., Cave Patio, Mather Hall<br /><br />MONDAY: Mass mobilization in solidarity with the Danbury 11 as they<br /> receive a judge's decision on their request for a trial. 8 a.m., Federal<br /> Courthouse, 450 Main St., Hartford. <br /><br />We have a unique opportunity in Connecticut to challenge the ICE raids<br /> in open court! Don't miss it! <br />---------------------------------------------------------------<br />Unity Statement in Opposition to No-Match Letters and ICE Raids<br /><br />We, the undersigned, hereby endorse the National Day of Action against<br /> the Bush Administration’s No-Match Program and the raids by<br /> Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that has been called for Friday,<br /> October 12th by the National Alliance for Immigrant Rights and the March<br /> 10th Coalition. <br /><br />On that day – Friday, October 12th – we will hold a press<br /> conference at noon in front of the federal building in Hartford to call for a<br /> mass mobilization on the following Monday, October 15th at 8 a.m. in<br /> solidarity with the Danbury 11, as they receive the judge’s decision on<br /> their request for a trial. The protest on Monday, like the press<br /> conference on Friday, will take place in front of the federal building in<br /> Hartford. <br /><br />Also on October 12th, students at Trinity College will hold a speak-out<br /> from 4-5:30 p.m. at Mather Hall/ Cave Patio, 300 Summit St, Hartford.<br /> The speak-out was called by Stop the Raids! Students of Trinity College<br /> to raise support for the Danbury 11 mobilization. <br /><br />We join with millions of immigrants and allies across the country in<br /> opposing the No-Match Letter Program, which perpetuates a cycle of<br /> discrimination against both immigrant workers and low wage laborers of all<br /> types and is often used as a weapon to target union-organized factories<br /> and workplaces. The ACLU and AFL-CIO have already filed a lawsuit in<br /> response to a government plan to send out no-match letters to millions of<br /> workers, both documented and undocumented.<br /><br />The trial of the Danbury 11, in effect, puts ICE on trial. The Danbury<br /> 11 is a group of Ecuadorian day laborers unconstitutionally arrested in<br /> an illegal sting done as a collaborative effort between the Danbury<br /> police and ICE. The Eleven were moved around the country (some to as far<br /> away as Texas), denied counsel with a lawyer, or contact with their<br /> families. This sets a truly frightening precedent for all U.S. residents,<br /> and we must send a clear message to ICE that respect for both<br /> constitutional and human rights must be observed. <br /><br />A trial for the Danbury 11 would pose a series of severe legal<br /> questions for ICE:<br />• Is it legal for ICE to racially profile individuals and arrest them<br /> without a warrant? <br />• Is it legal for ICE to transport detainees to prisons in Texas for<br /> a civil offense in Connecticut? <br />• Are the courts permitted to deny bond or right of appeal or right<br /> to appear in court to a person because he or she is suspected of being<br /> undocumented? <br />• Is it legal for local or state police to enforce federal<br /> immigration law? <br /><br />A victory here is a victory for workers everywhere. Please support the<br /> rights of all working people and join us for this important occasion. <br /><br />Endorsers:<br />American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut<br />Connecticut AFL-CIO<br />Connecticut Center for a New Economy<br />Kurt Westby, CT District Chairman, Service Employees International<br /> Union, Local 32BJ<br />Art Perry, Political Director, Service Employees International Union,<br /> Local 32BJ <br />Laura Smith, President, Local 34, FUE UNITE HERE <br />Marie C. Lausch, President, United Electrical Radio & Machine Workers<br /> of America, Local 222<br />John Woodruff, Vice-President, UE Local 222 – CILU/CIPU, Danbury<br />Maria-Cinta Lowe, former director, Hispanic Center of Greater Danbury <br />Jorge Cabrera, New England Regional Council of Carpenters<br />Rev. Paul J. Murdock, Sagrado Corazon Church, Willimantic <br />Jorge Múgica, March 10th Coalition, Chicago<br />STOP THE RAIDS! Students of Trinity College<br />United Caribbean Club, Central Connecticut State University<br />Jeff Crosby, President, North Shore Labor Council (Mass.)<br />Fatima Rojas, Unidad Latina en Acción, New Haven<br />Mark Rutkowski, Progressive Students Alliance, Central Connecticut<br /> State University<br />Stephanie Luce, Associate Professor, Labor Center, University of<br /> Massachusetts-Amherst<br />David Amdur, Connecticut Program Coordinator American Friends Service<br /> Committee<br />Peter Goselin, coordinator, National Lawyers Guild - Connecticut<br /> Chapter<br />Marela Zacarias, Latinos Contra La Guerra, Hartford<br />Jean Hislop, Campaign to Stop the ICE Raids, Danbury<br />Youth for Socialist Action, Central Connecticut State University <br />Stacey Zimmerman, Lead Political/Community Organizer, SEIU CT State<br /> Council<br />Monica Bunton, organizer, UNITE-HERE Local 217, HartfordSTOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-54534587603536603052007-10-06T19:37:00.000-04:002007-10-06T19:47:34.121-04:00More fall out from ACCESS program in other cities.While Danbury continues to study the possibility of implementing the 287g ACCESS program here in Danbury, other cities are beginning to see overwhelmingly negative fallout as a result of the program. <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/100407dnmetdeportimpact.367c0bd.html">This article from the Dallas Morning News </a>reports that immigrants in their community are so terrified by the program, that they are withdrawing their children from schools, many of those same children, are even American Citizens. Likewise, immigrants are now deeply mistrustful of local authorities. Even Legal immigrants are terrified of the effects of this program, many even reluctant to drive their cars to work for fear of being pulled over by the police, based on nothing more but the color of their skin. This article illustrates easily the kind of climate that could pervade danbury were such an ordinance implemented.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-27112119407427901922007-10-06T19:27:00.000-04:002007-10-06T19:37:38.071-04:00Protest write up.The turn out to Tuesday Nights Protest was wonderful, considering the short time in which the protest was planned. Approximately 30-35 people showed up to the actual protest, and an additional 15-20 went directly inside to the Common Council meeting. Approximately 7 people spoke out against the 287g being implemented in Danbury, while around 4 or 5 spoke in favor of it. The number who spoke in favor, were all members and friends of The anti immigrant groups CTCIC and USCFILE. While the 7 who spoke against the proposal included danbury residents from all walks of life. Interfaith community members, people involved in the Immigrants Rights movements, local political candidates, concerned residents. <br /><br />In conclusion the proposal was sent to corporate council, where it is to be "Studied further", before a vote is cast. <br /><br />Outside, spontaneous heated debates were struck between activists for the immigrants rights cause, and many of the racist/xenophobic anti immigrant groups over the issue. <br /><br />For an update on the decision by city council, please <a href="http://www.newstimeslive.com/news/story.php?id=1186572173&source=related_stories">read here</a>.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-59235352908586617202007-10-05T13:53:00.000-04:002007-10-05T13:57:43.512-04:00While you wait.While we continue to work on the write up of the protest in Danbury on Tuesday Evening, this article is a must read for those involved in Immigrants Rights. It describes the effects of the 287g program on one community that had implemented the program in their city. This is NOT a program you want here in Danbury, or elsewhere in the State. Frankly, it's NOT a program that you should want in this country, at all, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/opinion/04thur2.html?_r=1&oref=slogin ">as this Article, from the NY Times</a> clearly shows.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-61170910015094694772007-10-04T23:35:00.000-04:002007-10-04T23:37:41.412-04:00Update Coming..We apologize for not updating since the night of the protest. Things have been very busy, but we will be posting the results from the protest very soon. We would like to thank everyone for coming out to Danbury, the press for covering it, and the Danbury residents who spoke and made it quite clear that the 287g has NO place in Danbury. <br /><br />We'll be back soon, with the full details!STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-86461230207657277392007-10-02T10:04:00.000-04:002007-10-02T10:22:04.524-04:00UPDATE: PERMIT OBTAINED!!!!!Just a quick update, the Permit for the protest has been obtained, and we are going foward with our legal protest in front of City Hall on Deer Hill Avenue, in Danbury at 7pm. NOTE: We must remain on the South Lawn of City Hall for this protest, as to not block the flow of traffic into the city hall parking lot. City Hall hosts many meetings and functions in the evening, and we must be sure not to hinder people from coming or going. So... See you tonight!STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-69145956653107675982007-09-30T23:54:00.000-04:002007-09-30T23:57:43.899-04:00Protest Planned!Dear Friends and Supporters,<br /> <br />For those of you who do not already know, the City Council in Danbury is meeting this week to discuss whether or not to adopt the segment of the Nationalization and Immigration law called the 287g ACCESS program. If accepted, this program would deputize local police to carry out Federal Immigration duties, including arrests, and raids which would then be carried out into deportations. Immigrants rights supporters in Danbury strenuously oppose this act being implemented, as it would easily create a witchhunt climate here in Danbury which would force the Immigrant Community even further into the shadows, and continue the assault upon Workers, and upon Families of mixed and varied immigration status. <br /> <br />A protest is planned for 10/2 in front of City hall on Deer Hill Avenue in Danbury, at 7:00pm. However, we have reason to be concerned that a recently enacted parade ordinance might interfere with our plan to protest that evening. An ordinance was passed in July that restricts any public gathering to 25 people or less, unless a permit is obtained. While our gathering is intended to be much larger than 25 people, it is a freedom of speech event. That being the case, many of the requirements for the permit do not apply to us (such as liability insurance, a filing fee, etc). However, we can still be denied based on the time constraints we were working under. A Stop the Raids member did apply for a permit on Friday early afternoon, and was told she would receive an answer on Monday. We are currently awaiting that response. If we are denied, and choose to then go foward as planned, we will seek legal council about getting an emergency injunction, and obtain legal observers, however, we could still be subject to fines up to $100.00's, as individuals. And that also means, that certain segments of our community who chose to join us in protest, would be especially at risk. So it is very necessary that you keep an eye on your email, to check for any alerts, or to contact either myself (203)512-3452 or by email bruxagatinha203@yahoo.com, or Jason McGahan (860) 538-3920 or by email at jason.mcgahan@trincoll.edu before heading out to the Protest. We are waiting for final word from the permits office, and may seek emergency legal action if we are barred from protesting. <br /> <br />Again, supporters of Immigrants Rights must have a strong presence that evening. IF YOU SUPPORT IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS, THIS IS AN ACTION YOU CANNOT MISS! The effects of this policy in Danbury, would have long reaching effects on immigrant communities, and the towns in which they live. If you are a Danbury Resident, please consider attending the Council Meeting IN Council Chambers to speak your mind on this issue. If you are from a surrounding town, you may also sit in on the meeting, however, only Danbury residents and tax payers are allowed to speak. Any support in the audience, though, for those who will be supporting the Cause of Immigrants on the inside of Council Chambers will be greatly appreciated, and encouraged. <br /> <br />Sincerely,<br />Jean C. Hislop<br />Stop the Raids, DanburySTOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-27827583235265592932007-09-26T23:11:00.000-04:002007-09-26T23:38:25.394-04:00Danbury 11 files suit agains the City of Danbury!With the help of Yale Law Schools legal Clinic, members of the Danbury 11 are filing a law suit against the City of Danbury for what appears to be Violations of their Civil Rights committed at the time of their arrest on 9/19 of 2006. <br /><br />Despite Mayor Mark Boughton's assertions that neither he, or the local police had any involvement in the immigration sting which was conducted that day at Kennedy Park in which 11 Ecuadorian Day Laborers were lured into a van by authorities, disguised as contractors, and then arrested on alleged immigration violations, new documents have come to light through an FOI filed by the students at Yale Law, which contradict the Mayor's earlier statements. These documents assert that the Van which was used in the Sting was actually driven by a local police officer, NOT an Ice Agent, amongst other issues, prompting the question "What jurisdiction did a Local Police officer have to make that warrantless arrest?". And if this warrantless arrest was sanctioned and/or encouraged by the towns Mayor, then why did he deny the local police involvement with the sting? <br /><br />Yale Law Students, today, held a Press Conference where they discussed these questions.<br /><br />Please view the following news coverage at <a href="http://hatcityblog.blogspot.com/">Hat City Blog</a> for more information. <br /><br />You can also view video coverage at <a href="http://www.wtnh.com/">WTNH channel 8's </a>website<br /><br />Read the article about it at <a href="http://www.nbc30.com/news/14209374/detail.html">WVIT</a><br /><br />or at the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/26/nyregion/26daylabor.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin">New York Times</a><br /><br />And there is sure to be more to come.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-90725433041631648702007-09-20T23:39:00.000-04:002007-09-22T21:21:01.237-04:00Media Coordinator for NumbersUSA studies at the same school as Lou Dobbs.Apparently, the leaders of NumbersUSA study at the same school of lies that <a href="http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/53409/">Lou Dobb's graduated from</a>. <br /><br />In a recent episode of the morning talk show program on KHOW-AM (of Colorado) Talk show host Peter Boyles, and Media Cooridnator for the Anti Immigrant group "<a href="http://www.numbersusa.com/index">NumbersUSA</a>" spun lies and misinformation about the <a href="http://rs9.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN00774:@@@L&summ2=m&">DREAM act</a>. <br /><br />"<em>Discussing the latest version of the federal DREAM Act on the September 18 broadcast of his 630 KHOW-AM show, Peter Boyles allowed guest Caroline Espinosa -- the media coordinator for the anti-illegal immigration activist group NumbersUSA -- to claim that the legislation would make certain illegal immigrants "instantly non-deportable." Espinosa further falsely claimed that sponsors of the legislation "are not asking anybody to provide proof that they were here ... illegally ... before the age of 16." However, according to Section 3305 (2)(B)(b)(1) of the DREAM Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security "shall terminate the conditional permanent resident status of any alien" who fails to meet the required conditions of their status, including one who "become[s] a public charge" or receives "other than honorable discharge from the uniformed services." In that case, the immigrant's status would revert to illegal, making the immigrant deportable.</em> "- from <a href="http://colorado.mediamatters.org/items/200709200005">Colorado Media Matters</a><br /><br />While the DREAM act is far from a fair and Comprehensive Immigration Reform Plan, the spin that these two anti immigrants have put upon it, typifies the anti immigrant propaganda campaign. This bears mentioning, because recently the <a href="http://www.newstimeslive.com">Danbury News Times Comments section</a> has been flooded with spam messages with links to the Numbers USA website, and many a local community member is being misinformed, and misled by such "masters" of political spin as these individuals. Local anti-immigrant groups <a href="http://ctcic.net/ctcicnewsletterspring07.pdf">CTCIC</a> (as demonstrated in its' spring newsletter where NumbersUSA and another well known political spin artist Lou Dobbs are quoted) and <a href="http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_jun06nl12">USCFILE</a> are big proponants of their brothers from NumbersUSA. <br /><br />*Note: USCFILE's website is down, but when it is back up, an update to this article with their promotion of NumbersUSA will be added.<br /><br />*UPDATE: USCFILE's website is back up, and sure enough guess what site they're advertising? <a href="http://www.uscfile.org/links.htm">USCFILE's Links Page</a> has NumbersUSA as a reccomended site, which again, just goes to prove how far they are willing to go to mislead the public, and even have the NumbersUSA website in the left column links bar, where it reads "<a href="http://www.numbersusa.com/actionbuffet">Fax your representatives free</a>".STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-66296818932683757142007-09-18T21:13:00.000-04:002007-09-18T21:15:36.009-04:00Said Zaim-Sassi DeportedWhile the battle of the Danbury 11 continues, Sadly, Morroccon Immigrant Said Zaim-Sassi lost his battle with ICE, on September 6th, <a href="http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2007/09/moroccan_immigr.php">New Haven Independent Reports</a>.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-79855950797555165482007-09-18T21:01:00.000-04:002007-09-18T21:10:58.698-04:00Danbury 11 Trial Results.<a href="http://www.newstimeslive.com/news/story.php?id=1186571368&source=tabbox">The trial of the Danbury 11 continues</a>! The fight of activists, lawyers, community members, and faith groups to support the remaining 9 of 11 day laborers illegally arrested at Kennedy Park in September of last year, has made it possible to see that the Danbury 11 are having their story heard, and to have their case continued until October.STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-794445330821334690.post-73105145718988402812007-09-18T21:00:00.000-04:002007-09-18T21:01:11.730-04:00STOP THE RAIDS FORUM!STOP THE RAIDS!<br />How can the Immigrant Community Protect itself?<br />A Public forum<br /><br />Saturday, September 22nd 6:00 pm<br />Basement of Saint Augustine's church<br />10 Campfield Avenue, Hartford<br /><br />Speakers:<br /><br />Maximo Morales<br /> Victim of a warrantless immigration arrest in Hartford<br /><br />Father Thomas Mitchell<br /> Pastor, St. Augustine's Church. How can we prepare for the next ICE<br /> raid in Hartford before it happens?<br /><br />Jason McGahan<br /> Stop the Raids - Trinity College. What is the purpose of the raids?<br /> What are immigrants doing around the country to fight back? <br /><br />Yessica Orbegozo<br /> Educator on immigrants rights in case of raid<br /><br />What is the context and purpose of immigration raids in Hartford and<br /> across the country? What are immigrants and their allies doing in other<br /> parts of the country to fight back?<br /><br />Hartford has been key role to the nationwide assault on immigrants by<br /> acting as a testing ground for new police methods such as arresting<br /> immigrants in court buildings, denying their right to appeal and setting<br /> their bond too high to pay. Mayor Perez has welcomed ICE into Hartford,<br /> even referring to one sweep as a positive example of "an ongoing effort<br /> amongst local, state and national authorities." This forum will<br /> include a discussion of how the immigrant community and its allies can<br /> organize effectively against these attacks and win the full legalization for<br /> all that will eliminate the legal basis for the raids. <br /><br />Sponsored by "Stop the Raids!" - Trinity College<br />For more information call 860-810-0253STOP THE RAIDS NEWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07721929766981217693noreply@blogger.com0