Breaking News: Governor Rendell Asks A.G. Eric Holder to File Civil Rights Charges Against Ramirez Murderers!

Breaking NEWS: The honorable Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has sent a letter to A.G. Eric Holder recommending the DOJ pursue civil rights charges against the murderers of Luis Ramirez. The honorable governor said the overwhelming evidence provided during the trial justfies charges against the murderers Piekarsky and Donchak.

PR Newswire reports:

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 29, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Governor Edward G. Rendell has recommended that the Department of Justice pursue civil rights charges against two Schuylkill County individuals involved in the beating of Mexican immigrant Luis Ramirez in Pottsville on July 12, 2008. Ramirez died two days later as a result of his injuries, which included two skull fractures.
The Governor said that the evidence and testimony presented during the trial justified charges against Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak for violating Ramirez's civil rights. Governor Rendell noted that one of the co-conspirators in the case, Colin Walsh, has already plead guilty to civil rights violations.

"The evidence suggests that Mr. Ramirez was targeted, beaten and killed because he was Mexican," wrote Governor Rendell in the letter. "This beating was so brutal and violent that Mr. Ramirez's skull was crushed in two different places. This senseless and cowardly attack appears to have been a hate crime as racial slurs were hurled against Mr. Ramirez throughout the fatal assault.
"Such lawlessness and violence hurts not only the direct victim of the attack but also our towns and communities that are torn apart by such bigotry and intolerance. That is why I am pleased that the Department of Justice is presently investigating whether to bring civil rights charges against Piekarsky and Donchak for their role in the fatal beating of Mr. Ramirez. I believe that justice and fairness mandate such a prosecution."
After the jury rendered its decision earlier this month, Governor Rendell wrote the county's district attorney, James Goodman, stating his belief that Piekarsky and Donchak deserved the maximum possible sentence for their roles in the savage assault and killing of Ramirez.
In that letter, the Governor said while he did not wish to second-guess the jury's decision, he felt imposing the maximum possible sentence would send a message that this kind of senseless criminal behavior and ethnic intimidation is not appropriate.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his newsletter, visit http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.

Bring it On Racist Tancredo! Silly Smear Machine Republicans Like You Who Live in Glass Houses Should NOT Call the Honorable Judge Sotomayor a Racist!

Racist Tom Tancredo, the guy who called Miami a 3rd world country, the racist who told people in El Paso concerned about a fence dividing up their land to move to Mexico and, to top it off, in March he admitted the Immigration issue IS about Race.
In March, Tancredo said, "Throughout history, people who are NOT white Anglo-Saxon have become American by adopting a white Anglo-Saxon culture." He insists all minority immigrants have to become white northern Europeans if they want to assimilate to become Americans. What a racist nutcase!

Now this evil nutcase has the absolute gall to call the honorable justice Sotomayor a racist. I say to the evil Tancredo, "Bring it on Racist!"

Why is this nutcase (and others like him, like Beck and Limpbaugh) saying this?

Apparently they got their chonies in a bunch because the honorable Judge Sotomayor said, "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experience would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."
Not that racists like Tancredo care, Sotomayor was specifically discussing the importance of judicial diversity in determining race and sex discrimination cases. As a former Bush Justice Department lawyer John Yoo similarly stressed, the Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas "is a black man with a much greater range of personal experience than most of the upper-class liberals who take potshots at him" and argued that Thomas' work on the court has been influenced by his understanding of the less fortunate acquired through personal experience. Additionally, Justice Sam Alito has talked about the importance of his proud Italian heritage when he has made his decisions.
Are racists like Tancredo, Beck and Limpbaugh in a time-warp? Do they not consider other Justices' comments when they make their blantant accusations? Do they not remember their own racist diatribes?

It is times like these that I appreciate the sanity of comments by Senators like John McCain in supporting a very qualified candidate like the Honorable Judge Sotomayor. Comments by the likes of Tancredo, Beck or Limpbaugh are not needed and instead, prove to divide vs rationalize. I almost feel sorry for these extreme Right Wing zealots. They do not have a clue. They only make the wedge between Latinos/Women VS Republicans even wider.

As long as the Republican party is controlled by these right wing extremists, we Latinos will NEVER, EVER Vote for your Candidates Again!!!

I guess that is what these extremist Republicans want!

Napolitano/Holder Keep to Promise! Feds partner with State/Local Authorities to Crack Down on Gangs vs Workers!

Janet Napolitano and Eric Holder, are keeping to their promise to focus on incarcerating Employers and Drug Cartels/Felonious Criminals versus workers. Last Thursday, Federal Authorities in partnership with Local/State authorities in cooperation with Hawaiian Garden's Mayor Michael Gomez, captured and arrested 147 gang members. The charges, part of a massive racketeering case dubbed Operation Knock Out, were outlined in several indictments charging the 147 members and associates of the Varrio Hawaiian Gardens gang with murder, attempted murder, drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, extortion, kidnapping and witness intimidation.

Sal Hernandez, the FBI's top agent in Los Angeles said, "The gang, also known as VHG, is so pervasive in Hawaiian Gardens that it is estimated one in 15 people living in the square-mile city just north of Long Beach has ties to it. With these arrests, the good people will be able to live in peace."

The probe into the gang initially began in 2005 after Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Jerry Ortiz was fatally shot by a Varrio Hawaiian Gardens gang member he was trying to arrest in connection with the shooting of an African American man. The shooter, a veteran gang member with devil's horns tattooed on his forehead, has been convicted of murder and sentenced to death. U.S. Atty. Thomas P. O'Brien, speaking at a news conference at the Lakewood sheriff's station, where the slain deputy had been assigned, touted the case as the "largest gang takedown in United States history. Today we honor Deputy Ortiz by coming together to crush the outlaw gang that took his life and make a positive difference for the law-abiding people who live in Hawaiian Gardens," said O'Brien, who stood in front of a memorial to Ortiz and other officers killed in the line of duty as he spoke.

The Federal/State/Local policies focusing on felonious criminals and drug cartels are the right path to follow vs the 287(g) Arpaio type policies and ICE Raids focusing on arresting migrant workers. Both PRO and ANTI agree that law enforcement at all levels should focus on capturing felonious criminals vs Racial Profiling of Latinos or targetting workers who have not committed any felonious crimes.

References:

Janet Napolitano Restructures ICE Policies to Focus on Employers, Drug Cartels/Felonious Criminals but Faces Fierce Opposition!

Dozens arrested in crackdown on Latino gang accused of targeting blacks

Latino 'hate gang' busted in L.A.

Breaking News: Obama Names First Latina U.S. Supreme Court Justice!

President Obama has named Federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor (54) to be his nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. If confirmed, Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic U.S. Supreme Court Justice in U.S. history.

Sotomayor is a brilliant and highly qualified nominee. She is a judge on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. She is considered a political centrist by the American Bar Association Journal and others. Sotomayor was nominated on November 27, 1991, by President George H. W. Bush to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. On June 25, 1997, she was nominated by former President Bill Clinton to the seat she now holds.

Sotomayor was born in The Bronx, New York, to Puerto Rican parents. She grew up in a housing project in the South Bronx, a short walk from Yankee Stadium. She was diagnosed with diabetes at age 8. Her father, a tool-and-die worker with a third-grade education, died the following year. Her mother, a nurse, raised Sotomayor and her younger brother, who is now a doctor.

Sotomayor graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx. She earned her A.B. from Princeton University, summa cum laude, in 1976, where she won the Pyne Prize, the highest general award given to Princeton undergraduates. Sotomayor obtained her J.D. from Yale Law School in 1979, where she was an editor of the Yale Law Journal. Sotomayor then served as an Assistant District Attorney under prominent New York County District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, prosecuting robberies, assaults, murders, police brutality, and child pornography cases. In 1984, she entered private practice, making partner at the commercial litigation firm of Pavia & Harcourt, where she specialized in intellectual property litigation. Robyn Kar, who clerked for Sotomayor from 1998 to 1999, described her as a "warm, extraordinarily kind and caring person."
In 1998, for her current seat, the New York judge won the support of 25 Republicans, including eight senators who still serve. If Sotomayor is able to maintain the support of just a few of those GOP senators this year, Senate Republicans would face an almost impossible task in defeating her nomination, even by filibuster, which requires 40 votes. Currently, Republicans hold 39 senate seats. The president has said he hopes hearings will be held in July, with the confirmation completed before Congress leaves for the summer.

In the meantime, right wing extremist pundits have already started their attack against this brilliant, summa cum laude, highly qualified judge. Both Jeffrey Rosen and Mark Krikorian have called her dumb and obnoxious, admittedly without studying any of her rulings and instead relying on their own biased opinions and so-called anonymous sources. They both racistly added that the ONLY reason she is being named is because she is a Hispanic Woman. Their remarks are so typical of good ole boys. They find it hard to believe that any woman or any minority can be brilliant and qualified and should be candidates for high nominations. Rosen and Krikorian prove what racist cavemen they truly are!

Happy Memorial Day: Latinos Proudly Contribute to Principles of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!

American Hispanics have a proud history of serving in the US Military. Over 500,000 Hispanic soldiers served in World War II, and nearly 50 Latinos have won our nation’s highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor. More than 60,000 Hispanics were on active duty in 2003 and another two million are veterans of the U.S. military. Many have also been honored with American citizenship as a result of their military service; more than 30,000 immigrants who have served in the military have become U.S. citizens through a special wartime military naturalization statute.
In Iraq, Hispanics have a death risk about 20 percent higher than non-Hispanics.
Latinos make up 10 percent of the actively enlisted military forces. They are over-represented in the categories that get the most dangerous assignments -- infantry, gun crews and seamanship -- and make up over 20 percent of the front lines.
Millions of Hispanics have a Proud Tradition of Service in the U.S. Military, and thousands today are fighting on behalf of this nation, regardless of their citizenship status. Their bravery and sacrifice, along with that of their fellow soldiers, should be recognized and honored.

West Point Class of 2009 - An Impressive Picture of Diversity

The West Point Class of 2009 is an Impressive Picture of Diversity. ALL Americans, particularly the ANTIs, should understand that our country is no longer a country of Northern European Immigrants controlled and ruled by White Males. We are evolving into a beautiful, multi cultural, multi-racial, multi-ethnic, male/female, equal Society! Once the ANTIs understand this, perhaps at that time, they will finally embrace Comprehensive Immigration reform.

God Bless America!

Reference:
West Point Class of 2009 a Diverse, Impressive Group

President Obama to Meet with Congressional Leaders About Immigration

Our President will meet with Congressional leaders in two weeks, on June 8, 2009 to finally begin Immigration discussions. The ANTIs are already up in arms and preparing to attack Congress via emails, phones and fax machines. Get Ready to Call your Senators/Congressman to support our President.

The Wall St. Journal reports:

President Barack Obama will gather congressional leaders at the White House next month to launch a policy discussion on immigration, according to an administration official, but legislative action isn't likely until next year at the earliest. The June 8 meeting is meant to show the White House is moving on the issue -- which is key for Hispanic advocacy groups that helped Mr. Obama get elected in November. The issue remains politically fraught among Americans frustrated by illegal immigration, particularly as the U.S. unemployment rate nears 10%. Unlike some other White House sessions on key issues, this one will be behind closed doors.
White House officials have made clear they don't expect action on immigration this year. The administration official who discussed the meeting said it was aimed at having "an honest discussion," and meant to identify points of agreement and "areas where we still have work to do." Mr. Obama has embraced the general concept of creating a program to provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the U.S., while continuing to tighten the border with Mexico. The administration official said the White House intended to invite a small bipartisan group of lawmakers from the House and Senate, including party leaders and people who have worked on immigration issues.
"Earlier this year, the president asked Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to develop principles to help guide congressional action on immigration, one White House official said. But another added that there were no plans to distribute a set of principles at this meeting. At a briefing with reporters Tuesday, Ms. Napolitano gave few hints about the administration's tenets for an immigration initiative. But she did say strong enforcement needs to continue, arguing that the government can't afford to lose "operational control" of its border with Mexico as it did in the 1990s.
Federal data released Wednesday suggest illegal immigration into the U.S. is approaching a low for modern times, a decline analysts have pegged to the recession. Apprehensions along the border with Mexico are down 27% during the current fiscal year compared with the same period a year ago, even as enforcement efforts have been increased. If the trend continues, this year's decline would be steeper than the 24.5% drop in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Hate Groups to Rally in Shenandoah! More Insults to Luis Ramirez' Memory!

UPDATE: THE RALLY IS OFF!! Rally Organizer Joe Miller said he didn't realize some of the speakers he invited were actually white supremists. The Republican Herald reported one speaker, John DeNugent, was a racist White Supremist. As I previously reported, the previous rallies included members from the Skinheads and KKK. One commenter on this article said DeNugent had affiliations with the Nazis and the KKK. Most commenters want an end to these type of rallies!
The ANTIs are at it again. Their Hate and their Gall hold no bounds especially when it comes to disrespecting the memory of Luis Ramirez.
Nine speakers are confirmed to shout out their grievances at a Protest Rally being held in Bicentennial Park in Shenandoah on May 30 at 5pm. Speakers include Dan Amato from the ANTI website Diggers Realm, Jeff McGeary from ANTI group UPAP for Immigration Control and Tom Lingenfelter from the PA Minutemen.
Additionally, they have two members of the ANTI group "You Don't Speak for Me." For those of you not familiar with this group, they are a particularly despicable group. Supposedly, their group is meant to represent Americans of Hispanic descent who do not support illegal immigration. They pretend their group was formed by Hispanics when in reality the group was formed by the Hate Group F.A.I.R.
If you go onto the You Dont Speak for Me website today, Ira Mehlman is their Media Director. He is also the media director for F.A.I.R. The Anti Defamation League and the SPLC have labeled F.A.I.R. an Immigration HATE Group. F.A.I.R. not only opposes illegal immigration, they also advocate limiting legal Immigration, particularly from Latin Countries.

This month's rally in Shenandoah is a reprieve of two other protest rallies held in 2008 by most of these same outside ANTI groups. During previous rallies members of the Skinheads and the KKK were in attendance holding deplorable signs.

The rally organizer is Joe Miller. He is the President and Founder of a new ANTI group he recently formed and he named "Pennsylvania Americans for Legal Immigration." Miller said he hopes the inclusion of You Don’t Speak For Me will draw a larger part of the area’s Mexican community to the rally. Miller said, “My main concern is getting these illegals off the streets, out of this town, and bringing forth the legal Mexican-American community. That population, have them step forward and say ‘you’re screwing us up, you know." Miller also told reporters he is the author of a petition against MALDEF (petition author is titled Anonymous on the form). The petition alleges MALDEF “maliciously vilified, slandered and attacked” Shenandoah and Schuylkill County with comments in the wake of the death of illegal Mexican immigrant Luis Eduardo Ramirez Zavala.

This Protest Rally being held in Shenandoah, so close to the unjust Jury verdict towards the murderers of Luis Ramirez, is appalling. What gall. What contempt do these radicals have towards the victim's children, family and towards ALL the Latino and Humanitarian members of the Shenandoah community. This is a shameful, shameful event.

I am curious whether the local police, particularly Officers Hayes and Meyers will be attending this hate-filled rally. Will they be monitoring for violence or will they be carrying the hate filled signs of the ralliers? We will see.

Reference:
Hispanic-Americans set to speak at anti-illegal immigration rally

Ramirez Murder Instigator Gets Hand-Slap - Charged as a Juvenile

Brian Scully admitted his guilt in the Luis Ramirez murder. He said in court, “If I could take it back, I would. I admit to what I did ... to get this off my chest.” However, the accomodating prosecutors in Schuylkill County only charged him as a juvenile instead of as an adult. The good ole boy judge Baldwin found the teen Delinquent instead of guilty. The most serious penalty he could impose, IF he imposes it, will be confinement to a juvenile detention center and any penalty he imposes will not last beyond Scully’s 21st birthday, when the jurisdiction of juvenile court will end under state law.

Luis Ramirez will NOT receive justice. In fact, as if to add insult to injury, Baldwin ruled Scully’s actions, would have constituted aggravated assault, ethnic intimidation, hindering apprehension, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and underage drinking IF the D.A. had properly tried Scully (who is older than Piekarsky) as an adult (not that a Schuylkill County jury would have convicted him). For these heinous crimes, Scully will only receive 90 days evaluation, a mere handslap.

The response from the accomodating Schuylkill district attorney was so typical of his previous response to this murder. He expressed "satisfaction" with the result of Monday’s hearing. “(my boy) Brian took responsibility for his actions. He admitted to the charges,” Goodman said. “I believe it’s an appropriate resolution.”

Scully was taken away immediately after the hearing. Then adding more insult to injury, Baldwin said Scully would be allowed to return to the county for his June 1 graduation at Shenandoah Valley High School.

What a travesty of Justice!

References:

RAMIREZ BEATING CASE Teenager faces evaluation Judge calls Brian Scully an ‘instigator’ in episode

Death, Life and Heaven

My brother died late last week. He was only 62 years old. I loved my brother, but I know he had a very rough life. His life didn’t start out that way though. He was born the fourth son and the sixth child in our 10 children family home. We all started out the same. We were hard working migrant laborers. We had a father and mother that loved us. They focused on building within each of us a work ethic that would help us become successful in America. Every summer we worked in the fruit/vegetable fields harvesting crops. Every Fall through Spring we attended school to complete our education so we could achieve the American Dream.

We all faced challenges. We were minorities in a majority white Michigan. From the beginning, we were the one “Mexican” family on the block. Teasing, chasing, bullying were the norm vs the anomaly. My brother faced it worse than most. He had an added factor. He was also overweight. This brought additional teasing.

Nevertheless, he was a very smart person and always did his best. I think he had his heart broken a few times, though he never dwelt on any negative experiences.

After he graduated from school and found his first job, he met a girl and married her. They had a beautiful daughter. The marriage only lasted only a few years. They mutually decided to divorce.

He came into his own after his divorce. He started advancing at his job and he lost weight. He became very handsome and dapper. Everyone said he looked like Freddie Prinze. It was the late seventies. Chico and the Man was a popular TV show and my brother was getting a lot of attention. Being the seventies, he started to dabble in pot and other miscellaneous feel good drugs. I knew a few people who did the same, but my boyfriend (now husband) and I were not into that kind of stuff so we drifted away from my brother and his crowd. By that time, my husband and I were married and I started advancing in my own career. We moved away from our hometown. After that, I only saw my brother once in a while when we came home for visits.

My brother married again and had two more children, a boy and a girl. After a few years, his partying went a little out of control. His marriage broke up. His new ex-wife moved to another state. He paid child support but rarely saw his kids. A few years later he lost his job. He didn’t give up his partying. Soon, he was drifting from job to job, usually in construction or as a handyman. He lost his house and later moved in with my parents.

None of my brothers and sisters were happy about this at first. However as my parents grew older, it was helpful to have him there. He became a very good caretaker of our parents. After our Dad died in 93, he became our mother’s sole caretaker and companion. In the last few years of her life, we were grateful to him especially the last six months when she was totally disabled and suffered from dementia.

Our mother died in January 2008. He became very depressed. I think he felt lost without mom. He had previously stopped his partying ways and now with mom gone, he just stayed home and seemed to give up. His health started to falter. He had diabetes and always seemed tired. He was only 62 when he died last Friday of natural causes. I suspect the actual cause was a broken heart. His two youngest children came to the funeral. They had been estranged from their dad for years, but they were so heartbroken by his death. It was just gut wrenching to see their tears.

My oldest brother (69) is in very poor health. He has ALS and is losing most of his muscle control. He doesn’t have much longer to live. He is in Michigan and was not able to travel due to his health so he did not attend the funeral.

The rosary/wake and the funeral Mass were all emotions. Afterwards, the immediate family gathered together just to talk. Then everyone began going home. My sister and I drove our oldest sister (68) to the airport. In years past, we would just drop her at the terminal entrance, but this time, we parked. I carried her luggage and guided her to the counter then to airport security.

My sister fell last year and this impacted her ability to walk on her own. She now walks with a cane. She moves so slowly. I remembered when we were young and we would run and laugh together. Now, she was not only fragile, she was elderly. I wondered how much longer we would have her with us.

I think I needed the five hour drive back home just so I could think about what happened over the previous few days. I didn’t cry much. I’m afraid to cry for fear I will break down. The few times I almost cried was during the wake and when his children cried.

I thought about my brother and his short life. My parents and another brother were dead too. My oldest brother and sister may soon follow. I remember putting together easel boards with so many pictures of my brother with our family. I know my brother did not achieve his dreams.

When I came home, I hugged my youngest son. I held my husband’s hand for a long, time. It felt good to just hang on to them for a little while. I love my husband and children so much. My husband and I talked for a little while about the week but I didn’t go into too much detail, just that it was sad and I was worried about my oldest sister.

My husband is bowling tonight and I started to look at my email and my blog. I decided to let my blog wait one more day before I jump back into it. Instead, I decided to put my thoughts and feelings down on paper. Life is just so damn short. It isn’t fair. What happened to hopes and dreams and plans for the future? Death is always there. That is a guarantee. If not death, then there is always debilitating disease, especially when you get older. How unfair.

I am a little mad at myself. Maybe I could have been a better sister. Maybe I could have been a little more understanding. Maybe I could have visited more. It is too late for that now.
Then I think he lived his own life the way he wanted to live it. Maybe he is happier now. Maybe he did get what he wanted. He did believe in Heaven.

Luis Ramirez Murder: Looking Back at Early Witness Videos Confirms Murder As Racial Hate Crime!

The early testimony of witnesses is always important to remember.
Here is a video of Arielle Garcia's eye witness testimony. She spoke to CNN in July, 2008, just days after the murder. Arielle Garcia talks about the crime. From the video you can see how close Eileen Burke's front porch was from where the crime occurred.

Arielle said Ramirez was walking away. The jocks were still screaming racial slurs. Luis gets into a fight with one. Then the others jump in and the fight moves into the street. He is sucker punched and is laying unconscious on the ground when he is murdered with the final kick to the head.
The same video continues. Immediately following Arielle's video is an interview with Walsh's Father talking about the crime. He said it is a bad nightmare for all the families. He just didn't expect this from his son or the other jocks.

Then Crystal Dillman, Luis' fiancee talks. She accurately predicted Shenandoah would try to justify the murder. She accurately predicted the town would demonize Luis. She clearly understands the town and predicted well. She said the town wants these jocks to look perfect. However, Luis Ramirez was a good man. Luis won't receive justice. They will make the kids look like Angels and make Luis look like a demon. No justice for Luis.

The next video shows a CNN reporter saying it took 2 weeks for the perpetrators to be charged. Mistreatment by police. Lack of sympathy for Luis Ramirez on behalf of the community.

From the CNN article dated 7/31/08:

SHENANDOAH, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- By the time help arrived, Luis Ramirez lay convulsing in the middle of the street, foam running from his mouth. Crystal Dillman displays the religious medal worn by her fiance, Luis Ramirez, who died from a beating. Blows had struck the 25-year-old illegal Mexican immigrant with such force that they left a clotted, bruised impression of Jesus Christ on the skin of his chest from the religious medal he wore. His attackers were white teenagers, including star students and football players, witnesses told police.
After a night of drinking, the teens taunted the undocumented worker with racial epithets, pummeled him to the ground and then kicked him in the head...

By this time, Eileen Burke, a retired Philadelphia police officer, had stepped out of her home after hearing Arielle Garcia's pleas to stop the beating. Burke recalled hearing one final, ominous threat as the teens ran. "They (Piekarsky & Donchak) yelled, 'You effin bitch, tell your effin Mexican friends to get the eff out of Shenandoah or you're gonna be laying effin next to him,' " she said.

Even in July, 2008, the Lawyers planned their defense - the demonization of Luis Ramirez:

Fanelli said he plans to investigate whether Ramirez has a criminal background. He also questions why the engaged father of three was walking on the street with the girl, and the nature of their relationship. Ramirez's fiancee says he was walking her younger sister home.
A lawyer for Walsh said he is equally skeptical about the ethnic intimidation charge. "They called each other names. The victim was calling them obscenities, vulgar names, and they said things back to him that would hurt him," Roger Laguna said. "It just means it was a foul-mouthed argument, not ethnic intimidation."

Media Advisory: CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS DEMAND JUSTICE FOR LUIS RAMIREZ AND CALL FOR ACTION ON INCREASE OF HATE CRIMES

MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
CONTACT: Estuardo Rodriguez: 202-631-2892, Laura Rodriguez: 310-956-2425
CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS DEMAND JUSTICE FOR LUIS RAMIREZ AND CALL FOR ACTION ON INCREASE OF HATE CRIMES
Civil rights community stunned by defendants’ acquittal despite swell of evidence and testimony to the contrary; calls for swift passage of Hate Crimes bill in Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, May 13, 2009, a broad coalition of civil rights leaders and elected officials will host a news conference in Russell Park in front of the Russell Senate Office Building at 10:00 a.m. EST to discuss the severe injustice suffered by a hate crime victim who was murdered in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. The coalition will call on the United States Department of Justice to pursue a broad and comprehensive investigation of the beating and brutal murder of 25 year old, father of two, Luis Ramirez. The Department of Justice should consider bringing federal hate crimes charges against those responsible for Ramirez’s death. Ramirez lost his life in July 2008, after he was knocked unconscious and kicked in the head by a group of Shenandoah teenagers who yelled racial epithets before and during the brutal beating. A Schuylkill County Court jury acquitted Brandon Piekarsky, 17, of third-degree murder and ethnic intimidation and Derrick Donchak, 19, of aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation a few weeks ago. Both were convicted of simple assault.
The coalition will also urge the Senate for swift passage of the “Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009,” following a successful vote by the U.S. House of Representatives recently. The bill strengthens existing federal hate crime laws by authorizing the Department of Justice to assist local authorities in investigating and prosecuting certain bias-motivated crimes. The bill would also provide authority for the federal government to prosecute some violent bias-motivated crimes directed against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.

WHAT: News Conference on Hate Crimes

WHO: John Amaya, Legislative Staff Attorney, MALDEF
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Hilary O. Shelton, Vice President for Advocacy/Director of Washington
Bureau, NAACP
Michael Lieberman, Washington Counsel, Anti-Defamation League
Janet Murguía, President & CEO, NCLR
Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA)

WHEN: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. EST

WHERE: Russell Park, in front of the Russell Senate Office Building, on the corner
of Constitution Ave. & Delaware Ave. NE in Washington, D.C.

To All My Viewers: Invitation to the Prayer Vigil for Unity in Shenandoah

To All of My Viewers:
I have received the following invitation from Dr. Agapito Lopez for the Unity Prayer Vigil for Unity in Shenandoah.

INTEGRATION TOWARDS UNITY
INTEGRACIÓN HACIA LA UNIDAD

A PRAYER VIGIL OF ALL CHURCHES IN THE SHENANDOAH, PA AREA FOR INTEGRATION OF THE COMMUNITY AFTER THE LUIS RAMIREZ CASE VERDICT.

UNA VIGILIA DE ORACIÓN DE TODAS LAS IGLESIAS EN EL ÁREA DE SHENANDOAH, PA, PARA INTEGRACIÓN DE LA COMUNIDAD DESPUÉS DEL VEREDICTO EN EL CASO DE LUIS RAMÍREZ.

DATE (FECHA): SATURDAY MAY 16, 2009
SÁBADO, 16 DE MAYO DEL 2009
TIME (HORA): 3:00 P.M.

PLACE (SITIO): KEHILLAT ISRAEL NON-
DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH
IGLESIA NO-DENOMINACIONAL
KEHILLAT ISRAEL

ADDRESS (DIRECCIÓN): 213 WEST OAK STREET
SHENANDOAH , PA 17976

SPEAKERS (ORADORES):
REV. PASTOR MARÍA LOURDES VÉLEZ NAVARRO,
REV. MIGUEL RIVERA, CONLAMIC , WASHINGTON , D.C.,
FÉLIX MOLINA, PENNSYLVANIA STATEWIDE LATINO COALITION, AND OTHERS

SHOCKING NEWS: Watch Former Police Officer Eileen Burke Provide the Details to the Ramirez Murder and the CoverUp By Officers Hayes and Moyer!

Eyewitness account

This is an amazing video of former police officer Eileen Burke providing details of the night Luis Ramirez was murdered by Piekarsky, Donchak and the other jocks. Then listen as she explains how Piekarsky's mom's boyfriend, officer Hayes, met with the jocks at Donchak's house. Then listen to how the D.A. did not call her. The D.A., the Sheno Police and the Defense all COLLUDED to cover-up and minimize the charges so the murderous jocks would not be charged for the serious crimes they committed. This is an eye-opening tape! Amazing!! UPDATE 2: See Eileen Burke's Video HERE!! (Thank you Anonymous!) UPDATE: The video that was deleted was an in-depth 28 minute interview with Eileen Burke, the former police officer that was a witness to the events the evening Ramirez was murdered. Here is a summary of what she said: 1. She lives across the street from the park where Ramirez was murdered. 2. She heard the racial epiteths hurled at Ramirez as he and his friend were walking through the park. She repeats them. "Go back to Mexico." Names/etc. 3. She called 911 to report the crime. They were slow in responding. 4. She became frustrated and went out on her porch. She saw the jocks. She heard the fatal kick to the head. She saw Arielle arrive. 5. Piekarsky and Donchak confronted her in her front yard. Piekarsky pushed out his chest and tried to intimidate her. He told her to keep quiet or she would wind up like her Mexican friend on the ground. Burke had never met Ramirez before that evening. 6. She saw Piekarsky and Donchak run off together with the other jocks, hiding in the other side of the park. 7. She went to Ramirez and Arielle who was hysterical standing next to Luis who was foaming at the mouth. Burke describes the foaming and dent in his head, the swelling, yet no blood. She described the indentation on Luis' chest. 8. When she talked to Arielle, Arielle said she knew Scully and Walsh from school, she did not know the others. Burke said she knew Piekarsky and Donchak from the neighborhood. 9. The police who initially arrived were from different cities and one sheriff. The Shenandoah police, Moyer, arrived later. He was rude and abrasive to both of them. He asked them both if Luis was drunk. When the ambulance finally arrived, he suggested Luis was faking it. He attempted to kick Luis but Eileen stopped him. 10. Eileen told Moyer and Hayes his partner who arrived later that she saw Piekarsky and Donchak and Arielle told them she knew Scully and Walsh from school and they were the perpetrators. Moyer and Hayes would not take their report. 11. Instead, about 30 minutes later, Moyer and Hayes pick up some stranger in town who had a bat in his had and took him to Arielle and asked her if he was the attacker. She said no. Burke said she told them who the perpetrators were. 12. Eileen said the cook from RJs bar came to the scene. The cook came to see what was going on. The cook said officer Jay Hayes had called Tammy Piekarsky who worked at the bar and said she better leave work and get a hold of Brandon because he could be in a lot of trouble. The reason Hayes was delayed in getting to the scene was because he was busy contacting Brandon's mother and developing the cover story for the perpetrators. They all met at Donchak's house to get the story straight. 13. Burke said it took 9 - 10 days before the perpetrators were even charged for the crime because of the cover up. 14. The prosecution initially said she would be called as a witness, but a week before the trial said she would only be called if needed. She describes how the lead prosecutor never interviewed her and had no intention of calling her to the stand and how a backup ADA strung her along. There never was serious consideration to strongly prosecuting the case.Her testimony would have broken this case wide open with the TRUTH!!! AND the Cover up!!

Latina Mother's Day: Consider the Blessed Children! They are the Lilies of the Field!

As children, we attended Catholic School. Our Dad wanted us to receive a good education. He worked for the church as a painter-handyman after his factory job in order to help pay tuition. Our church was a beautiful Cathedral. Every day we attended Mass in the morning before starting school.

When I was in 2nd grade, our class made our 1st Communion. It was a special time for all of us. During the month of May, our class was honored by allowing each of us children who were receiving our First Communion to crown the statue of the Blessed Virgin which graced a beautiful altar at the front of the church. Each of us was designated a special day to crown her. My day was Monday, May 20th.

All of us children were nervous in anticipation of our special day. We knew what an honor it would be to walk up the special steps, lined in linens and silks, to crown the Virgin. Each day, as classmates and family members looked on watching their son or daughter climb the steps, I saw how more beautiful, ornate and expensive the crowns were becoming. Being so very poor and the only Latino child in class, I started to become nervous. Each day I ran home to my mother.

“Oh, momma, momma. The crowns. They are so beautiful. They are made of flowers and gold and silver. Oh so beautiful! Momma. What should we do? How can we make such a beautiful crown to honor her?”

Momma always responded, “Don´t worry. The crown we make for your day will be very beautiful. God will help us. It will be fine.” Mom often quoted bible verse. One of her favorites was, “why are you anxious about what to wear? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say to you, that even Solomon in all his glory is not arrayed like one of these.”

My mother loved to make crafts and sew. We searched and searched her sewing basket but we just couldn´t decide upon the right materials. About a week before my day, she took me to the local dime store. I knew we didn´t have much money, but she had scraped together her change and we went to the store. We searched up and down the aisles. Finally, in the back of the silk flowers she leaned over and found one single thread of Lilies of the Valley.

“Look Mija, it is a sign.” She picked up the flowers and a string of Baby´s Breaths, all within our meager budget, and we headed home. Momma and I carefully weaved the flowers together into a crown. When we finished we both knew it was nice. It looked so delicate and sweet. Just beautiful. Mom hugged me and said, “Consider the lilies of the field, and even Solomon in all of his glory is not arrayed like one of these.”

On my day, I woke up early. Mom had wrapped up the crown in special tissue for me. She came with me to church that day. When we arrived, my nun schoolteacher brought me next to her so she could put me in the procession. I don´t know if she was worried for me, but she looked almost sorry for me when I handed her my tissue covered crown. As she peeled back the tissue, her eyes blinked back her shock. “Oh, Dee! This is a beautiful crown! Perhaps the most beautiful I have ever seen.”

I beamed with happiness and said, “My mother helped me… she said “The Lilies of the Field….”

The sister nodded immediately, smiled and hugged me, and guided me to my place in the procession.

As I leaned up and placed the crown on the Virgin´s head, it slid on very snugly, a perfect fit.

As I climbed down to the bottom step, I looked into my mother´s eyes. She was so proud. My teacher and the kids, they smiled too. I genuflected in front of the Virgin and looked into her eyes. I could tell she was pleased. She looked so happy with her beautiful crown.

Peaceful Prayer Vigil Scheduled to Pray for Unity in Shenandoah

The Pennsylvania Latino community is planning a Peaceful Prayer Vigil to Pray for Unity in Shenandoah. In a recent interview, Dr. Agapito Lopez, a member of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Latino Affairs and vice president of the Hazleton Latino Association said, "Everyone is concerned about this decision. Not only in the community here, but the whole Hispanic community in the United States.”

On May 16, a vigil is planned to "Pray for Unity in Shenandoah." Dr. Arroyo said, "This will be a very Peaceful Prayer Vigil."

The Rev. Miguel Rivera, head of a national Latino-Christian clergy group, will attend as well as local advocates including Amilcar Arroyo. "We will pray together because in our community we ALL need to work together," Arroyo said. "We are exactly the same. We are human beings. We have families. We have goals in our lives. The Latino community does not want a confrontation, but we do want justice. It’s time to sit and talk together and see how we can work together for the future."

The details of the Prayer Vigil are as follows:

What: Prayer Vigil for Unity in Shenandoah

When: May 16, 2009 6:30 pm

Where: Kahillat Isreal Non-Denominational Christian Church, 213 W. Oak St., Shenandoah, PA 17976

DOJ to Pursue Federal Charges, Local Cops Under Investigation, Jury Foreman says Most Jurors Racists, Demonstrations Planned in Shenandoah, !

DOJ to Pursue Federal Charges:

Federal officials are investigating whether to prosecute two teenagers convicted of simple assault in connection with the fatal beating of Luis Ramirez in July in Shenandoah, a U.S. Department of Justice spokesman said Monday.“There is an investigation ongoing” into the case of Brandon J. Piekarsky and Derrick M. Donchak, Alejandro Miyan said. “The Civil Rights Division is examining the evidence and will determine if there is a prosecutable violation of federal civil rights statutes.” The Mexican American Legal Defense Fund has started a petition that all supporters of Justice for Luis Ramirez can send to the DOJ. For all interested in signing and sending the petition, please log in here to forward your letter to the DOJ. Please forward this letter to all of your friends and relatives so they can also submit their support for this noble cause for Justice for Luis Ramirez.

Local Cops Under Investigation:

As I have frequently reported, the local police in Shenandoah are seemingly corrupt and racist. The testimony in the murder case indicated at least one officer, Hayes, assisted the accused Piekarsky, in creating a false alibi and coercing the fellow accused to LIE to the courts. Walsh, Scully and others testified to this in the court case. Now, the FBI is conducting an investigation into the Shenandoah Police Department. The investigation is ongoing and state police at Frackville have been told to have troopers ready to patrol the borough if necessary, according to several sources who asked not to be identified.

Jury Foreman says Most Jurors Racist:

Jury foreman, Eric Macklin, blasted some of his fellow jurors. "I believe strongly that some of the people on the jury were racist. I believe some of the people on the jury had their minds made up before the first day of the trial," Macklin said Saturday. A majority of the jury was ready to throw out the most serious charges against the teens in the first hour but jury foreman Macklin continued the deliberations pushing for a conviction on all the charges. One of the jurors, Josh Silfies, who Macklin accused of being racist, attacked Macklin saying, "Pardon my language, 'Where the "f" where you all week! Weren't you out there?' Macklin said yes. The accused racist Silfies said 'Well you must have been asleep.'"

Demonstrations Planned in Shenandoah:

People from all around the country could soon converge on the tiny borough of Shenandoah in Schuylkill County. Two men, from Florida and New York City, are teaming up to organize a peaceful protest in response to the verdict in the beating death of illegal immigrant Luis Ramirez. The organizers of the protest say they also want to meet with the U.S. Attorney's office to talk about the possibility of filing federal charges. I will be publishing the dates/times of the Peaceful Protest in Shenandoah as soon as they become available.

References:

MALDEF Petitition for Justice for Luis Ramirez

FBI probes Shenandoah cops; state police on standby to patrol if necessary

Jurors Argue Over Beating Death Deliberations

Protest Planned In Shenandoah

Piekarsky = 1 vs American Public = 100, America Supports Justice for Ramirez!

I have been researching blogs and discussion forums all day. The consensus is 100 to 1 in favor of Justice for Ramirez. The vast majority believe the murderers should be held accountable for the death of Luis Ramirez. I have studied blogs, newsgroups, discussion forums and it is all the same. The vast majority believe the all-white biased jury was WRONG in their decision to dismiss charges against the murderous Piekarsky and Donchak.

The vast majority of Americans support:

1. the DOJ filing Hate Crime charges against Piekarsky and Donchak

2. the Ramirez family filing a civil lawsuit against them

It is heartening to know the vast majority of Americans, over 90%, believe Justice was denied in the Ramirez murder case and advocate the DOJ seeks Federal charges and the family files a civil lawsuit against Piekarsky and Donchak. Sites from CNN, MSNBC, ABC comment sections, Huffington Post, DailyKos, to numerous independent blogs to numerous forums and newsgroups to many Facebook/Myspace blogs/tweets, ALL ADVOCATE for JUSTICE for Luis Ramirez!!

Here is just a small sampling:

. Such a sad day for America.My condolences to the victims family.

. Don't hate crimes fall under Federal jurisdiction & not state? Perhaps for this very reason?

. these teenagers were drunk and under the legal drinking age. I guess it's fine for them to act "mature" and drink irresponsibly, even if they kill someone while under the influence?

. I guess Mexicans/Immigrants are the new "Black". I wish I was surprised but not after reading what state/city it happened in. Stay classy Shenandoah, PA.

. Somewhere in this process the prosecutor and more likely the judge did not properly instruct the jury of what their responsibilities were relative to how they were to apply the facts to their process of decision making.I hope that the jury and the community eventually realize what harm they have done to the justice system of their town and to the nation.

. Now, the reason I consider your comments racist, full of bigotry and completely insensitive to the case at hand, is you've done nothing but make assumptions and heap all blame possible upon the Mexican victim.

. It's pretty clear that they've goaded him, he's tried to call for help. 6 drunken football players.

. Justice has been far from served.

This is just a small number of examples. However, it is very heartening to know the vast majority of True Americans believe Justice was NOT served, the jury was biased and the young murderers did, in fact, get away with murder. They also believe the DOJ should now step in and charge them for a Federal Crime! They are NOT like the Hate sites or like the local Shenandoah comment sections at all!!

Just reading their heartfelt concerns reminds me that America, overall, by vast majority, is, in fact, a Land of Welcoming Immigrants! Land of the Free! And the Home of the Brave!

God Bless America!

FIRE NAZI Shock Jock Jay Severin!

BREAKING NEWS: Severin to Stay Suspended!! (see update in Red below)
Jay Severin, a right wing shock jock desperate for ratings, has been suspended by WTKK-FM in Boston. Severin, in attempting to pander to racist/extremist members of his audience, utilized the most derogatory remarks to describe Mexicans/Latinos.

In describing Mexicans, he used the words: “lowest of primitives,” “leeches,” and “criminaliens” while talking about the swine flu. Severin called one of Mexico’s leading exports “women with mustaches and VD,” said Mexicans have poor hygiene, do not vaccinate their kids, don’t speak English and “retard” U.S. schools. (see video)

Severin utilized the same hatefilled tactics against Mexicans as propogandists in Nazi Germany used against the Jews: dehumanization of the enemy.

Sources within Greater Media, which owns the station Severin works for, has said their management has been dissatisfied with the “hateful” tone his show has taken. One source said Severin had been warned in the past.

If he doesn't get fired for this, what do you get fired for?

LATE BREAKING NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: Monday, 5/4/09

"WTKK and Greater Media value an open and vigorous dialogue, but we also strongly adhere to basic principles of civility, common decency and respect for all cultures. We believe Jay's suspension is the best way to uphold both of these corporate policies. WTKK Management met with Jay Severin and his agent today. He will continue to remain on suspension until further notice."

References:

Jay Severin, agent to discuss future with WTKK

Radio big-mouth’s bigotry shows Archie Bunker mentality

Shenandoah, PA under Gestapo Rule: People who oppose Acquittal Do Not Speak Out for Fear of Repercussions!

Brandon Piekarsky's mother's boyfriend, Officer Hayes, patrolled the streets of Shenandoah Friday night with his partner, baton in hand, ready to pounce, in case anyone protested the Acquittal of "Kick in the head" murderer Piekarsky. Followers of the trial may recall Hayes colluded and coached Piekarsky to bring the "boys" together and "get their stories straight" after the murder. With Hayes and his partner goose-stepping the streets, Shenandoah Police said they had no reports of incidents related to the verdict.

Cynthia Riddick, who moved to Shenandoah from Allentown with her three children in 2006, said Shenandoah Valley school administrators sent out electronic phone calls warning that anyone who protested would be punished. Somehow the administration knew in advance the all white jury would acquit their "boys." Riddick also said police made a ''show of force'' Friday night, standing uptown to discourage trouble. One can only imagine the fear in the hearts of all those opposed to the wrongful acquittal when they saw Hayes patrolling the city streets in full battle attire. Riddick said she thought the verdict was ''terrible'' and had people of color been on trial for beating a white person, ''I think they would be in prison right now, convicted of everything.'' Few people are speaking out for fear of ''repercussions,'' she said.

Jeremy Knorr, another Shenandoah resident, said the community remains split, and while there is quiet now, he expects there eventually will be ''a big fight in town. There's going to be a riot.'' Loretta Lipsett, 30, who is of Puerto Rican descent, said race relations have soured since Ramirez's death, and her 7-year-old daughter has been teased by other children because of her dark complexion. ''I just tell her to walk away,'' Lipsett said.

Gladys Limon, an attorney with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said the acquittal was a complete outrage. ''This was murder. Luis Ramirez was murdered. A father, a son, a brother, a partner was murdered. The message the verdict sends is you can kill a person, you can stomp on their head until the person dies, based on their national heritage.'' Limon, who attended the five-day trial with Crystal Dillman of Shenandoah, who had two children with Ramirez, said the Los Angeles-based MALDEF, ''urges the Department of Justice to continue their prosecution of these individuals.'' The Justice Department has acknowledged it has an open investigation in the case, but has declined to be specific. Another teen who was with Donchak and Piekarsky that night but wasn't charged, Ben Lawson, testified at the trial Monday he has been a witness in the case before a federal grand jury in Scranton. Grand jury testimony is secret.

Not all on the jury supported acquittal. Jury foreman Eric Macklin of Schuylkill Haven said he was the lone holdout when the jury voted 11-1 for acquittal after deliberating just two hours, but voted with the others six hours later because he felt there was reasonable doubt as to the teens' guilt. He did believe the accused were racists. Annette Holopirek, who was among the four alternate jurors dismissed said ''I think there's guilt involved.''

When the verdicts were read, the locals in the audience cheered for the defendants getting away with their racist attack and murder. No remorse was shown for the man that they knowingly killed, and kicked while he lay unconscious on the ground. There was no justice for Luis Ramirez or his children. In Shenandoah, the town just doesn't care what their racist hooligans do in the streets when the lights go out.

Reference:

Hispanic group: Verdict is an 'outrage'

Justice Denied: All White Local Jury Acquits Murderous Kicker Piekarsky of Murder Charge!

Justice has been denied! An All-White Local Jury, loaded with friends and acquaintances of the murderous defendants, acquitted the murderous kicker Piekarsky and the brass-knuckled aggressor Donchak of the serious murder charges. Instead, the biased jury merely slapped their "boys" on the hand by delivering a misdemeanor simple assault charge.

The prosecutors case was strong. Colin Walsh was the strongest and most credible witness. The night of the assault against Ramirez, Walsh stood immediately next to Piekarsky as he delivered that final kick to the head and Walsh testified to these facts in court. Brian Scully, another eye-witness, testified to the same.

The Jury foreman Eric Macklin said, "'I think it's absolutely horrible what happened to Luis Ramirez. I was very, very close to finding them both guilty on every serious count, but due to the evidence presented, I was not sure beyond a reasonable doubt. I do believe that all four boys involved are racists.'' Unfortunately the eleven other jurors were quick to vote dismissal of ALL of the charges for the defendants and soon overpowered the testimony-focused Macklin.

Piekarsky and Donchak KNOW they got away with murder. The LIVE BLOG reported that Piekarsky was JUBILANT when the all-white jury brought back their verdict. Murderer Piekarsky was laughing and jumping for joy with his getting one over on the Justice System.

As the jury was deliberating, outside, on the local city streets, friends of the defendants and the crooked cops were patrolling the area close to the courthouse.

Comment from LIVE BLOG:

10:06: [Comment From pizza ]I was just in Shenandoah (downtown) - lots of kids and lots of police presence...Officer Moyer, Officer Gennarini and Officer Hayes (two of which were involved in this trial.)

Heaven help any minorities in that racist town with the likes of Moyer and Hayes on the street. Hayes, as you may recall from the testimony, is Piekarsky's mom's boyfriend. He assisted Piekarsky with the LYING Cover Story. Piekarsky was instructed to bring all the boys together to "get their story straight." And, according to testimony, that is exactly what Piekarsky did. Now, Hayes is patrolling the streets. God SAVE any Latinos in that town if Hayes is patrolling the streets. Given the testimony, I don't know why he hasn't been charged with corruption.

The local blogs are rife with racist and deplorable remarks including:

. sick shiet wrote: our founding fathers killed plenty of brits to get them out our country---and they spoke the same language!

. berks iraq vet wrote: If he would not have broken US Immigration Laws he'd still be alive.

. disgusted wrote: The only good illegal alien is a dead illegal alien. Deporting them does not work because they're back here - breaking the laws and stealing our jobs - within a few short weeks. These guys merely did what our criminal justice system and our government should be doing to protect us, but don't.

. sick shiet wrote: GRACIOUS FOR TELLING THEM MEXICANS IN MEXICO CITY.gringos need more americans like you to tell them mexicans in mexico city and tijuana---that's why those two scumbag towns have the swine flu to begin with, and all the mexican drug cartel murders.mexican heroin-cocaine cartel is nothing but losers, scum, and killers!

. b lew gumbs wrote: Those jurors, except the poosey foreman, are to be commended. They stood strong in the face of the whiney liberal loser threats of rioting and pillaging (which is what they do best), and delivered a just verdict.The worthless, pedophile, illegal got real justice, not some academic Obamaesque version.

. jim chunk wrote: Cinco De Mayo in Shenandoah should be fun to watch!

. skeeter wrote: The skunk got what he deserved. Good job Shenandoah.

. sick shiet wrote: YES----BLACKS AND LATINO CRIMINALS SHOULD FINALLY, FINALLY, BE PUT IN JAIL...NO JESSE HYMIE TOWN JACKSON NONSENSE.

. fatboy2 wrote: Here is another silly story. I grew up in Philly. There are many parts on Philly a white man should not be in broad daylight let alone at night. I am walking through with my arm around a 12 year old all happy because we are headed to do the deed. As we walk arm in arm past a basketball court were 4 teens are drinking 40s and smoking a blunt one of them yells out "Hey little girl shouldn't you be in bed?" and another yells out hey Fatboy shouldn't you be at Jenny Craig?" I am furious and rip off my shirt and go charging in and one of them stabs me and I die. Isn't that just Darwin's way of weeding out the mentally challenged?

. coaltrain: God bless you good folks up there in coal country!! Somebody buy them boys a beer.

---------------------------

The DANGER with this verdict is these types of crimes will continue. The racist HATE Criminals will know they can kill Latinos and not worry about suffering any significant penalty for their murderous acts. As you can see, with this verdict, the local comment sections are spewing hate towards all Latinos. (It is ALL Latinos because in their hate-filled eyes, ALL Latinos fit the racial profile of an illegal immigrant.) You can see the scandalous lies passed around by the Shock Jocks like Dobbs and Beck including "illegal immigrants spread the swine flu, and all Latinos are members of drug cartels." The "dirty cops" just complicate the situation for those in Schuylkill county. What protections do any Latinos living in that area have? With Moyers and Hayes, based on the testimony, it is obvious! None!!

The only hope for the end of these HATE CRIMES is to ensure the criminals are held accountable for their crimes. That is the only way they will stop. It is imperative that the DOJ continues to investigate the Federal Charges and also look into Corruption charges for Hayes. They may also want to investigate the Jury for their bias. Are there questions in the jury selection questionnaire they LIED about? We know about the Driver's Ed Teacher alternate. But how close were the eleven (not including the foreman) to the defendants? I believe the DOJ should and MUST investigate and initiate charges where warranted!

LIVE BLOG 5/01/09: "Kick In The Head" Murder Trial Underway - Piekarsky and Donchak - Ramirez Murder

UPDATE: VERDICT IN --
1. Piekarsky: guilty of simple assault. Acquitted on all other charges.
Kicker Piekarsky Jubilant!
2. Donchak: guilty of simple assault, and 3 charges each for corruption of minors and selling/furnishing alcohol to minors, acquitted on all other charges.
NO JUSTICE! MURDERERS ONLY Slightly slapped on the hand for murdering a young father by brutally kicking him in the head as he lay unconcsious! And the KILLER is JUBILANT!

The Ramirez (Kick in the Head) Murder Trial began Monday 4/27/09, and continues today. The Republican/Herald is running a LIVE Blog. They have a reporter in the courtroom who is sending summarized updates which I am posting to this blog.
The Prosecution and Defense deliver their Closing Arguments.
Friday, 5/01: (all times Eastern)
8:37: Piekarsky and Donchak have arrived in the courthouse.
9:03: Markosky (Donchak's lawyer) begins closing arguments for defense. Markosky: Redmond is the only one who was sober and did not change his initial statement. Markosky: Redmond said Donchak didn't arrive until after the initial exchange of comments. Markosky: "make no mistake: those two (Donchak and Ramirez) engaged in a fist fight." Markosky: There was no metal, and Donchak's involvement ended when he pulled Ramirez to his feet after their altercation. Markosky: testimony says Donchak and Ramirez grabbed each other--tough to do with a weapon in hand. Markosky: no testimony puts the weapon in Donchak's hands at the scene. Markosky on Walsh and Scully: "they want others to take the fall for their actions." Markosky on "Border Patrol" shirt: "a t-shirt is not an expression of what that person believes. It's a t-shirt." Markosky: I didn't question many of the witnesses because they didn't mention Donchak. Markosky: it was Donchak who called the police--you don't do that if you're guilty.
9:38: Fanelli (Piekarsky's lawyer) begins closing statement. Fanelli: prosecution "shaped" evidence to fit their story of racially motivated crime. Fanelli: prosecution alleged "sophisticated cover-up" but called no investigating officers. Fanelli: no testimony said Piekarsky used slurs. Fanelli: prosecution was rude on cross-exam to police in open court--imagine the pressure the kids they called must have felt. Fanelli: Schlack's testimony said a beating, but her 911 tape said fighting "each other". Fanelli: prosecution did not call Arielle Garcia, who saw white shoes on kicker. Fanelli: "not calling the eyewitness...is that in helping you determine the truth?" Both defense lawyers have spoken about responsibility for one's actions, mentioning Ramirez attacking after the boys walked away. Fanelli: Lawson was scared too--he'd drank, lied to police, and beat on the Garcias vehicle. Fanelli: "Ben Lawson would blame that desk if he thought that's what he was supposed to do." Fanelli working to discredit some of the boys in the group. Fanelli: Scully was first at the police station the next day; "his plan from day 1 was to distance himself from all of this". Fanelli on Scully: "this is the same kid who told an FBI agent 'shred one of my statements'". Fanelli: Walsh had charges dropped in return for testifying about Piekarsky's and Donchak's involvement. Fanelli: Arielle Garcia on white shoes: "it's a picture that plays out in my mind". Fanelli: Arielle's 911 tape said "someone kicked him in the face...I know the names". Fanelli: Garcia said "you killed him" to Scully and does not recall a denial. Fanelli: prosecution "didn't call the cops to testify, they attacked the cops when they testified." Fanelli: Bollinger told us "it's in my report, you go figure it out" yet was a a paid prosecution consultant and met with them 7 to 9 times. Fanelli: it was implied Shen. cops were "in on it", yet D.A. Office was on case at 2:30 a.m. and started interviews at 9 a.m. Fanelli: it's unfair that Det. Carroll didn't have eyewitnesses examine the shoes. Fanelli: "You know that the key to their freedom is in Brian Scully's bedroom, and you don't go and get it?" Fanelli: "There is not only reasonable doubt in this case--there is overwhelming doubt." Fanelli to jurors: would you decide something important in your life based on testimony by Scully, Walsh and Lawson? Fanelli's final point: if you think it is possible Scully kicked Ramirez, there is reasonable doubt.
Recess until 11:10 a.m. Defense's closing arguments ran nearly as long as the entirety of its' direct examination.
Note: The item in question in Scully's bedroom was the shoes.
11:14: Frantz delivering closing arguments for the prosecution. Frantz: defense's version of events is "fiction." Frantz: this case is not about boys who were concerned for Roxanne Rector--Scully's comments were "sarcastic". Frantz: Ramirez called for help, not back-up--a husband who tried to break up the fight and wife who broke down on the stand. Frantz: BB gun was a red herring; this is not about self-defense. Frantz: "We got the right guy." Frantz: we have walked jury through evidence puzzle "piece by piece by piece until you saw the picture".
Sent to Jury
(video footage)
8:42pm: Fatigue is starting to set in for members of the press and public who have been at the courthouse since 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
9:01pm: liveblogrh: Six hours have passed since the jury began its deliberations.
10:07: liveblogrh: Jury recalled for a question--they asked Baldwin to go over the charge of reckless endangerment.
10:30: liveblogrh: The jurors returned for another question, and Baldwin again explained the definition of ethnic intimidation.
10:31: liveblogrh: Sources are starting to buzz about a verdict coming tonight.
10:39: liveblogrh: Verdict is in.
10:48: liveblogrh: Piekarsky: guilty of simple assault. Acquited on all other charges.
10:50: liveblogrh: Donchak: guilty of simple assault, and 3 charges each for corruption of minors and selling/furnishing alcohol to minors, all others acquitted. Note: Consumption of liquor by a minor is a summary offense and Baldwin will rule.
10:53: liveblogrh: Both ethnic intimidation charges and Piekarsky's criminal homicide charges were dropped.
11:06: liveblogrh: The defendants had no comment. Donchak's eyes seemed watery, Pierkarsky was jubilant. liveblogrh: Look for comments from Fanelli, Goodman and the jury foreperson in our wrap-up article.
11:14: liveblogrh: This concludes tonight's coverage and the trial as a whole. Thank you for following our live coverage this week.