Tag Archives: immigrant issues

News on Apartheid Wall: U.S./Mexican Border

There is an article in today’s Deseret News on Utahns building the border wall along the U.S./Mexican border in Arizona. The article pretty much glorifies the whole project and soldiers are quoted as “following Bush’s orders”.

“CAPITAL TRAVELS FREELY – WHY NOT PEOPLE!”

This morning I offered my comments in response to Rep. Chris Cannon’s press release on the immigration issue. One comment I made was that if capital can freely travel, people out to be able to also.
This afternoon I received the article below in my email box and thought it was timely, so I’ve reprinted it here.
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Women of Color in the Global Women’s Strike and the Global Women’s Strike participated in actions in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia and circulated this statement.
FOR MAY 1, 2006, “A DAY WITHOUT AN IMMIGRANT.”

WOMEN SAY “CAPITAL TRAVELS FREELY – WHY NOT PEOPLE!”

A massive movement of grassroots women and men, workers and students, on the streets in the US is demanding that their work be counted and that this be reflected in what they are entitled to: immediate amnesty for all immigrants, no to criminalization, an end to militarization and fences along the US/Mexico border, no increased enforcement, no separation of families, an end to racism, and no to HR 4437 (the Sensenbrenner/King bill). On March 25th 2006, more than one million women, men and children filled the streets of downtown Los Angeles, 500,000 marched in Bush’s home state of Texas, and millions more participated in protests across both urban and rural US, North and South.

This massive and growing movement has shocked elected officials, who are now scrambling to find a way to achieve their goals. The House of Representatives had passed HR4437, and this initially sparked the protests. Since then the Senate has put forward legislation that, while appearing to meet the movement’s demands, is just as punitive, sexist and racist.

The Kennedy McCain Bill, no Solution
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Cannon releases Immigration Report Press Release

Utah Rep Chris Cannon has released this report. My comments in bold.

Cannon Immigration Advisory Committee Releases Final Report

For Immediate Release
May 1, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman Chris Cannon (R-UT) today announced that his Immigration Advisory Committee has released the Committee’s final report and recommendations. The Committee is comprised of nineteen members, who represent multiple view points of the immigration debate.

A copy of the full report can be obtained by calling Congressman Cannon’s office at 202-225-7751 or by clicking here.

“With the immigration debate being so divisive and difficult, the Immigration Advisory Committee hopes Congress will adopt comprehensive immigration reform that does not provide amnesty, but does address the root causes of immigration and changes the current incentive structure. A well-thought-out guest worker program accomplishes such a task,” the report reads.

How about a root cause being that capital can freely move but not people? Where is the equity in that?

“Those who are currently living in the United States illegally will have the necessary incentives to come out of the shadows and begin the process towards legality…Such a guest worker program will help solve many of our immigration quandaries,

What “incentives”?

but to have a full solution, we must also fully secure our borders, provide visa reform and vigorously enforce our laws internally.”

Does this mean that the parents and grandparents with children that were born here will only be able to work here for several years and then have to return to their country?”

The report also concluded that illegal immigration will continue to be a problem until Mexico and Latin America are economically empowered to care for their own citizens.

How will that be done? If you read between the lines, does that mean U.S. “intervention” of these countries to “bring them a better economy” (like the U.S. did for Iraq)?

“This is an extremely important report which reflects a consensus view of some of the best minds in Utah on an immensely difficult issue. This report has the weight of well-reasoned stances, and will be invaluable to have on hand as Congress tackles the ongoing immigration debate,” Cannon said.

Best minds? What best minds? I’d like to see the list of best minds.

Coverage of Boycott Day

Last night I posted about my experiences at the Liberty Rally and March.

Today’s local media has articles on the effect of yesterday’s boycott and on the events yeseterday locally and around the nation:

Deseret News

  • Boycott’s impact: Migrants’ walkout has a hit-and-miss effect around Utah
  • More than a million march in the U.S.
  • Boycott’s impact: Migrants’ walkout has a hit-and-miss effect around Utah

    Salt Lake Tribune

  • Latinos in Utah boycott work, school, stores: A powerful message
  • Photo Gallery

    KSL Channel 5

  • Rallies, Counter-Protests Held in Utah
  • Immigrants Try to Extend Boycott Momentum
  • Some Businesses Close for Day as Immigrants Rally

    ABC Channel 4

  • Immigration Protestors demonstrate at Liberty Park
  • Utah Minutemen rally for tougher immigration enforcement

    KUTV Channel 2

  • Immigration Protests Close Businesses In Utah
  • Immigration Rallies Sweep U.S.
    Demonstrators Making Statements With Feet, Voices, Wallets

  • Immigration Rallies Around The Country (slideshow)
  • Today’s boycott being felt in Utah schools

    The Salt Lake Tribune has updated its online edition: Update: Utah schools feel effects of Latino boycott: Demonstrations, business boycotts spread nationwide over immigration reform

    Upcoming rallies, marches – busy activist weekend

    This weekend will be busy. As part of Pom Poms Not Bomb Bombs, I will be at the noon rally at the City County Building at Washington Square in Salt Lake City this Saturday, April 29, in solidarity with tens of thousands of demonstrations nationwide to demand an end to the Iraq War. The Radical Cheerleaders will be showing up as an uninvited group, but will be sure not to interfere with the planned program, instead demonstrating on the outskirts of the rally. Jen’s Green Journal has more about this at Poms Not Bombs.

    Saturday night I will change roles to that of a Co-Coordinator of the Desert Greens Green Party of Utah and orgnaizer of the evening’s political debate, Leaving Iraq: Pros and Cons”, a debate between Utah U.S. Senate Candidates.

    Monday, May 1, will find me back into my cheerleading attire and marching in solidarity in a “Walk for Liberty” with the Latino Community in Utah as people around the nation join in a day of boycott – “A Day Without an Immigrant”.