“Hand over that piece of chicken and no one will get hurt.”
Monthly Archives: March 2007
I’m Leavin’ on a Jet Plane…
…Don’t know when I’ll be back again.
Actually, that’s not true. I’ll be back at the end of next week. It’s vacation time!
If you have keys to the casa, feel free to post, or not. Have a great rest of your March, I’m outta here for some long-term slacking.
But before I go, especially for TejasCubbie, key lime cheesecake:
¡Hasta tarde, mis amigos!
Monday Morning Headlines
Yes, I’m aware that it’s the afternoon in other parts of the country, but not in the mountain pacific time zone! So here’s what’s going on as I scan the headlines:
- The immigration marches are starting to roll in California with a common theme of denouncing the workplace raids: El pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles de Porciúncula y Santa Rosa.
- Tom Tancredo was stricken with another bout of verbal diarrhea recently. One notable dingleberry: “Bilingual countries don’t work well. Multicultural countries do not work well. When people come to the United States, they need to become Americans.”
- César Chávez would’ve turned 80 this coming Saturday, Arizona has several big events planned to commemorate and empower the Revolution.
- Grassroots Activists in Connecticut are fighting back against the growing nativist/vigilante movement in their state.
- Bipartisan support is growing for the so-called Touchback Provision of the latest immigration bill sponsored by Gutierrez and Flake. Are politicians that stupid to believe that those already living in the shadows will trust the U.S. government to let them back in after they report to their country of origin? (rhetorical, don’t answer).
- From Sunnyslope to Little Saigon to Little Oaxaca – the Valley of the Sun is slowly but surely returning to its mestizo roots.
That’s all for now, any other gems of info out there?
Yes, Virginia, it IS Sunday… tour!
I know, I know… who said I could call you Virginia, eh? Well, don’t be upset! I call everyone Virginia, from time to time… except actual people who are named Virginia mostly because… well… I don’t know any! Do you?
It does not matter what your name is, though, because this isn’t called the name tour! And peeking doesn’t involve looking at birth certificates (unless, of course, they are in a post) so there! On with our nameless, sort of, tour!
First up, Olivia has gone… well, no, what I mean to say is that Olivia has potted plants! These come in handy in the winter, when one’s backyard is just a tad monochrome. But still lovely! Just no match for tulips and daffydills.
Original James has tolling Donkle prose, from which I sense a bit of displeasure! Also, is the bottom falling out of suburbia? And, imagination… and just think if more people had one. (Jazzy James is still on hiatus… I believe he and original James are at that ‘separate vacations’ state of their relationship.)
Peace is still gone wild, especially at Janet’s place! You should start from the top and scroll down, to read about the “peace keepers” *cough* at the Portland protest…. AND, meet some of those who were actually protesting for peace.
[UPDATE!] ILJ thinks the weather is just right for Al Gore… to run for president! Don’t know if Gore agrees… also, an excellent and informative look back at the trailblazers in integrating baseball!
Nezua’s site is like Lay’s potato chips… it’s always difficult to pick just one. Or even just three! I mean, once one encounters a Bloggle of Wogglers, what then is a graceful segue to the poetry of Querida Primavera, Ella Regresa? Not to mention the “hey, wait a minute!”s of correcting faulty, deliberately or not, history – even if one does get to watch them cook the history books in real time! Can’t be done, without leaving out lots… too much good stuff there, so start at the top can scroll down!
[…]
[UPDATE AGAIN!] Whew! Good thoughts held fast for Family Man and family! Sigh of relief! However, the pesky weather keeps getting better(?) and the grass keeps growing and having to be mowed and soon out will come… the weedeater! If it’s not still out by the pond, with the snakes, that is.
I think this is my new favorite car. Of course, I could be persuaded that other old cars are my favorites but… this is the one that is here now, so it takes first place! And it’s coming along nicely too… soon will be ready to drive off the lot. And sometimes… commercialization is a good thing… how cool would it be to have your corner mailbox be R2-D2!? Lots more there besides… scroll down, scroll down!
Arcturus is highlighting the recent murder of a transgender woman and some of the dangers faced by transpersons daily… a good and informative read. Also, it wouldn’t be Arcuturus without some poetry… and I do love this title: “The Insurgents” – “belligerent naked Indy stalks“. And the wealthy looting from the poor – makes the world go round. Don’t miss that, and other things there!
Over at katiebird’s, catdog has an interesting idea… save the cheerleader, save the… oh wait, that was something else. No, no, they wonder if maybe by changing ourselves, we can change the world? Also, are you being firmed and committed daily? If not, hope over to eat4today and get started!
Whoa… deano’s site is a bit bun-ny today! And other things, but the picture is too small for me to tell what. This may be a good thing. Also, the mountains, the bottom of the ocean, the desert and possibly the Louvre, all in one rock! Or something. And, sling it like Pollock!
All done! Maybe. If I’ve forgotten anyone, let me know in comments – some haven’t updated, some have moved on and others have said NO PEEKING! gasp.
[UPDATED] Now Serving – Schadenfreude Sundae
I can’t help but smile. There’s a lot going on with the vigilantes this week. Their multi-faceted leadership spat is being battled out in the courts, along with some concrete action by law enforcement to ferret out the ways these nativist movements are fertile ground for hate crimes and human rights violations.
San Diego Police served the leader of the San Diego Minutemen, Jeff Schwilk, and another prominent member of the group with search warrants on Wednesday. The warrants were granted in connection with vandalism at a Rancho Penasquitos migrant camp. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has details.
Last January, six people sliced up migrant workers’ belongings in the camps. Police say the vandals cut up blankets, clothes and even workers’ shoes.
It’s important to understand the context of this investigation. The Minutemen are actually two separate groups that underwent a schism between founder Jim Gilchrist and prominent leader Chris Simcox. This formed the Minutemen Project and Minutemen Civil Defense Corps.
Now, here’s what Simcox has to say about the founder of the Binocular Brigade and the reason for the separation
(A)fter two weeks of the Project, Jim had created a situation where people were running around crazy at the Bible College. It was to be a campus where volunteers stayed while participating. It was one of three sites I had selected. The Bible College soon turned into an armed compound with snipers on the roof and a cult of Gilchrist followers who were violating the SOP (standard operating procedure) at every turn.
It was time to clean it up. I contacted the county sheriff’ department and the FBI, and decided to go in and take over management of the Bible College. The entire supervisory team backed me up and we removed Jim from authority, sent a bunch of people packing, and regained control of the Bible College.
Jim was … just lapping up the media, that’s all he cared about. He lost control, and control was taken away from him. We had no choice because the future of the movement was hanging in the balance.
All of this brouhaha was occurring in the wake of an unsuccessful bid for congress by Gilchrist. Simcox had some thoughts on that too:
I packed up my family and lived in OC for 42 days helping him right the ship of the campaign after it imploded. People were fired and quit. The campaign was in shambles, and I was asked to come in and help organize and right the ship.
I still had influence over Jim in that I know how to calm him and keep him focused. When I arrived at the campaign office, I realized he was too far gone and that (Stephen) Eichler and (Deborah Ann) Courtney had also figured out how he worked. They had him in the palm of their hands. They stroked him continuously with, “You are the greatest!” and “You are THE Jim Gilchrest!” They created a sense in him that he was a legend.
So, what’s this trial all about? I know you’ll be shocked, but it’s money.
Coe and two other directors of the Minuteman Project tossed founder Gilchrist out of his official post in a January mutiny and took control of the organization’s primary bank account. Gilchrist then sued the trio, saying they lacked the authority to take over.
On Wednesday, a Superior Court judge will consider Gilchrist’s argument that the group and its assets should be returned to him. But restoring the movement’s momentum is another issue altogether, as bickering over financial accountability has tarnished the effort’s public image.
“It’s more damaging than anything (opponents) could do,” Gilchrist said. “Not just for our organization, but for the movement across the nation. It’s not mortally damaging, but it’s going to be seriously damaging for a year or so.”
Allow me to a light a candle hoping so.
Now what about these search warrants? You may recall back in January, this incident was (marginally) reported. Of course, Indymedia was all over it
More than a half dozen migrant camps in the Rancho Penasquitos area have been vandalized in the past week, leaving many of the camps’ residents without clothing, blankets, or shelter.
In all cases, intruders entered the camps while the migrants were away and used knives or scissors to slash tents, tarps, and bicycle tires, slit open sleeping bags, and cut up blankets, shoes, and clothing. Many of the damaged items were new, some with the tags still attached (see accompanying video).
The camps’ residents who were interviewed asked not to be identified, but one said that even his pencils had been broken in half. He said he “just can’t fathom the hearts and minds of people who would do something like this.”
Eyewitness tips led to the search warrants being executed this week against the SD Minutemen leader Jeff Schwilk and one of their members, Christie Czajkowski.
To provide a cherry for the top of the schadenfreude sundae, those two are also battling it out in the courts.
After hearing testimony from Schwilk and Czajkowski and reviewing documents they submitted, Superior Court Judge Laura Parsky eliminated the temporary restraining order and declined to grant Schwilk a permanent restraining order against Czajkowski. Parsky ruled that Schwilk had failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that Czajkowski had committed unlawful violence, made a credible threat of violence, or engaged in a willful course of conduct that seriously alarmed, annoyed, or harassed Schwilk without a legitimate purpose for her actions.
The Feb. 4 incident that occurred at Schwilk’s home also is the basis for a new lawsuit that Czajkowski filed Wednesday against Schwilk.
Czajkowski alleges in the lawsuit that Schwilk “beat, struck, punched, dragged and battered” her, and she is seeking $700,000 in damages.
Schwilk said the lawsuit’s allegations are “lies and false statements.” Two others involved with the Minutemen were with Schwilk at the courthouse and said they witnessed the Feb. 4 incident —- Mari Hayden and a man named Daniel who declined to give his last name —- said Thursday that the actions alleged in the lawsuit did not occur.
Schwilk and Czajkowski also separately addressed Thursday the police investigation of vandalism at a Rancho Penasquitos migrant camps.
Need a spoon?
[UPDATE] Here, have some sprinkles too
A local Minuteman leader whose home was searched by San Diego police Wednesday has now been sued for defamation, along with an associate.
[snip]
The suit, which includes a Web posting and e-mails allegedly written by the defendants, says that Schwilk and Carney repeatedly referred to Yoon in e-mails and on the Web in vulgar terms.
Neither Schwilk nor Carney could be reached for comment yesterday.
In the lawsuit, one Web posting attributed to them shows a photo of Yoon surrounded by day laborers, with the text insinuating that she is a prostitute: “She really is popular or very inexpensive. (Hey Joe . . . Five Dolla-Five Dolla),” the text reads.
Yoon is Korean-American.
Jewish-Muslim Peace Walk This Sunday
If you’re free, this will be happening in downtown Tucson. It will be a great show of solidarity along with presentations on the history of both religious traditions here in southern Arizona.
Sunday afternoon’s fourth annual Jewish-Muslim Peace Walk for the first time will begin at a Downtown locale — the Historic Stone Avenue Temple, 564 S. Stone Ave. — and proceed north for 2 1/2 miles, ending at the Islamic Center of Tucson, 901 E. First St.At least 200 walkers are expected. Organizers say they’ll stick to sidewalks, and no street closures will be required.Though the walk itself isn’t scheduled to begin until 3:30 p.m., festivities start at the Stone Avenue Temple at 1:30, with a talk about Jewish history in Tucson, as well as henna painting, crafts, games, puppets and food.
Fighting Back Against the Human Round-Ups
Activists are speaking out against the Human Hunting Season that is underway across this country. In California, they are also getting something desperately needed – media coverage.
From Mendota, CA:
Asking other cities in the San Joaquin Valley to follow their lead, members of the City Council unanimously endorsed a resolution condemning recent immigration raids that resulted in the arrests of 200 residents.
Federal immigration agents swept through Mendota, which has a population of 8,775, last month. The council’s resolution asks immigration officials to stop deportations of undocumented workers because such sweeps “are extremely detrimental to an already economically depressed community.”
While their resolution has no jurisdiction over the federal agents conducting the raids, it is a strong signal for the local authorities to send to their residents. We already know that families are being separated and concentration camps are being filled by this government. It sends an unspeakable chill throughout the neighborhoods and communities that suddenly find themselves less populated overnight.
Look at what happened in Texas after the Virgen De Guadalupe Meatpacking Roundups:
The streets of this small, isolated city in the Texas Panhandle are virtually empty nowadays, and “For Rent” signs decorate dilapidated trailers and shabby 1940s-era military barracks that just weeks ago were full of tenants.
Sales of tortillas and other staples are down. Money wire transactions to Central America have mostly dried up. The “Guatemalas,” as local residents call them, are almost all gone, and so are a significant number of Mexican nationals.
An estimated 12 to 18 children are now living with only one parent because the other was arrested in a massive immigration raid at the biggest employer in town.
Did everyone in the town get put in prison? Unlikely. Those ‘Left Behind’ merely moved elsewhere, further into the shadows of society. This inhumane cycle will continue unimpeded until more city councils and local activist groups send a strong message that it must be stopped.
The youth understand this, and are organizing as you read this via MySpace. As of the writing of this post, there are 5018 friends of this particular MySpacer.
On Friday March 30, we close our schools and march to honor California’s César Chávez Holiday. A year ago, we closed our schools and marched to defeat an unjust law, HR4437. This year, we close our schools and march to enforce the spirit and letter of a just law declaring César Chávez birthday a school holiday in California.
When we take to the streets on Friday, March 30th, we will reassert the power of the new civil rights movement we are building and give living expression to the heartfelt pride and dignity of the Latina(o) communities. A year after the struggle to defend immigrant rights gave rise to the biggest and potentially most powerful civil rights movement in more than 100 years, it is up to us to keep the movement alive and to provide the leadership needed to increase the power of our movement.
On Saturday, March 31, and Sunday, April 1, the weekend following our statewide Chávez day actions, the young leaders who have been organizing our mass actions will come together in Los Angeles for a conference. The conference sponsored by BAMN is being organized to develop, consolidate, and build the collective leadership of our new civil rights movement. The movement’s ability to become stronger and bolder relies on our building a more politically conscious and accountable leadership. The conference of the new civil rights movement will give the young leaders of the movement an opportunity to discuss and draw out the lessons we have learned from the struggles we have led so that we can chart a course for our future.
Don’t be caught by surprise this year. Find out if any local groups are planning solidarity events next Friday, March 30th. If there is nothing, well maybe it’s the time to roll up your sleeves and become an Accidental Activist and create one. I’ll be in Portland, OR that day and will see what I can do to join mis herman@s to fight for justice.
The Arizona César Chávez Holiday Coalition is sponsoring several events featuring one of our strongest advocates – Dolores Huerta. There will be a movie screening on Friday evening and the annual Marcha at 9:00am on Saturday, March 31st beginning at Pueblo High School in Tucson. Click here for more information.
Time to step it up a notch.
Crossposted at My Left Wing
Apple Cheesecake Open Thread
What’s up with the crickets around here?
Did I forget to wear deodorant again?
Anywho, hope you’re all having a good week so far
LatinoPolítico.com 