All Eyes Still on Prince William County

MoonHowler

All eyes are still on Prince William County as the residents of Arizona feel our pain at the Harkins Valley Art Theater near Phoenix.  The theater has been packed each night for screenings of 9500Liberty. Eric Byler has been in the Phoenix area for approximately a week now.  This afternoon he hosted a radio show with 3 Republican business people who disapprove of the law passed, SB 1070.

Many folks from Arizona now know all about 0ur county.  A write up in AZ newspaper Phoenix New Times revealed:

The film chronicles the heated battle over an Immigration Resolution (drafted by the same folks who brought us SB 1070), in Prince William County, Virginia that passed in 2008 and was quickly repealed because of devastating economic effects (read more about it here). 9500 Liberty captures both sides of the battle in Prince William County through numerous interviews and video clips, some of which provoked the audience at Harkins into both jeers and cheers.

For example, when a woman tells the Prince William County Board of District Supervisors that they must “Never forget 9/11 and who did that to us – illegals,” the audience at Harkins Valley Art let out a collective grumble. Minutes later, they roared in unified laughter when a man tells the Supervisors, “Don’t confuse the 9/11 with the 7-11.”
Naturally our own Alanna and Elena are  folk heroes and Eric is extremely busy.  That is what happens when you have directed a film on immigration and one of the biggest news events of the day suddenly becomes a highly controversial state law in Arizona rather than a resolution in a county in Virginia.
When asked by Lydia Aranda, a local Wells Fargo executive and a member of the Governor’s Latino Advisory Council,  what was the main lesson he’d  (Byler) learned in Prince William County that continues to be relevant  here  in the county, he responded:
“If [co-director] Annabel [Park] were here, I know what she’d say,” Byler replied. “The biggest lesson is that the immigrants in our community are already integrated into the economy, because the economy does not discriminate based on your national origin. A dollar is a dollar.”
Byler also denied that demonstrations and rallies were productive in our area.  He said that community leaders and business people spoke with supervisors individually and those private conversations are what ultimately lead to a softer approach.
It looks like a home boy it one out of the ball park with 95ooLiberty.
Full story at Phoenix New Times.

GOP Worried that Az Legislation Might Hurt both Fall and Future Elections

MoonHowler

Republicans got that dead cat bounce from the new law in AZ.  However, now they might be going back to the old adage about being careful what you wish for.  Now the movers and the shakers in the GOP are worried that there might be a negative impact from this law and that some new potential base might be lost.

According to Politico.com:

Arizona’s immigration law has been an immediate hit with the Republican base, but some of the party’s top strategists and rising stars worry that the harsh crackdown may do long-term damage to the GOP in the eyes of America’s Hispanic population.

 From Marco Rubio to Jeb Bush to Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Republicans who represent heavily Hispanic states have been vocal in their criticism of the Arizona law, saying it overreaches. Even Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia, a conservative hero for his win last fall, has questioned the law.

 And the party’s long-term thinkers worry that the Arizona law is merely a quick political fix which may create a permanent rift with the fastest growing segment of the U.S. electorate.

Most of us were unaware the Governor McDonnell had weighed in on the AZ  issue. 
The question people need to be asking themselves is will the new legislation help alleviate AZ’s violence.  If the answer is no, then they need another strategy.  They are making a bad mistake if they are curbing lawn care workers entering the United States.  Meanwhile, London burns. 
Specifically, Rove, Jeb Bush, and Governor Perry had the following to say:
“I think there is going to be some constitutional problems with the bill,” top Bush strategist Karl Rove said during a stop on his book tour. “I wished they hadn’t passed it, in a way.”

Jeb Bush was also blunt: “I don’t think this is the proper approach.”
 

Regardless of what GOP heavy-weights say, the many folks in AZ are pleased with their legislation. It must be that RINO Karl Rove who just doesn’t have what it takes to be a conservative Republican. [Sarcasm key pressed.]

Duncan Hunter Wants to Deport American Citizen Children

MoonHowler

Speaking at a rally last week, Congressman Duncan Hunter said he didn’t intend to be mean but yes, he would deport American born children of illegal immigrants. It doesn’t sound like the Constitution means a great deal to Rep. Hunter. According to Huffingtonpost.com:

The San Diego-area Republican congressman spoke Saturday at a video recorded tea party rally in Ramona. Hunter was asked by someone in the crowd if he backed deporting natural-born American citizens who are the children of illegal immigrants.

“I would have to, yes,” Hunter said.

Hunter said in the video that some of his critics believe his stance is mean-spirited.

“And we’re not being mean. We’re just saying it takes more than walking across the border to become an American citizen,” he said. “It’s what’s in our souls.”

Perhaps if Rep. Hunter is going to be a congressman, he needs to uphold the Constitution. Is he planning on amending it? Being an American is in your soul? The 14th Amendment guarantees birth citizenship.

Speaking of Immigrants: Springsteen Given Ellis Island Family Heritage Award

MoonHowler

According to USA Today:

Bruce Springsteen surrounded himself with lovely ladies today as his European roots were celebrated at Ellis Island. Joined by his mother Adele, 85 (center),  and aunts Dora Kirby, 90,  (left) and Ida Urbellis, 87, the rocker was given the Ellis Island Family Heritage Award, given to immigrants or their descendants “who have made a major contribution to the American experience.”

Said The Boss, “You can’t really know who you are and where you’re going unless you know where you came from.” His maternal great-grandmother, Raffaela Zerilli, arrived at Ellis Island from Vico Equense, Italy, on Oct. 3, 1900, with five kids in tow. The rest is history.

Springsteen’s mother Adele (see above) who was the granddaughter of Raffaela Zerilli, married an Irish American, Douglas Springsteen.  They had 3 kids who were raised in New Jersey.  When the Boss was 16 his mother borrowed the money to buy him a guitar.  He taught himself to play it and millions of recordings later, he is truly THE BOSS.

Springsteen on immigration:

Across the Border

Lyrics on next page
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AZ Sheriff calls New Legislation Stupid

MoonHowler

Not everyone in Arizona likes the new Illegal Immigration law in Arizona. One sheriff refuses to enforce the law. He further states that it is some of the worst legislation he has seen in all his years in law enforcement.

Sheriff Clarence Dupnik feels the law will make racial profiling almost mandetory. According to ABC15.com:

PHOENIX — An Arizona sheriff is the latest person to speak out about the state’s new immigration legislation, saying he does not plan to enforce the divisive law.

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik calls Senate Bill 1070 a “stupid law” that will force officers to start profiling. He is one of the first local law enforcement officials to rebel against the law.

“We don’t need to enforce it. It would be irresponsible in my opinion to put people in the Pima County Jail at the taxpayers expense when i can give them to the Border Patrol,” Dupnik said.

The Sheriff admits he could get sued for failing to obey the law, but says that’s a risk he’s willing to take.

The sheriff who is from around the Tucson area sure isn’t the only official who doesn’t like this legislation. The mayor of Phoenix is also suing the state of Arizona over its constitutionality. The mayor does not have the full support of the city council with his lawsuit.

Elena and Alanna Thwart Corey Stewart’s Attempt to Rewrite PWC Immigration History

MoonHowler

When Localities Take On Immigration
Click the above to listen to the show.

Elena and Alanna apparently had a good time calling Chairman Stewart out on his “inaccuracies” today on the Kojo Nnamdi Show on NPR (WAMU).   Corey Stewart is STILL trying to spin that the resolution, neutered of the “probable cause” mandate, is tougher than the original resolution.  

I believe I recall a certain Chairman saying “over his dead body” would he allow the probable cause mandate to be stricken from the immigration resolution.  Hmmmmm, well, it WAS stricken and he is clearly still walking around, alive and well.   Why on earth did he fight soooo hard if he didn’t mind the probable cause being taken out.  As I recall, Anti-BVBL, along with many other citizens who had spoken out against the resolution, celebrated when the probable cause mandate was stricken from the enforcement language.

PWC Crime Statistics 2009

Jon Stewart: Law and Border in Arizona

MoonHowler

Jon Stewart tries to educate himself on just what is going on in Arizona. He postulates that Arizona is the meth lab of democracy. Social commentary gets into Jon’s space.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Law & Border
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Sheriff Corey? Those Quotable Anecdotal Crime Records

MoonHowler

Prince William County set the trend for Arizona?  That would be us, real trend setters.  On the news tonight on channel 5 news at 6 pm and again at 11 pm , it was announced that all eyes would be on Prince William County because three years ago they enacted a Resolution similar to that which Arizona recently signed into law.  Well, sort of. 

Channel 5 next interviewed chairman of the board of supervisors, Corey Stewart.  Corey told the viewers that it saved lives when illegal immigrants were identified and deported.  He further explained that enforcing immigration laws in PWC has had a very large impact on reducing crime in the county.   He elaborated that our overall crime rate is at a 19 year low. 

The reporter added that of the 2000 arrests for serious crime, 121 of those arrested were illegal aliens.  Those figures certainly don’t seem to support what Corey just said on the news.  In fact, I am curious about where this all time low in 19 years comes from.  What was happening 19 years ago that we had such a huge crime rate?  Corey seems to be cherry picking his crime statistic once again. Just thinking back on the horrific crimes committed in the past year or so in Prince William County, I don’t see how anyone can say that our crime rate is lower for serious crime. Prince William has seen an increase in urban type crimes. I expect Corey will continue his anecdotal account of how things are here in Prince William rather than relying on empirical data gathered from crime statistics.

His fellow supervisors need to call him out on his shoddy reporting. I wish one of them could call channel 5 and repudiate Corey Stewart’s loose and slippery statistics.  On the other hand, perhaps Corey wants to be the next Sheriff Joe.  meanwhile, I wish he would just stick to accurate facts.

The Washington Post has more details.  While Corey is technically correct about the new low in crime, he fails to tell the entire story and he fails to mention the rise in violent crime.   This report can hardly be correlated to illegal immigration.  To do so is a stretch.

Prince William County Crime Reports

It Shouldn’t Come to This is AZ

MoonHowler

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva closed his offices in Yuma and Tucson at noon on Friday because of the threatening phone calls. The Congressman says he opposed the legislation that has just been signed into law by Governor Brewer. He specifically says he opposes making it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally.

The Arizona Daily Star reports that Grijalva spokesman Adam Sarvana released a statement Friday saying that the congressman’s office received “some pretty scary calls,” including one from a man “who threatened to go down there and blow everyone’s brains out then go to the border to shoot Mexicans.”

According to the Daily Star:

Grijalva staffer Ruben Reyes said the office has been flooded with calls all week about Senate Bill 1070. About 25 percent are “very racist” in nature, Reyes said, characterizing some as “telling that tortilla-eating wetback to go back to Mexico.”

Has it really come to this? PWC sure dodged the bullet if this is the case. Again, there are just other ways to handle problems. I saw people out throwing stuff, not sure what at cops on TV. People doing that might want to do a little reseach about Kent State….it really isn’t a smart thing to do. I love Arizona. I would not go there now. The Grand Canyon State will have to be grand without me.

 

Arizona Governor Signs Immigration Status Law

MoonHowler

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed a controversial law into effect today which requires police officers to inquire into a person’s immigration status.

According to MSNBC:

The legislation, sent to the Republican governor by the GOP-led Legislature, makes it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally. It also requires local police officers to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are illegal immigrants, allows lawsuits against government agencies that hinder enforcement of immigration laws, and make it illegal to hire illegal immigrants for day labor or knowingly transport them

.

President Obama has taken strong issue with the law which is the toughest immigration law in the United States.

How does this law seem to differ from the Resolution signed right here in Prince William County?

Is this the job for local police?

Long Island Immigrant Slayer Convicted of Hate Crime Man-Slaughter

MoonHowler


Ecuadorean immigrant, Marcelo Lucero

Long Island teen Jeffrey Conroy was convicted of man-slaughter as a racially motivated hate crime Monday. After 4 days of deliberations, Conroy was also found guilty of assault on 3 other hispanics. Marcelo Lucero, age 37 was killed by a gang of 6 whites and 1 hispanic. The defense rested on they didn’t intend to kill him. The trial has been fraught with irregularities. This trial has also been watched carefully by immigrants’ rights groups.

He was acquitted of the most serious of the 20 charges against him which was second-degree murder as a hate crime. Had he been convicted he could have received life in prison as a sentence. Conroy, 19, now faces a minimum of eight years and a maximum of 25 years in prison. He is to be sentenced on May 26.

Lucero died of stab wounds to his chest. I expect no one is satisfied with this verdict. 8 years doesn’t seem like a lot of time for stabbing someone in the chest until they are dead.

Jeff Conroy
Jeff Conroy

Political Asylum for Home-School Family from Germany

MoonHowler
Give me your tired, your poor...
"Give me your tired, yor poor...

Political asylum in the United states is usually granted when a person feels he or she may be persecuted or have a  well-founded fear of imminent  persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.  We think of political asylum being granted to avoid torture, imprisonment,  physical harm.  We do not, as Americans, think of giving political asylum to avoid going to private or public school. 

A Tennessee judge has granted asylum to a German couple and their children so the couple may home school their children.  German is one of the few European countries that enforces compulsory attendance in a recognized school.  According to Yahoo News:

 

The Romeikes are not your typical asylum seekers. They did not come to the U.S. to flee war or despotism in their native land. No, these music teachers left Germany because they didn’t like what their children were learning in public school – and because homeschooling is illegal there.

 “It’s our fundamental rightto decide how we want to teach our children,” says Uwe Romeike, an Evangelical Christian and a concert pianist who sold his treasured Steinway to help pay for the move.

 Romeike decided to uproot his family in 2008 after he and his wife had accrued about $10,000 in fines for homeschooling their three oldest children and police had turned up at their doorstep and escorted them to school. “My kids were crying, but nobody seemed to care,” Romeike says of the incident

 
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Manassas Gets First Look at “9500 Liberty” Tuesday Jan. 26

MoonHowler

Press release:

Manassas Gets First Look at “9500 Liberty”
Award-winning Documentary Recounts 2007-2008 Immigration Culture War

MANASSAS, VA — Jan. 22, 2010
Mid-way through a national tour that has netted two film festival awards and two city proclamations, “9500 Liberty” returns to the place where it began when George Mason University’s Verizon Auditorium hosts a Tuesday 6:30 PM screening on Jan. 26.

This is the first time the feature length documentary has screened in Manassas, home to several of the film’s primary figures, including Greg Letiecq, a blogger and political activist who helped engineer the passage the nation’s most aggressive local ordinance designed to “crack down” on illegal immigration, and Gaudencio Fernandez, a building contractor who protested the law by erecting a series of banners on his property near the Old Town Manassas train station. The film reveals in dramatic detail how and why the controversial “probable cause” mandate for immigration status checks was repealed in April, 2008 by the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010
6:30 PM
Verizon Auditorium, Occoquan Building
George Mason University, Prince William Campus
10900 University Boulevard
Manassas, VA 20110-2203
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Directors Eric Byler of Gainesville, VA and Annabel Park of Silver Spring, MD have traveled with the film to ten states in recent months, with a host of upcoming screenings that include Hampden-Sydney, VA, Ohio, Montana, and Nebraska. In February, “9500 Liberty” will be presented to Members of Congress at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Tuesday’s screening, presented with Spanish subtitles, is the opening night for the Immigration and Human Rights Cinema series, hosted by George Mason University and the local interfaith group Unity in the Community. It will be followed by a Q & A discussion with the filmmakers and representatives of the Prince William County Police Department, including a Spanish speaking Officer.

“9500 Liberty” won Best Documentary at the Charlotte Film Festival last September, and the Audience Award at the St. Louis International Film Festival in November. The Mayor of Austin, Texas and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors both issued proclamations commending the film prior to public screenings. The filmmakers expect to announce a cable television premiere and a DVD release date in coming weeks.

####

The Dominican Republic Seals Its Borders

MoonHowler

The Dominican Republic has closed its borders and stationed its military on all borders with Haiti.  Only medical emergencies are being allowed in to the Dominican Republic.  Most of the passes into the country are 4-8 hours from the impacted area in Haiti.  Because of destroyed infrastructure, the trip is now taking 10- 12 hours.

It was unclear about traffic going the other direction, from the Dominican Republic into Haiti as rescue crews begin to arrive.   There is no air traffic tower at the Port -au- Prince Airport in Haiti.  Landing is possible but crowded and risky.  The harbor is so damaged that ships cannot dock.  Looting has become rampant and buildings are simply too dangerous to enter.  There is a huge risk of disease.   Aid workers are camped at the airport.  The Red Cross office in Port-au-Prince has been destroyed. 

Should the Domincan Republic close its borders to earthquake victims and refugees?  Is this behavior un-humanitarian?  Can the Dominican Republic absorb that many people?  Ethical questions become more immediate in the wake of a national disaster.

UPDATE:  Audio of Washington Post reporter going to Port-au-Prince via the Dominican Republic: