May The Force Be With You!!
Spotted via Paradise’s Facebook page.
A seemingly endless flow of 65,000 passionate and peaceful marchers filled National Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin yesterday, chanting “Obama, escucha, estamos en la lucha!” (Obama, listen, we are in the struggle!) and “El pueblo callado será deportado” (A community that’s silent will be deported).
The Wisconsin Statewide May Day March for immigration reform and workers’ rights is one of over 80 May 1 actions across the country, standing up against Arizona’s increasingly hostile policies toward immigrants which also threaten the civil rights of all its residents.
“In the same way the Wisconsin Congressman Sensenbrenner’s bill HR 4437 ignited the immigrant rights movement in 2006; so today has passage of Arizona SB 1070 awakened the nation and opened a new chapter in the civil rights struggle of this country,” said Christine-Neumann Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera.
Featured speaker Rafael Reyes, an Arizona resident and member of the National Day Labor Organizing Network, gave testimony to the current situation in Arizona after the devastating passage of SB 1070. “There is a presence of fear in Arizona, but also a presence of strength and beauty in the young people and elders who are protesting, holding vigils, fasting, and calling for SB 1070 to be defeated.”
The marchers pledged to support the Resolution that will be introduced by Alderman Witkowiak this Monday, calling for participation in the economic boycott of Arizona; and plan for a Milwaukee protest outside the Diamondbacks game at Miller Park in August.
Before the march, a suspicious dumpster fire billowed smoke onto the crowd as they assembled around noon, but the marchers were not deterred by what appeared to be an attempt at intimidation. Coordinators of the march and local law enforcement quickly contained the situation, and the march proceeded, even more determined to share its crucial message of dignity in the face of injustice.
So I just spotted this article at TheGrio.com (via Paradise Gray’s Facebook page) claiming that African American Arizonans are on the fence about the recent changes in the state’s immigration policy. While the author, Todd Johnson, highlights that many leaders in the local civil rights community are supporting the pro-immigration movement, he argues that many black folks aren’t as excited about standing up for immigrants as you would think, especially given that the new law legalizes racial profiling.
To be honest, I always get a little freaked out when I read stories that boil down “the black opinion” to a couple of one liners from thought leaders in the African American community. But I have to be honest, I’ve personally heard many black people say things like “if the Mexicans get kicked out there will be more jobs for black people” etc. So I am willing to bet that Johnson isn’t too far off with his assessment.
But I would encourage black “fencers” to think more critically about this racist effort by Arizona. This law creates the slipperiest of slopes and could potentially threaten all of our freedom. Come on, do you really think they are only going to stop Latino looking people when there are illegal immigrants of every shade and background in this country? If you think “Driving While Black” is bad now, wait a couple of months when this thing really kicks in.
And I don’t even have enough time to discuss the whole “states’ right” argument that has slipped back in to the discourse lately. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start hearing extremist talking about secession.
Grabbed this from the NYTimes:
“PHOENIX — Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona signed the toughest illegal immigration law in the country on Friday, aimed at identifying, prosecuting and deporting illegal immigrants. The governor’s move unleashed immediate protests and reignited the divisive battle over immigration reform nationally.”
This move drew a line in the sand and prompted some harsh criticism of Governor Brewer, including a statement from President Obama:
“The recent efforts in Arizona…threatened to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe.”
What do yall think?
I’m starting to realize that some of my favorite songs have really boring and goofy subject matter. Take, for instance, Boys of Summer by Don Henley. Catchy ass song, no real meaning. Let’s face it, it’s making me feel guilty.
As a result, I’ve been getting amped up when I hear about music that confronts the real issues in our lives today. Check out this post, which came over the lines at Wiretap:
![#NewMusic: Phil Ade “PhilAdeFriday2″ [MIXTAPE]](http://99problems.org/wp-content/plugins/simple-post-thumbnails/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/thumbnails/20645.png&w=300&h=100&zc=1&ft=jpg)