A Latino Civil Rights Group is Pleading for an END to Latino Hate Crimes and taking it to international Court! They are seeking to:1. End Hate Crimes against Latinos
2. End the 287(g) program (the end to Arpaio´s Racial Profiling tactics!)
Rights Group Accuses U.S. of Failing to Protect Latinos
Published: December 18, 2008
A civil rights legal advocacy group, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, filed an unusual international petition Thursday accusing the United States of failing to adequately protect Latinos living within its borders, regardless of citizenship. The claim was filed with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, an organ of the Organization of American States, of which the United States is a founding member. It charges that the United States is failing to live up to the group’s declaration on human rights, the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man. It cites violence against Latinos, including the murders over the past five months of three immigrants: José Sucuzhañay in Brooklyn last week, Marcelo Lucero in the Long Island town of Patchogue on Nov. 8, and Luis Ramirez in Shenandoah, Pa., on July 14. In all three cases, prosecutors say the assailants used anti-Latino slurs. Hate-crime attacks on Latinos rose 40 percent between 2003 and 2007, the petition says, citing the F.B.I.
The complaint also cites the rising use of agreements that allow local communities to deputize their police forces to carry out immigration law. They were created after Sept. 11, 2001, to increase cooperation between local police departments and federal immigration authorities. The group argues that deputization leads the police to treat all Latinos as suspects of immigration violations, engenders mistrust of the police among Latinos, divides communities and promotes a belief that Latinos can be attacked with impunity. The complaint notes that such an ordinance was adopted in Shenandoah and was under consideration in Suffolk County, where Patchogue is situated. The United States has not recognized the commission’s decisions as binding, but has sometimes responded to them in the diplomatic arena, lawyers at LatinoJustice say. The State Department had no immediate comment on the petition.
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33 comments:
I know this topic will spur discussion. Please abide by the rules of the blog and keep your comments ON TOPIC and CIVIL.
Some reference information about prldef.org, a CITIZEN Civil Rights Advocacy Group:
Our Founding:
In 1972, when the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund began its work, Puerto Ricans had no voice and were almost totally excluded from participating in public life. From the courts to town councils, from boardrooms to classrooms, Puerto Ricans were simply invisible.
Three young attorneys— Jorge Batista, Victor Marrero and Cesar A. Perales—decided to establish an organization that could challenge the nation's barriers and provide Latinos with the legal resources to overcome the obstacles that frustrated their dreams and limited their lives. In 1972, in a non-descript office on Second Avenue, PRLDEF was born.
So what does the rights of Puerto Rican CITIZENS have to do with illegal aliens?
There will never be end to ANY hate crimes regardless of the ethnic group targeted because we will always have racists among us. Just like we will never have and end to murders, rapes and other crimes. All we can do is hope they are prosecuted and the criminals punished.
The enforcement of our immigraton laws should continue just like the enforcement of our other laws. Enforcing our laws has nothing to do with hate or hate crimes. If we didn't enforce our laws there would be a lot more hate to deal with. Enforcing our laws is what keeps hate at bay.
Why are you trying to make a connection between hate crimes and enforcing our immigration laws? Have any law enforcement personnel committed any of the hate crimes listed? No, they were individuals outside of law enforcement.
How do you propose that Latinos get extra protection in this country to prevent hate crimes against them? Do you also propose that other ethnic groups get special protection for the same types of crimes? Where is the taxpayer money going to come from to accomplish this? How do you propose how racists should sought out and make sure they don't commit hate crimes? A crime has to be committed before it can be prosecuted.
"The claim was filed with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, an organ of the Organization of American States, of which the United States is a founding member. It charges that the United States is failing to live up to the group’s declaration on human rights, the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man."
This will go no where. The USA is not a ratified member of the OSA.
"The United States has not recognized the commission’s decisions as binding, but has sometimes responded to them in the diplomatic arena, lawyers at LatinoJustice say. In order for the petition to go forward, the commission must determine that the plaintiffs have exhausted all domestic legal remedies."
This is nothing more than a mere waste of time by the filers to try to gain notoriety. PRLDEF is trying to play in the big arena being nothing more than a mere civil servant. This diatribe is becoming ad-nauseum.
Hey. My name is Maria and I'm part of a group of student activists working towards the passage of the DREAM Act (www.dreamACTivist.org). I wanted to make you aware of an idea being discussed and voted on over at Change.org regarding this important issue. The link is http://www.change.org/ideas/view/pass_the_dream_act_now.
We currently have over 1300 votes and are one of the top 3 ideas on the whole website. However, the second round of voting begins in January 5th and the top 10 ideas will be presented to the Obama administration and will have a lot of publicity, something we desperately need. I urge you to register (it only takes a couple of minutes) and vote for this idea and put a widget of it on your blog to make others aware of this important cause. Also, please vote for the other immigration ideas on the top 3 list to make sure they make it to the second round.
Thank you so much for your help!
Anon,
My proposals are simple.
1. Those charged and found guilty be subject to penalties to the fullest extent of the law. This includes the murderers who murdered Mr. Lucero, Mr. Ramirez and Mr. Sucuzhañay.
2. An end to racial profiling and the 287(g) provisions of the Immigration Laws.
3. Communities, Schools put in place measures for safe neighborhoods and schools.
Maria,
Here is your link again
Pass the Dream Act
I agree. Education is important and the passage of the Dream Act will enable more students to complete their education.
Anon,
The Latino Groups including the Puerto Rican groups advocate the end to Latino Hate Crimes. That is what they are asking for!
Anonymous said...
So what does the rights of Puerto Rican CITIZENS have to do with illegal aliens?
Pass the Dream Act Now
That's the correct link that has over 1300 votes (under immigration). Sorry for the confusion! Yes, the DREAM Act is extremely important not only to these students but also to the future of this country.
Thanks again for your support!
Isn't bringing up the Dream Act, off topic in this thread? You know how we keep hearing about that in here. Lets enforce it uniformally, ok?
Dee,
I agree with 1 and 3 but 2 hasn't been proven to be happening. Why do you object to local law enforcement enforcing immigration law as long as they are trained in that area and it meets with the approval of the federal government?
As I said, how do you propose that we end ALL hate crimes in this country? Murders don't stop because we have capital punishment laws, do they?
Anon,
Here is where you are missing it. In order to resolve these issues, we should support Education, Acceptance and a Peaceful Environment in schools.
The Dream Act is very relevant since Education is instrumental in a successful future for our students. If CIR is passed, and the 12M obtain legal status, moving forward with Education measures are very important!
Anonymous said...
Isn't bringing up the Dream Act, off topic in this thread? You know how we keep hearing about that in here. Lets enforce it uniformally, ok?
Anon,
Again, you are missing it.
To date, a number of HATE crimes have gone unreported and unpunished. It is important that we bring these issues to light and ensure these crimes are punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Look at Patchogue. The police are telling us these crimes, Beaner Jumping, have been happening for months. Latinos in those communities are living in fear of these attacks. The perps were continuing them. The students said "they only happen once a week" as if these crimes were ok.
Now, that these crimes have drawn attention and the perpetrators are in jail, they are learning these crimes are not acceptable and those that perform them will be put in jail. Therefore this is a strong, strong deterrant!
Anonymous said...
As I said, how do you propose that we end ALL hate crimes in this country? Murders don't stop because we have capital punishment laws, do they?
The 287(g) policies have created an environment where racial profiling is prevalent. Look at Mariscopa county. Latinos are afraid to leave their houses in fear they will be tailgated by Arpaio. Parents are obtaining passports for their children and ensuring they dont walk around without their ss card, id and passport so their children are not thrown in the heinous detention centers.
Parents and children are living in a nightmare.
Arpaio and his tactics have created a media frenzy. Everything he does is in front of the cameras. Zealots are using him as their idol and in turn view Latinos, all Latinos as illegal immigrants from Mexico. Then crimes like the Beaner Jumpings occur! These HATE CRIMES HAVE TO STOP!!
Maria,
I will include your link in my blog favorites.
Dee
Still the Dream Act has nothing to do with this topic. Lets enforce staying on topic, uniformally shall we?
Thank you so much, Dee. I really enjoy reading your blog and appreciate you helping out this great cause.
Everyone knows that hate crimes are not acceptable. But there is no stopping them anymore than stopping murders, rapes, etc. Talking about it incessently won't change anything.
ALL crimes are prosecuted when proven and the criminals punished and that is all that can be done. You can't control people's minds and feelings because they are human beings with flaws and will always be among us.
Nothing that you state about 287g has been proven and in fact Sheriff Arapaio has been exhonerated of any so-called racial profiling charges. What is the difference if ICE enforces immigration law or those under 287g do? The feds can't be everywhere and it helps them out.
Hate crimes having nothing to do with enforcing our immigration laws. They are two different issues. At no time during enforcement of our immigration laws by law enforcement was a hate crime commited by law enforcement personnel. Why do you continue to link them together? With or without enforcement, the radicals are still out there. Start making some sense because you are the one "missing it".
Anon,
I disagree. I believe we need to bring these issues to the forefront. By doing so, I believe we will see a reduction. I also agree that they will probably not go to zero, but I do believe drawing attention to them and ensuring perpetrators are punished to the fullest extent of the law will help reduce them.
I have pledged to stay on top of these issues and continue to blog about them until the needed CHANGEs occur.
But you certainly are free to have your OPINION too.
Anonymous said...
Everyone knows that hate crimes are not acceptable. But there is no stopping them anymore than stopping murders, rapes, etc. Talking about it incessently won't change anything.
You ignore the two things that WILL reduce these hate crimes against Latinos though. 1. Deport the illegal ones. 2. Latino citizens should stop aiding and abetting them and stop demanding that we stop enforcing our immigration laws and calling other Americans, racists. I don't feel sorry for an ethnic group that refuses to take the necessary steps to fix the problem and yet complain about it.
Anon,
Aiding and Abetting? Your comments are just plain silly. Most Americans of Latino ethnicity live and work in America just like anyone else. They call for an end to Racial Profiling. That is NOT aiding and abetting. They oppose inhumane treatment of humans! They oppose inhumane conditions in Detention Centers! Many support CIR. None of this is "aiding and abetting."
These actions, Freedom of Speech, are fully supported by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Your saying otherwise is just plain silly and in fact, delusional.
The only citizens breaking the laws are the employers who recruit, hire them, provide them false papers and exploit them but you do not chastise them on this blog. The only people you jump down the throats of are Citizens utilizing their Right of Freedom of Speech!
Anonymous said...
2. Latino citizens should stop aiding and abetting them and stop demanding that we stop enforcing our immigration laws and calling other Americans, racists.
Liquid,
Visibility is very important.
They are making an excellent move to heighten the awareness of the rise in Hate Crimes against Latinos in America to the Global community.
My prediction is we will see an end to the 287(g) programs in 2009.
Arpaio will just have to go offshore to all those so called 3rd world countries he is contracting out to and enforce his pink underwear, vermin and disease infested prisons over there!
Liquid said...
This is nothing more than a mere waste of time by the filers to try to gain notoriety. PRLDEF is trying to play in the big arena being nothing more than a mere civil servant.
Ok, lets change it from aiding and abetting to fighting for illegal aliens then. Point number 1 and 2 of mine still stands then. I repeat, if we ALL support the deportation of illegal aliens as our laws demand and since most of them are Hispanics, the hate crimes against both the legal and the illegal ones will be greatly reduced. Unless Hispanics are willing to do that, then they aren't willing to take the necessary steps to fix the problem.
It will also eliminate the need for detention centers for the most part and end any so-called inhumane treatment of them. But again, you don't want the solution to the problem, you want your cake and eat it to.
Freedom of speech does not come without a price. I may be free to tell my neighbor that I would like to punch him in the face but there will be consquences for me saying that.
Anon,
I disagree with you OPINION.
Given the history of Immigration in our country, I support Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) which would not only provide a secure border and employer sanctions, but enable the 12M here to apply for legal status. They would no longer be in illegal status. CIR will fix the Immigration problems.
Beyond that, HATE CRIMES are NEVER ok. Those who commit them should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!
Anonymous said...
I repeat, if we ALL support the deportation of illegal aliens as our laws demand and since most of them are Hispanics, the hate crimes against both the legal and the illegal ones will be greatly reduced. Unless Hispanics are willing to do that, then they aren't willing to take the necessary steps to fix the problem.
The CIR that you are proposing will favor Latinos because they make up the majority of illegals. This it totally unfair and will just fuel the hate crimes against them. Americans will also look upon it as rewarding immigration law breakers.
And what if you never get your CIR? I gave you my advice about how to reduce hate crimes against Latinos but I guess you are willing to allow it to continue to happen rather than doing the right thing to prevent them.
By the way, I never said hate crimes were ok. So there is no need to lecture me about it. I am just telling you how many Americans feel and some of the nutcases will act on it.
Have you ever heard of a country being invaded by the millions from mostly one ethnic group that wouldn't fight back? Unfortunately some do resort to violence. You can prevent that and I told you how but you won't listen and instead blame the citizens of the country being invaded rather than the invaders. The ball is in you and your ethnic group's court.
Recent news of several recent murders by illegal aliens in Washington, D.C.
This is only one city. It happens all over the country. Do you think there might be some failure to protect American citizens going on in this country??
http://www.gazette.net/stories/12032008/montlet173246_32474.shtml
Anon,
Many of the unreported Hate Crimes of the past are coming to light after the crimes in Patchogue, Pottsville and the Bronx Hate Crime Murderers.
Anonymous said....
Hmmmm.....
That one just seems odd to me. Just exactly do you know that a number of these go unreported?
I believe you, but just curious how you know.
After all, if they we not reported, then how did you hear about them? Then, why didn't you report them, or the person you heard this from?
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