Update July 26th: The special guests were Supervisor Wally Covington and Supervisor Marty Nohe. Also in attendance were Kris Nohe, Marty Nohe’s Senior Aide Tracy Gordon, and Supervisor John Stirrup aide Karen Ulrich.
Update July 25th: Getting word that we will have special guests from the county government attending tonight’s screening. I look forward to seeing everybody there!
Friday, July 25th at 7:30pm
Trinity Episcopal Church
9325 West Street
Manassas, VA 20110
Will the special guests from the county government be making any speeches or taking questions?
Generally it is an informal group and you can just go up to them and talk one on one. I hope this helps.
I can’t wait to see who shows up, with my own two eyes! đ
You all enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Fudv9bT3I
I missed the screening, and I missed seeing you all in person. However, the beach is quite lovely, and I am pleased to be taking a break. I hope you all will update me here on how things went. I am anxious to hear about it.
Later dudes!
DiversityGal,
I hope you have good weather. Which beach? We miss you.
What? No report? Who were the mystery guests?
Robb, those are some beautiful words. I think you have a calling.
Robb Pearson said:
So who was there? Who was there? That’s not fair. Don’t keep us home bodies in suspense! đ
I figured here is as good a place as any to post this . . .
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20080725/Immigrant.Killing.Students/
There are those who decry the presence of “illegal aliens” because they “import crime”. Well we have our own wonderful home-grown crime to deal with as well. This time three white American teens, not very far from where I live actually, beat a Mexican teen to death this week simply because he was Mexican. And yes, the teen was here “illegally”, though came here when he was 12, and he was often derided and scolded and told to go back where he came from.
If you think the vile and far too often racially-charged “anti-illegal immigration” movement doesn’t eventually produce evil effects (i.e., cultivating and generating intolerance), and that it’s merely about “rule of law”, think again as you consider this horrific incident.
An addendum to my previous comment . . .
CORRECTION: The attack occurred two weeks ago, not this past week.
Last year, some may recall, four teens in Newark, NJ were killed by a man who was in the country illegally. The media was all over it, and even Tom Tancredo flew in from Colorado to pontificate on the “evils” of “illegal immigration”. It drew massive national attention and simply fueled the already insane fervor pervading the “anti-illegal immigration” movement.
I wonder though, will this Mexican teen who was viciously murdered be equally mourned, will his murder by three American whites be loudly protested with equal indignation, and will his murder become a righteous anecdote demonstrating the evils produced by the “anti-illegal immigration” movement?
Thank you for posting this story, no matter how tragic, Rod. This is exactly the kind of violence we want to avoid. When we teach our children to hate, they will indeed hate.
I mean Robb! Dammit!
Robb,
Thanks for posting this article. This is a horrible story. I hope these three teens get the maximum punishment allowed by law. No one wants to see such a crime committed in their community. However, there will be those that will say “if they weren’t here illegally they wouldn’t be a victim”. This train of thought is simply unacceptable in my mind. A persons status irrelevant in a case such as murder.
k-
Are you still in suspense?
That excuse has already been given by the dark hearts on the dark side.
Censored,
I’m NOT the least bit surprised.
It was nice to see you again last night.
Marie,
It was very nice meeting and talking to you. I’m still thinking of our conversation.
So who came last night?
Chris, 26. July 2008, 9:11
k-
Are you still in suspense?
YES!!!!!!!! đ
Oh wait. Just read another thread. Wally Covington and Marty Nohe…and Sharon Pandak? Can anyone confirm?
If Wally was there, I am very glad. He’s my Sup. and I’ve been at enough meetings that I think he might have heard me đ
Robb,
Thanks for posting that article. The silence of the media on this crime is deafening.
Check out this video of 2 Latinos who’s truck tipped onto its side. For whatever reason, they walked away and some vigilantes decided to hunt them down and illegally assault them. The amazing thing is they actually videotaped themselves and don’t think they did anything wrong. These Latinos had every right to resist illegal assault with force.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrWqnMYifw4
Supervisor Covington and Supervisor Nohe were there. Nohe spoke during the Q/A and joked around and then praised the new policy and Chief Deane. Both stayed for a long time to mingle. Covington talked openly with people during the mingle but declined to speak during Q/A. He looks good with stubble! Is there a rule about more than two Supervisors hanging out? It would have been great to see more of them. Film leaves me wanting to learn more about Caddigan and May.
The guy who owns Dixie Bones BBQ was there. Carlos Castro of Todos Supermarket (he was also in the film) briefly. Gregg Reynolds who was in the film briefly. Chris Panelle (sp?) was there and spoke during Q/A. I counted 5 Help Save Manassas members who are still with the program. They took notes the whole time. Annabel invited Maureen to speak during Q/A but she declined. Alanna was there but not Elena.
They added new footage about the attack on Chief Deane that gave the film an emotional thread it didn’t have last time. Big improvement. Made the April 29 showdown even more dramatic! Came away loving and respecting Chief Deane even more than before. Q/A was about where do we go from here. How do we get the message out that the law is changed and we don’t deserve to be the villains in Washintonian Magazine, or at least should get some credit for reversing course after admitting a mistake.
“He looks good with stubble!” LMAO! I don’t think I have ever seen Wally Covington with stubble. I think he shaves before BOCS meetings.
Maybe he was trying to go incognito đ
Thanks for the great synopsis, NGL! Sorry to have missed the fun but there is only so much people like me can get done đ
“How do we get the message out that the law is changed and we donât deserve to be the villains in Washintonian Magazine, or at least should get some credit for reversing course after admitting a mistake.”
We get rid of the rest of the resolution and admit it’s useless. Then POOF! The whole stupid thing is gone and we can settle down to solving the real neighborhood and intercultural issues.
Sorry I missed the screening. I’m dying to see it. Please post more clips, 9500liberty.
NGL,
We never admitted to making a mistake with the modifications. Everything was decided on a financial basis. I think we do need to apologize to the Hispanic and immigrant communities and admit that we made a mistake before we can move onto anything else.
This video is what FAIR, GregL, DueCaster, et.al. are working to make a reality. Check out the illegal detention and violation of 4th amendment rights that took place against a Latino in this video. This is a classic example of police abuse under the color of the the law.
Checkpoints like these are starting to pop up all over the country.
If you put a frog in a pot of boiling water, it will jump right out.
If you put him in a pot of cool water and then slowly raise the temperature until it boils, he will sit there and boil to death.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrFRObbSDDo
How about just acting normally and responsibily and asking Chief to continue his community outreach program. It would be nice if he could do his job without being accused of treason.
If the Latino community sees they are being treated fairly, that counts for more than some empty government apology which is never going to happen anyway.
This is actually a pretty simple concept. Smile at people you see out in public. That sends a much better message than a government apology. It sounds trite but it works.
The order of the red circle will continue to propagate lies about crime rate, local job market, the local housing market, and soon they will start cooking the school books about the great savings from all the ESOL students ‘being on the run.’ We just have to counter with correct, verifiable information.
An outright apology might not do too much good but they can say something like they didn’t expect the negative social ramifications the policy has had and that the results weren’t what they intended.
More Movies!
Unity in the Community
in collaboration with
George Mason University
Manassas Campus
University Life
http://www.unityitc.org/
703-368-5225
presents
Crossing the Line
An Immigration Film Series
at the
George Mason University
Manassas Campus, Verizon Auditorium
Sat, Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m. Da Nadie — Prepare for the journey as an unknown, a nothing, no one. Prepare to leave everything behind and travel alone. Prepare to face the same intimidation when you cross into the United States–if you live through it.
Sun, Aug. 3, 2:30 p.m. Letters From the Other Side — A much-needed examination of the collateral damage of illegal immigration, sensitive. effective and emotionally potent. John Anderson, Variety
Sat, Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m. Golden Venture — A shipload of immigrants runs aground creating a media circus and symbol of a growing national concern over undocumented immigration.
Sun, Aug. 10, 2:30 p.m. Ramchand Pakistani — A true story of the accidental crossing of the Pakistan-Indian border, two members of a Pakistani Hindu family belonging to the ‘untouchable’ (Dalit) caste, and the extraordinary consequences of this unintended action on the lives of a woman, a man, and their son.
Sat, Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m. Alienated: Undocumented Immigrant Youth —
Undocumented immigrant youth face the challenges of life after high school without options for legalized work or college.
and
Beyond the Border — Latinos seeking a better life have migrated to Kentucky, for low-paying jobs in the tobacco, manufacturing and horse racing industries. As Latino communities swell, so does the xenophobia and discrimination they face.
Sun, Aug. 17, 2:30 p.m. Under the Same Moon — The reunion of 9-year-old Carlitos and his mother, Rosario, who works as an illegal domestic in Los Angeles.
Sat, Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m. Farmingville — The shocking hate-based attempted murders of two Mexican day laborers catapult a small Long Island town into national headlines,
Sun, Aug. 24, 2:30 p.m. To Be Announced
Following the films, join discussions facilitated by students from George Mason’s Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
“Is there a rule about more than two Supervisors hanging out”
It only applies if they are meeting to discuss PWC business.
I truly do not understand why Nohe hangs around with Wally. I saw them having dinner at Ruby Tuesday’s in County Center one evening after a BOCS meeting. Mr. Nohe is a truly good-hearted man. Wally is a vengeful little prick.
Fontbonne, what makes you say that about Wally? Are you in his district? I am and I don’t think I would apply that term to him.
Fontbonne,
Haha. Please elaborate Fontbonne. We should know who our supervisors really are as opposed to the public face all public officials carefully craft.
Wally has a pretty good poker face. He is very careful what he says as far as I can see. Our Chair could learn a good lesson or two in this area.
I’ve railed on Wally several times because of overdevelopment in our area. And of course, I’ve ralied on the whole BOCS about the resolution.
They were only 2 supervisors there. Mr. Nohe and Mr. Covington. They were in a gathering open to the public.
Fontbonne, those are rather strong words, although probably not as unflattering as you would have us believe. I don’t believe I would apply them to Mr. Covington either.
There are certain times that being a vengeful little prick just seems like the order of the day.
Don’t get me wrong…there are OTHER people I might apply those words to. But I probably wouldn’t say them. I don’t have to because Font did. đ
I thought the dialog among the viewers after the screening was healthy, I thought.
As Annabel explained, people would share their views with the filmmakers but wouldn’t communicate with each other. Watching the film gives you a chance to hear all those voices and views, and prompts you, afterward to speak up.
I liked hearing Maj. Gaskill’s personal insights about Chief Deane’s integrity.
I wish someone who is a member of HSM had spoken, but I understand if they didn’t. While the parish hall was a safe, neutral place, the presence of reporters and cameras may have intimidated some.
I can’t wait to see what comes out of the dialogs at Unity’s film series at GMU in August, and the pilot study circles in the fall. Shut off the cameras, add a facilitator and I think the dialog would be a good experience.
I think Nancy was correct also — no matter how many invitations, how can Latinos feel safe to participate when they still have the resolution’s knife-in-the-back sticking in them?
Why the personal attack on Wally Covington, or for that matter, anyone involved in this? Eric & Annabel’s whole point is, don’t attack people, walk in their shoes, listen to what they have to say, see things from their viewpoint.
I don’t believe ‘recind the resolution’ is a viable ‘battle cry’ now. The resolution was neutered. That’s as good as it is going to get. Let’s not beat a dead horse. MWB could do a good turn now by helping to reassure the Latino community rather than incite their fears. I sincerely hope that is happening.
All of this needs to move beyond the ‘football game’ mentality into positive dialogue. We score /you score is just not productive. The only people who are going to be considered credible are going to be those who reject extremism and who embrace compromise.
The healing begins with people just using common courtesy and good manners.
Hey Alanna,
We are the students from Georgetown that talked to you briefly last night. We couldn’t find an email address for you, so we decided to post a comment. Please send us an email or give us a call at your earliest convenience regarding what we discussed. Thanks!
Footbone, you should be thankful that Supervisor Covington made the right choice on April 29. The Anti-Immigrant Lobby and the Republican State Party gave him a lot of reasons not to. And, when he is representing his district, he speaks on this issue responsibly and with clarity.
Why I want the rest of the Resolution Gone http://luxuriouschoices.blogspot.com/2008/07/todays-testimony-to-bocs.html
“This morning, I emailed you a copy of an article from the July edition of Washingtonian Magazine. On the bottom right-hand corner, the PWC BOCS was listed as a âvillainâ because of its immigration resolution.
Out in Utah, the United Way has published an article on us as an example of what NOT to do.
And the Southern Poverty Law Center, no matter what you might think of them, has declared the authors of our policy a hate group.
In 2007, thousands of residents gathered in and in front of your chambers to protest passage of the immigration resolution. They were ignored. But you listened to lobbyists and residents from outside the county emailing to inflict their agendas on us.
Currently, the provisions of the resolution offer the county police the same rights and responsibilities they had pre-resolution. What a waste of time and money to get what we already had through 287g.
I am still concerned that the other provisions remain on the books: denial of certain services to the elderly, sick and disabled. I have been told that the eight services denied illegal immigrants have not saved the county any significant money. I have heard there are quote, âonly a fewâ elderly people being denied meals on wheels. I have heard that there are quote, âonly a fewâ addicts not being treated. And there are only quote, âa fewâ people being denied assistance with home repairs.
These people do not deserve to be singled out and denied necessary services. When we neglect our elderly and sick, we put our own county in jeopardy. Not only do we propagate addiction, we continue to neglect neighborhoods already being complained about. And we appear, as the Washingtonian says, villains.
I am asking you to remove these useless, mean spirited policies from the books. This is not the right way to stop illegal immigration. We donât need to resort to actions like these to have better communities.”
Beautiful Katherine! You and Robb should go on tour making public speeches. I agree with everything, but why not leave in the home repairs thing? Just a quibble. If I had written this letter I’d have left it out as a complaint because on the surface it seems reasonable. I could be wrong because I have not taken much interest in the public services aspect of the Immigration Resolution. I felt they had essentially neutered that in 2007 … and by neutered I mean that the Oct. 16 resolution was not going to harm the larger community and break our bank account where as the Duecaster Disaster version would have been very costly.
Maureen Wood: now that you’ve seen it twice, are you in a better to answer my previous question (can’t remember which thread). I was just asking how you feel about The GregNCorey Show lying to you about the tougher stronger crackdown resolution passed unanimously on April 29? In this movie, Corey’s own words belie the lie. How do you defend that? And doesn’t it make you mad? Because who else do you think he wanted to deceive if not Help Save Manassas?
If you could have your druthers about what sort of politician to have in your pocket, wouldn’t you prefer one who will tell you the truth, win or lose? Rather than to lose and then lie to you about it?
I don’t think that the resolution will be rescinded immediately, but I think it could be – if the university study group presents data which proves it’s in our best interest socially, financially, legally to do so. The results of that study could give the BOCS a reason to change course. For now, it’s been weakened at least.
I think the people present last night were your average concerned middle class, middle-of-the road voters. Actually, that type of voter probably represents the majority of PWC residents. It would be nice to bring the two polar opposites to the table as well – HSM which fomented the brouhaha in our community and MWB many of whose members were on the receiving end of the resolution’s enforcement. I was disappointed that the HSM members left without contributing to the dialogue. And Nancy and John, I’d like to see you get more of your members to some of these meetings so that they can add to the dialogue too.
Chris- It was nice meeting you as well. I hope that we will have other opportunities to meet and converse.
I thought last nights viewing of the video went well. I, too, wish the HSM folks would have hung around and participated in the QA time. This is not the first time I have been in a similar venue with them where they had an opportunity to participate but did not. It appears they just take notes. I am going to assume they report back to their leader or the HSM membership. Maureen Wood has never had a problem speaking in other public arenas so I do not know why she was not willing to speak last night. I can only hope that after seeing the video that maybe she and her compadres are beginning to see the light. Hopeful, aren’t I?
I do have to agree with Nancy Lyall. The Hispanic/Latino community is fearful. They have been stabbed in the back. Changing the resolution only pulled the knife out part way. It pained me once again to hear what she had to say. Many of you may or may not agree with her but what she says is usually painfully true. The Hispanic/Latino community needs to be embraced and welcomed. I speak to those living in my neighborhood and they are fearful. They no longer live in freedom because of their fear. They are hostages. Rescinding the resolution may help but I wonder. The damage has already been done. The Hispanic/Latino’s will never trust the community or its political leaders again and if they do it will take a very long time. So, it is up to us. Speak to your Hispanic/Latino neighbors, smile and say hello when you pass them on the street, in the grocery store, in the mall or where ever. The change in will have to start with each of us doing our part to help heal the wounds and to pull the knife out of their backs. I also hope that Nancy and John can get more Hispanic/Latinos to attend meetings such as last night’s and contribute to the dialog. Given the fear I wonder if they are willing.
The resolution is not needed and it should be rescinded. The 287(g) program is working and was working in the jail. Why the duplication? As Chief Deane reported in April 2008, the same number of people arrested in March 2008 under the resolution would have been arrested without it.
Censored,
I agree with your statement to John & Nancy. They also, need to reinterate to their members NOT be fearful to report a crime. I’m not sure how hard that point has been driven home to those in fear of calling the police when they are victims.
Marie,
I think it’s only fitting to point out HSM one sole spokesperson, and that’s the president. Perhaps, that’s why Maureen declined to talk. I don’t know. I really wish they’d stuck around. I think they may have seen some common ground with most there.
I hope we can get together for a “local mini-economy party” in the near future.
K-
Sorry, I didn’t get back to you. I got side tracked by more important things. đ NotGL gave a nice review. I was very pleased to see Marty & Wally there. I hope the other 6 Supervisors take the time to go to one of the screenings.
NotGL-
Excellent review of the evening.
Sounds like everything was very interesting. I am bummed I missed it, but I am so glad that you guys gave me the details. Thanks!
I have never posted to this blog before but I have been following the blog since its inception.
I was at the screening last night and want to say a few things. First, it was easy to watch the feature and lose sight that the resolution wasnât about political maneuvering, it was always about the damage it did to real, live people. Second, I disagree with Annabelleâs reference to HSM and MSF as being on opposite sides of the spectrum. I think this is a poor characterization of MSF. I donât perceive them as being anywhere near as radical as HSM. They represent a group of people that have little power over the political process at the local, state or federal level. People that have no political power must advocate for themselves in a very different way than those that do. Remember the civil rights movement of the 1960âs? Demonstrations, marches, economic boycotts. How can MSF actions over the past year be understood as anything other than the attempt of powerless people to be heard. While MSF did not represent all members of the Hispanic community they certainly proved they had the ear of many and could turn out a crowd when needed. I was at many MSF events and saw nothing but lawful, respectful, orderly and compassionate actions. All coming from people who were bearing the brunt of a mob action that was sweeping the county.
Nancy L made some very good points last night about the Hispanic community still having a knife in their backs. Our BOCS sold a whole group of people down the river for their own political agendas and then turned a deaf ear to them. I donât see how healing can take place in our community until the knife is removed from the victims back. MSF can bring many victims into the healing process but first the knife needs to be removed. Marty and Wally should not have been smiling at the end of last nights screening. They were the perpetrators of the crime.
Tenacious, HSM was allowed to paint MWB as extremist through the use of Letiecq’s blog ,which was the only game in town and highly censored. But anyone who watched the twelve hour BOCS Citizens Time knows that isn’t the truth for the vast majority of MWB. The press has further focused on the two groups as opposites usually inviting the same speakers as representatives. I think it’s important for those people who were far and away the majority at that BOCS meeting to come out again as much as they feel safe doing. They should join the dialogue with mainstream people who attended the screening last night. Don’t let Letiecq banish people to the shadows. Come out and let your opinion be heard. That resolution blind-sided the average person in this county. Help reestablish the ties with the residents. If HSM wants to remain a marginalized group, that’s its members’ choice. Don’t let it be yours. Take that power away from them.
I think getting rid of the rest of the resolution would help remove the knife.
WHWN, outside of what I listed in my little speech, I think we need to give the elderly home repair services because first, they are elderly and cannot do it themselves, and second, we need to make sure the neighborhoods are kept up. Furthermore, homes in disrepair can be dangerous and fire hazards.
Some people love to complain about their neighbors’ houses, but then they want to make sure the elderly cannot get the problem fixed. Huh??
I think another thing that would help the community as a whole. Is for the media to reach out to those more in the middle. Nancy nor Greg represent the thoughts of the majority of the residents in PWC. It’s time for the media “beat the streets” and find the thought of those with a more moderate tone, and not the same ole tired rethoric we’ve heard for the last year.