New Online Campaign to Stop Obama's War on Immigrants: Basta287g is Coming Soon

A new campaign for immigration and racial justice is on the making. A group of online activists will join efforts to demand the Obama administration to stop its abuses and state oppression programs, against immigrant communities in the United States.

Immigrants in a private detention center
Photo by Human Rights Watch

Filmmaker, producer and journalist Ian Inaba of Citizen Engagement Lab (Presente.org and BastaDobbs.com) reveals plans for a future campaign titled "Basta 287g" which will try to stop the anti-immigrant repression programs run by the Obama administration through its Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Basta287g will be a partnership between Presente, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network NDLON, and the Trail of Dreams.

This campaign will allow petitioners to ask Presidente Barack Obama and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to stop the implementation of programs 287g and Secure Communities, which have been labeled as racists and abusive by human rights and immigrant advocate groups.

The mentioned DHS programs are causing racial profiling, human rights violations, police and prison abuses, and -especially- unnecessary mass incarcerations which benefits the private prison industry, while destroying thousands of American families.

Since Barack Obama took office, the number of incarcerations and deportations of undocumented immigrants have increased tremendously. This is a trend that is being called "impractical, expensive and ineffective"by a report of the Center for American Progress.



Ian Inaba is a director, filmmaker, producer, new media specialist and journalist. A former investment banker and Silicon Valley executive, he graduated from the School of Engineering and Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

He is the co-Executive Director of Citizen Engagement Lab, a new media company that is behind the successful campaigns including the ousting of Lou Dobbs from CNN.

Inaba is member of Guerrilla News Network (GNN.tv). Among his productions are the film documentary "American Blackout", Eminem's "Mosh". Also, Inaba has co-founded VideoTheVote.org, a network of citizen journalists monitoring election irregularities in the U.S.

Stay tuned.

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Children of Undocumented Parents: They are US Citizens but Their Parents are Being Deported [VIDEO]

What kind of nation destroys its own families? Why undocumented parents and workers in the United States are being imprisoned instead of given a chance to legalize their immigration status? This video has some answers.

There was a rally yesterday in front of the White House for the Children of Deported Parents, which was organized by Casa De Maryland. During this solidarity action, about 500 activists along with parents and their children demanded the Obama administration to stop criminalizing our immigrant communities.

There I met several children whose parents are undocumented in the U.S.

Among these kids, there was a high school student and U.S. citizen who is willing to fight for this country by enrolling in the military, even when his parents are undocumented and are living in fear. "I am an American, I love this country and I want to support undocumented immigrants."

Listen to these amazing stories -- and please forward this video to the White House if you can. I hope president Obama will listen to his constituents, some of whom elected him!

In case you weren't aware. The Obama administration continues criminalizing undocumented immigrants, instead of reforming the current obsolete U.S. Immigration legislation. In 2009, over 400,000 workers were imprisoned and deported.

Currently, the Department of Homeland Security is spreading and implementing two anti-immigrant and racist programs: 287g and Secure Communities, which in some way promote the same racism and xenophobia as Arizona's SB-1070.

Remember, that most of the children whose parents are being deported by the Obama administration will be able to vote soon. That 50,000 Latinos become eligible to vote every month. That families are the backbone of every society, and if we destroy our families we are setting the path for the collapse of this nation.

Finally, remember that most children who grow up without parents tend to be a burden for societies, instead of leaders and productive citizens. These kids deserve to grow with their parents, a chance to reach their American Dream.

These kids will elect the U.S. president soon

Here are more photos of the rally yesterday. Feel free to use them.

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Arizona Organizes Against SB1070 - Even After Judge Partially Blocked Racist Law [VIDEOS]

Arizona is getting deeply immerse into a conflict of social and economic consequences.

Two opposite sides of the immigration reform debate, are clashing in more than one way.

Less than 24 hours before the date for the implementation of the racist anti-immigrant law SB-1070 in Arizona, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton (appointed by the Clinton administration) has blocked important parts of such controversial legislation.

Few weeks ago, I interviewed two young leaders of Arizona, who work with the community organization Puente Arizona, and they said that most Latinos, Indigenous and immigrants are not leaving the state as the media is saying, but they are organizing to protect their families and communities.

People in Arizona and across the U.S. are already organizing protests, solidarity actions and ways to respond the potential implementation of SB-1070. Tomorrow July 29th, there will be a national day of protest and solidarity with the people of Arizona. Rallies in DC, NYC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and other cities across the U.S. are planned.

Meanwhile, community organizations and churches are preparing to open spaces of refuge and sanctuaries for those seeking a safe place to hide or live temporally.

What is happening in Arizona could be a sign of what is coming for the rest of the U.S. since the Obama administration continues to implement its anti-immigrant programs 287g and Secure Communities, which are directing billions of dollars the private prison corporations.

The struggle for justice in Arizona is not about Brown people only, it's a collective effort of all peoples. I have friends who are in the ground right now and they will report on what happens tomorrow. The fight is on.

Is this xenophobic war going to make the U.S. any safer? How does the mass incarceration and deportation of millions of undocumented workers and their families will benefit the people of the United States?

Call to Action for Human Rights!
Stop SB1070! Stop 287g! Stop Arpaio!

DO NOT WORK • DO NOT BUY • DO NOT COMPLY

With or Without SB 1070 Injunction, The Human Rights Crisis in Arizona Continues! We are asking the state of Arizona and everyone who is against SB 1070 to take action against this law and not comply. Lets show the state of Arizona how many of us are against this bill. Do not go to work, call in! Do not buy anything, save your grocery shopping for another day! Do not comply, do not carry any identification! We will not comply and accept this racist law!

Please spread the word, tell your friends and family. On July 29th, todos somos Arizona and we will resist!

EVENT CALENDAR:

Wednesday, July 28th:
• 5-7PM - Open Non-Violent Direct Action/CD Training Carl Hayden- Part I and Part II (3216 W Van Buren St.)

• 7:30- 9PM - Orientation to July 29th for Puente members, the Phoenix community, and out of town activists joining to take action for human rights at Tonatierra (802 N. 7th St.)

• 7-9PM - “Policing the Police/Raid Response” Training at the Quaker
Meeting House (1702 Glendale Ave. just west of the 51 freeway)

THURSDAY, July 29th:
• 9AM - Rally at the Wells Fargo building (1st Ave. and Washington)

• 4PM - Rally at the 4th Ave. jail (4th ave. and Madison)

For more information email us at: info.puenteaz@gmail.com

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DREAM Act Silent Protest at Netroots Nation 2010: Harry Reid Ignored Undocumented Students [again] VIDEO

A group of undocumented students held a symbolic and silent protest in front of the Netroots Nation stage, when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) was speaking about Immigration Reform, during the last day of the progressive conference held in Las Vegas.

Senator Harry Reid didn't acknowledge the students protesting, not even mentioned them. This was taken as "one of many signs that shows how [Reid] has approached Immigration Reform" said one of the students. The protest was well received by the attendees.

US Army Lt. Dan Choi protested DADT by giving his West Point ring to Reid and he congratulated the Dreamers by saying "We might not have documents, but we still have our dreams".

Fake ICE Checkpoint at Netroots Nation 2010: Only White People Asked for IDs and Some Progressives got Offended [VIDEOS] Organizers Respond

ICE checkpoint. Photo by Getty Images

How would you feel if you were asked for an "official identification" just because of the way you look, your ethnic or racial heritage, or the color of your skin? This happens in the United States in a daily basis among communities of color.

A group of ten or more Immigration Reform activists set up a fake Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) checkpoint during a panel at the progressive conference Netroots Nation 2010, in Las Vegas. They dressed up as ICE agents and purposely asked for I.D.s only to White people, or anyone who looked of European heritage.

Racial profiling is a common practice among ICE agents, targeting mostly Brown people, Indigenous and Latinos mostly. This also will be promoted if Arizona's law SB-1070 gets implemented by July 29th, this year.

According to the organizers, their goal was to call the attention of progressives on how is like to be racially discriminated, in a real life situation. But then some people got offended, some complained and even asked for an apology from Netroots Nation.

About 500 people were asked for IDs during this action. This is what happened, courtesy of SumofChange:

The organizers speak. I had the chance to interview two of the activists who participated in this action. Here are Lizbeth Mateo and Yahaira Carrillo of TheDreamisComing.com who explain their reasons behind this "political theater" action:

Additionally, I asked activist Will Colley, one of the organizers of this protest about his take on the negative reactions of some "progressive" attendees at Netroots Nation. Coley, is an openly gay man working for Immigration Reform for many years now.

"If our action offended someone and resulted in 30 seconds of frustration, that was the point. As Americans, we should all be offended by actual laws like Arizona's SB 1070 that harass and profile communities 24 hours a day. It wasn't about preventing them from getting their lunch. Profiling and injustice is what we wanted folks to think about."

As you know this blogger is a brown-skinned immigrant. I know what is like to be racially profiled in this country, harassed and second guessed. For instance, here in Netroots Nation I have been stopped a couple of times when not wearing the NN2010 badge, at times when other folks weren't even questioned for the same reason.

So I would like to ask those folks who got offended yesterday at Netroots Nation, to think about what their lives would be like, if they had to go through what our communities face every day. Not only think about it, act about it.

By the way check this powerful website where you can get involved on stopping ICE from its racist actions.

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Ed Schultz: Conservatives Don't Want Immigration Reform Because They Like Cheap Labor [VIDEO]

"Conservatives don't support Immigration Reform because they like cheap labor, and also there is racism behind the anti immigrant movement. " MSNBC's commentator and host Ed Schultz gave a energetic speech at the NN10 opening ceremony in Las Vegas. After he finished his speech, I asked Schultz what is his take on Immigration Reform:

Read a blog post about tonight's speech by Ed Schultz. I'm in Las Vegas, participating in my second Netroots Nation conference, and this is the first video of a series I'm recording here.

So far I can tell this is a much better experience than last year's conference in Pittsburgh. I am seeing familiar faces and also meeting people that I had met online before. The panels are very well presented. I will post a list of events that I attended and my comments on them, including photos and videos. .

Undocumented American Students: Their Dream is Coming Soon and YOU can help!

Over 400 undocumented students have come to Washington, DC, from all across the United States, for a 3-day program of actions in order to ask the Senate to pass the DREAM Act, which will give them a chance to legalize their immigration status in the only country they know as home.

The mighty Dreamers

Today these young leaders held a symbolic graduation ceremony at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Capitol Hill. They were joined by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and immigration advocate leaders, parents and supporters. Afterward, they rallied the streets around the Capitol building with signs demanding "education and not deportation".


This is a brief post with short videos and photos that I recorded during today's inspiring actions of the "Dreamers" as these young activists like to call themselves. These students are lobbying today and tomorrow at the U.S. Senate offices so that the DREAM Act bill to be introduced for vote, before the Congressional Summer recession.

You can help, check the info at the end of this post.


They rallied for a Dream

Every step I took, it felt like I was about to pass out. I could feel the heat on top of my head, my heart was beating so hard and I could feel its beat every time I had to breathe that humid, hot air. I had to stop walking aside with the Dreamers, a group of young undocumented Americans who rallied today around the Congress building to demand a piece of paper that will change their lives forever.

To my right side I could see the Capitol, that huge building that represents so many contradictions in the United State history. Both a testimony of a past of slavery and oppression, it's also the space where are laying the ideals of those who dreamed of a great country, a nation of equality for all men and women.

To my left, hundreds of young Americans were chanting with such strength that I could hear them from far away. At first, I wondered where they got all that energy from but then I remember their words at their symbolic graduation ceremony early on.

I couldn’t do it any longer, my body had given up, the heat of this horrendous summer in D.C. had put a limit to my resistance. At that moment, I thought about those who had to cross the border to get into this country, how brave the parents of those kids screaming “We are the Dreamers!”

Soon I walked into the Capitol Visitor Center to rest and drink some water, and once inside I sat on a bench away from the crowds. I closed my eyes. In my mind I started seeing the faces of the young leaders marching today, I saw their sorrow, their pain, their hope, their thirst for justice. Their struggle is the same of millions, their fight is our fight.

Most of these students are undocumented, some are not even adults. They have come driving buses from distant places, as far as California, Texas, Oregon, Oklahoma and North Carolina, some from New York, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts. And I have met many of them. It felt like this was a family reunion, they all are bound by something very strong.

Getting ready to rally

Today, I have met the U.S. Army soldier who has just returned from Iraq, he is here in DC with his undocumented soon-to-be wife, who is fighting for the future of her friends who unlike her, don’t have any choice to legalize their immigration status. This Chicano soldier will be deployed again to Iraq soon.

I met students who can hardly speak Spanish, and they feel [and seem] they are as "Americans" as the Congress members who they hope will vote for the Dream Act. Some of these kids crossed the U.S.-Mexico border as little toddlers, in their parents arms. They don’t regret the sacrifice, they love this nation.

There was this African American young man who is also supporting her wife who used to be an undocumented student, but now she is an organizer in New York for a Dream Act advocacy organization. And the Peruvian-born student who held a 15-day hunger strike in North Carolina, and had to be taken to an Emergency room of a local hospital.

Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) was one of today's speakers at the symbolic graduation ceremony of hundreds of undocumented students in Washington, DC.

The Dream Act students are covering their own expenses with their savings and the solidarity of friends, relatives, organizations and churches. They are sleeping in crowded rooms in homes and churches around DC, because no one can afford a hotel room. They are eating donated food, facing harsh conditions.

But they don’t seem to care. They are strong and decided to fight for their rights and those like them living in the shadows, for the only chance they have to officially become part of this country.

Their fear is gone, there is nothing that can stop them now. Not even the hot temperatures inside of that Capitol Hill church mattered. They “graduated” today in front of a U.S. Senator and immigration advocacy leaders. Amazing speeches were given, these students are so motivated and inspired!

See, the Dream Act students are not just regular people. These are true revolutionaries, leaders and builders. They are setting a path that many will follow. Most of them are undocumented, some have being in prison before for that reason already. Today they walked in the streets of Washington, DC, demanding for a chance to improve their lives, for a document that would prove what they already known: that they are the future of the United States.

Not sure if I fell asleep or I fainted. I was awakened by a U.S. Capitol police officer who was rather rude and sarcastic, but I didn’t care this time. I stood up and cleaned tears and sweat. When I walked to the nearest Metro station, I was happy because I had just witnessed a beautiful act of solidarity and unity, one of many actions of a growing social movement that will define the future of many communities across the United States.

I couldn't finish the rally along the Dreamers, but I saw and heard them chanting in front of the Cannon building, where the 100 Senators have their offices. That sight was precious.

This dream is coming through. These young Americans deserve it.

All photos and videos by Carlos A. Quiroz

Take Action

So far, the DREAM Act bill has 40 Senators as co-sponsor, and 10 to 15 Senators have promised to vote for the bill if it's introduced as a stand alone legislation.

Please call Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) offices and express your support for the DREAM Act bill, so it can be introduced for vote before the Summer recession: 202 224-3542.

Also contact your Senator office and ask them to support the DREAM Act.

This is a very narrow chance to act, let's help these guys now!

Program for Wednesday July 21th:

11AM-1PM Press Conference: West front of the Capitol building, in front of the Reflecting Pool near 1st Street NW.

1:00PM-5PM Lobby Day in Capitol Hill.

DREAM Act student activist detained by ICE

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Jesus is Undocumented: DREAM Act Youth Mobilization in Washington DC [VIDEO]

Jesus in undocumented. Even if the United States is the only country he knows as home, he is not a U.S. citizen, he can't study at college or work legally, he can't vote, he is a second class citizen in this country.
Jesus was brought to the U.S. from Mexico at age 4, by his parents who hoped that here their son would find a better future. When he was in high school, Jesus was selected to participate in a trip for the Water Polo Junior Olympics, but then his parents told him he couldn't leave the country.

What Jesus wants now, is not only a chance to legalize his status, but he wants to work for his community. "This is not just about me, but the younger generations."

There are about 2 millions of undocumented students like Jesus all over the U.S. and they aren't waiting for the U.S. Congress. They are taking action with a true social movement of civil disobedience. This week, they are coming to Capitol Hill:

Dream Act youth come to DC
Mass Mobilization
Three days of action on Capitol Hill. July 19th-21th, 2010

From the Dream Act Info forum:

The time to mobilize and demand the dream act is now. We have a short window of opportunity to pass the Dream Act in congress. Over the course of the last two years we have been successful in building up our collective base and now more than ever, we need to show our collective power as immigrant youth.

We have been able to accomplish many things including securing 40 co sponsors in the Senate and develop Dream Teams in places that have never had a base before. All of this work, all of the petition signatures you gathered and sent in are now bearing fruit.

All of the rallies you attended to meet new people, all of the lobby visits and relationships you built are now critical for passage of the Dream Act. Make your work count now!

Join us for a mass mobilization for the DREAM Act on Capitol Hill from July 19-21st

Dont know how to get started? Follow the steps below to get started

Individuals:
If you are an individual:

• talk to friends and family and get them to come to D.C. with you.
• Check out the Dream Map to see if there any youth projects near your area and contact them to see if you they will be mobilizing to DC

Youth Groups
If you are working in a group try to organize a caravan to D.C. There are several being planned across the country. Register on our website and we can follow up with you by connecting you to a group near you.

Organization
If you are a part of an organization try to organize a bus delegation to D.C! Register your organization on our registration form and we will follow up with more information and logistics.

Registration here

Watch CNN's video about this Dream Act mobilization.

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Makiykumanta Festival at Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian: Peruvian Indigenous heritage - VIDEOS

If you visit this week the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, you will find its Potomac atrium filled with the vibrant energy of an Andean market, and the creative work of Indigenous people of Peru.


Colorful art objects, amazing paintings and textiles, uniquely created ceramics and jewelry, beautiful children toys, are set on dozens of tables, while in the center of the atrium live performances of both tranquil and happy sounds of Peruvian dances, and the smiling faces of dozens of Indigenous artists from Peru, will make you feel as if you were at an old square of Cusco, Ayacucho, Huancayo or Arequipa.

This is a true celebration of the thousands-years-old Native American heritage of Peru, and the contributions of African, European, Asian and Arab immigrants, which make Peru a country of unique fusions and cultures.




The Makiykumanta Festival includes not only the amazing (and affordable) art fair, but also music and dance performances, films, workshops and more. Makiykumanta (is Quechua for "from our hands") is a unique opportunity that brings to the NMAI the amazing works of dozens of Indigenous artists.

These artists have come all the way from different regions of Peru to Washington, D.C. Remember that most of them work directly in their communities, so this is a great chance to support the people of Peru.

Makiykumanta started yesterday and it runs until Sunday July 18th, it's free and open to the public. See links at the end of this post.

All photos and videos by Carlos A. Quiroz

Peruvian reunion


Makiykumanta is also like a family reunion for the people of Peru, making possible for indigenous Peruvian artists, dancers and musicians to meet with friends of Peru, and U.S.-born Peruvian Americans artists, volunteers and visitors.

We Peruvians, although we are separated by geography and some ways of living, but we are united by our mother land the pachamama, the Abya Yala, the Americas. We are related to each other, because we are family. We are Indigenous, and this week we are celebrating our heritage at the NMAI.

The Makiykumanta Festival is organized by the NMAI with the support of the Embassy of Peru.

About this, read my thoughts on the double standards of the Peruvian government and its attacks on our Indigenous peoples.

Here are some VIDEOS I recorded yesterday:

This first video is a summary of my experience yesterday morning, during the first part of the inaugural program.



Huaylash, Waylars or Huaylarsh is a dance of the central Andes of Peru, of the indigenous Wanka peoples. It represents the pursuit of love and a mockery the machismo of the Andean men. At the end I interviewed a couple of Peruvian immigrants who were crying as they remembered their marriage 50 years ago in Peru.



Quechua woman weaving Alpaca wool dyed naturally.
Virgins of the Sun is a contemporary adaptation of a Huayno dance of the Quechua people of Peru, it was composed by Jorge Bravo Rueda in the XX century.



Marinera is a variation of the Zamacueca dance, which was created by the Muchik indigenous peoples and African descendants in the northern coast of Peru. It celebrates romance and love relationships.



Supaypa Wasin Tusuq is the Dance of Scissors (or Danza de Tijeras) from the Ayacucho region of the Andes of Peru, It represents duality in life, and the continuous struggle between good and bad, right and wrong, freedom and slavery.

Photos:

MAKIYKUMANTA
PERU– Arts and Cultural Legacy

Tuesday, July 13 - Sunday, July 18, 2010
10am-5:30pm

Potomac Atrium
National Museum of the American Indian
Metro: L'Efant Plaza, Federal Center SW

Makiykumanta website
Facebook
Twitter

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Barack Obama is Not a Friend of Immigrants "The Obama Illusion is Dying Quickly" says Roberto Lovato

A true friend never lies about something that will affect your life forever. A true friend never incarcerates your people for profits. Barack Obama is one of the worst presidents in U.S. history for immigrants, he is not our friend.

Activist, writer, commentator and Presente.org co-founder Roberto Lovato says that Barack Obama is not a friend of immigrants. "The Barack Obama illusion is dying quickly, he represents big corporate capitalism, and our job is that he fails" said Lovato during an interview I recorded recently.

Personally, I could not agree more. What do you think?

Worldwide immigration crisis

Roberto Lovato talks about the increasing immigration crisis around the world, he says that Arizona's SB-1070 and the Obama militarization of the U.S.- Mexico border are a sign of what is coming now to the world, as states are failing and poor people are migrating. This will likely increase with global warming, say Lovato.

Also in this video, Roberto Lovato talks about Indigenous peoples rights and what is being Latino in the United States.

Roberto Lovato is a New York-based writer and commentator with New America Media, a founding member of Presente.org, and a frequent contributor to The Nation Magazine and The Huffington Post. He has also written for the Los Angeles Times, Salon, Der Spiegel, Utne Magazine, La Opinion, and other national and international media outlets including New York Times, the Washington Post and Le Monde.

Lovato was a pivotal figure in the ousting of Lou Dobbs from CNN, and he has been a commentator in TV news shows on Univision, CNN, PBS and others. Also he has produced programming for NPR, Pacifica and Univision Television Network. Lovato is the former Executive Director of CARECEN, once the largest immigrant rights organization in the U.S.

Roberto Lovato has a blog, a Facebook page, and you can follow him on Twitter at @robvato.

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Housing Crisis: DC Residents “Take Back” Parcel 42 and Install Tent City in Shaw Neighborhood [VIDEO]

Housing crisis in Washington, DC. Last Saturday July 10, 2010 around 4:00 PM a group of DC advocates for affordable housing, held an action of civil disobedience by taking back a public-owned parcel of land.

The protesters are planning to stay at the empty lot for the rest of this week, or until the D.C. Police force them out. They demand D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and D.C. Council members to meet them and open a dialogue for a solution to the city's housing crisis.

Photo by ONE DC

“We want Mayor Fenty and the DC Council to realize what the people need, no what the developers need. I guarantee, you will see more than 200 homeless people if you walk from here [Shaw] to the White House. This is the nation capital and it’s supposed to be an example for the rest of the United States”

This protest is organized by the non-profits Organizing Neighborhood Equity (ONE DC) and the Take Over the Land coalition, with the support of Washington Peace Center, and Jobs With Justice, along with many DC residents.

This protest is an emergency action, after years of unsuccessful demands to DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and Council members to create more affordable housing in Washington, DC, and to reduce the media income regulations in the city.

In 2006, ONE DC demanded Mayor Fenty for more affordable housing for DC residents, specifically at the public owned lot “Parcel 42” located at the intersection of 7th St NW and R St NW, in the Shaw neighborhood. “There hasn’t any affordable housing been built in the Shaw neighborhood in the for last 50 years, and residents said we don’t want more condos here,” said Andrew Willis, a member of ONE DC.

View Larger Map

Currently in the Shaw neighborhood, the media income is set at $103K per year, “but is that not realistic”, said Franklin Brooks a community organizer for ONE DC. “People in the community make less than $35K a year, and there are more than 50,000 people in waiting list for the voucher program [Section 8] for subsidizing income.”

In November 2007, ONE DC posted this announcement in its website:

After five years of campaigning for a new, permanently affordable housing, ONE DC members won a huge victory this week with Mayor Adrian Fenty’s announcement that their preferred development plan for the site was also the administration’s choice.

As a result, the only housing developer willing to take leadership from ONE DC members on the project will build 110 apartments affordable to families making less than $50,000 and less than $25,000 a year, in addition to other amenities requested by residents.

But that was another unfulfilled promise and Parcel 42 remained empty until last weekend, when DC residents took it back.

"Fenty doesn't care"

“We want equality in our neighborhoods, we don’t want gentrification,” said Brooks. “It’s not what people don’t work hard enough [to make a living], is that some people are born with more opportunities to go to college and get better jobs, but we don’t have that because we come from low and moderate income families.”

Mayor Fenty hasn’t contacted the protesters “he really doesn’t care” said Brooks, neither Mayoral candidate Vincent Gray or any of the Council members have made any efforts to contact the protesters, at least until this post was published.

“We are asking the city to take another look to the housing media income, our hope is to bring the attention of the fact that affordable housing in DC is almost non-existent” added Brown.

“Housing in DC is in the hands of developers, they come from all over the country and the world, they are building fancy condos while 30,000 to 60,000 homeless people are in the streets of the city." protested Brooks adding that "People who are under subsidized housing are not criminals, we are people that care and contribute to the city.”

“We want Mayor Fenty and the DC Council to realize what the people need, no what the developers need. We had to fight to get this [Shaw] library for a couple years to get it done, they are opening new businesses while our poor is suffering, our disfranchising are suffering,”

Photo by ONE DC

Read more and get involved

Check out the websites of the Take Back the Land Coalition , ONE DC, and stay updated on more actions and how you can support this protest at the Parcel 42 Tent City blog.

Even better, read and endorse this iPetition, seriously take a look.

Also, see report of ABC Channel 8 News and follow updates on Twitter at @TentCity and @TakeBackTheLand

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Message to Latinos of Indigenous Heritage: Amy R. Juan of the Tohono O’odham Nation [VIDEO]

Photo Indian College Journal

Latinos of Indigenous heritage need to embrace our roots, says Amy R. Juan a young leader of the Tohono O’odham Nation, an Indigenous community divided by the U.S.-Mexico border.

In this interview Amy Juan talks about immigration, Mexican people, the anti immigrant law SB-1070 in Arizona. Amy has a message to Latinos of Indigenous heritage, and for U.S. citizens who believe that police and military repression is the only answer to the current immigration crisis:

In the last five centuries, the O’odham indigenous people have been invaded by Hispanics, Anglos, the government of Mexico and now the United States. Currently the O'odham are divided into 4 bands or groups, one of them is the Tohono O’odham reservation located in the border of Arizona and Mexico:

Map by Wikipedia / Answers

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We All Are Arizona Festival for Justice & Solidarity in DC this Weekend: Saturday July 10th at Malcolm X Park

"When the life in our communities is threaten by injustice and persecution, popular culture becomes a tool for resistance and liberation."

Note from the organizers: due to weather, this event was canceled yesterday but there will be another date to be announced after the SB-1070 law goes into effect by the end of July 2010. There will be public announcements in the media, including in this blog.

Original article follows

Over 40 civil rights organizations and immigrant rights advocates are organizing a cultural program in Washington, DC, to show solidarity with the people of Arizona and demand the Obama administration to stop its repressing policies against the poorest and more vulnerable communities in this country:

Artists, arts and culture promoters, community organizations, activists, human rights advocates, unions, faith based groups, sport clubs, individuals, neighbors and all people who care about social justice, have gathered together and organized the "Festival for Justice and Solidarity: We All Are Arizona".

The purpose of this festival is to send a message to President Obama, to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, that we oppose the implementation of SB-1070, the anti-immigrant law that threatens the security and unity of our families in Arizona.

But we also call on President Obama to stop the existing programs have such as 287 (g) and Safe Communities, and to implement a realistic and human solution for the undocumented immigration crisis.

All the participating artists, leaders, grass roots organizations and attendees, will have the change to sign a letter to be sent to President Obama. The DC Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs will have a Health Fair available for the general public.

I interviewed Jaime Molina, and immigrant and activist with Tenants and Workers United, one of the organizers of this festival:

Organizations activists and artists supporting this event:

National Day Laborer Organizing Network - Red Nacional de Jornaleros y Jornaleras, (NDLON)
SEIU Local 32.BJ
CASA de Maryland
Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations - Coalición de Organizaciones Latinas de Virginia (VACOLAO)
DC Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs - Oficina de Agencias Latinas (OLA)
Empower DC
Tenants and Workers United - Inquilinos y Trabajadores Unidos
Coalición Salvadoreña de Emergencia (COSALVE)
HSC Pediatric Center, Children’s Hospital,
Smithsonian Latino Center
Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC)
DC Department of insurance (DOI)
Centro de Justicia y Asistencia Legal, Virginia
Latino LGBT History Project
Hispanic Resource Center of Mamaroneck, New York
La Clínica del Pueblo, Washington, DC
Latin American Youth Center - Centro Latinoamericano de la Juventud (LAYC)
Literacy Program - Programa de Alfabetización Hispano Latino
Neighbors Link of New York
Anexo Social, Salvadoreños en el Mundo
Asociación Cultural MILPA
United Communities - Comunidades Unidas Prince Williams, Virginia
Quique Aviles
Nueva Cosecha
DYNAMIX SALSA
La Trova del Barrio
Comité Buenos Aires de San Salvador
Los Reyes del Bajo Mundo
Joseph y su Nueva Imagen
Los Alegres de Morazán
Kalanjali School of Dance (India)
Tabernáculo Bíblico Baptist Church
Troupe Booseh (Arab dance school)
Community Powered Radio CPR RADIO 97.5 FM, DC.
Patricio Zamorano – El Trovador
Bajo de Agua
Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberación Nacional FMLN- Washington, DC
Seguro Alianza Insurance
Metro Party Productions
Frankojazz
Alcira Aldana- Colom y Familia
Carlos A. Quiroz - Carlos in DC / carlosqc.blogspot.com

List to be updated as more organizations will join.

Get involved!

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing against Arizona's law SB-1070, but the Barack Obama administration is still running anti-immigrant programs that not only racially target Brown people, especially Indigenous or Latinos, but is creating fear and a distrust between the police and our communities.

At the same time, Brown people are being incarcerated and harassed all across the United States, dividing our families and creating grounds for racial discrimination.

Hope to see you this Saturday at Malcom X Park! This event is organized by the true grass roots movement for Immigration Reform. Come and support our communities!

Visit the Todos Somos Arizona facebook page and the AltoArizona website

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Arizona Law SB1070 will be Overturned but Obama is Increasing Border Militarization: Anthony Romero of ACLU [VIDEO]

The Arizona anti-immigrant law SB-1070 will be “struck down” and overturned in courts, because it is unconstitutional and it encourages racial profiling, said attorney and civil rights leader Anthony Romero, the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

ACLU is one of several civil-rights organizations that filed lawsuits against SB-1070, before the Obama administration decided to file lawsuit this week. By suing Arizona, the ACLU hopes it will have a “chilling effect" on neighboring states like Texas, California, Colorado that are planning to pass similar measures, said Romero.

While the Obama administration has protested the Arizona law, but it has also increased raids and deportations and is promoting the militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border, thus worsening the number of civil casualties -- without resolving the undocumented immigration crisis, denounced Romero during a brief conversation with this blog.

Photo by This Brave Nation

Immigration Reform might not be passed this year, said Romero, and "we must be patient" for that to be achieved, said Anthony Romero. But also it is important to know the details included on this reform, to guarantee that civil and human rights are respected.

Anthony Romero is the first Latino and openly gay man to lead the ACLU, and he said that even if most U.S. citizens support SB-1070 it doesn’t mean that that law is right.

Finally, Romero said he is aware that the polarization of the immigration debate is becoming dangerous. Although he receives personal threats often, he believes that is part of freedom of speech, and at the end “I prefer getting hate emails, than living in a country where hate speeches are censored.” added Romero.

Although the Obama administration is suing over SB-1070 but the same policies of repression and incarceration of immigrants, are being applied around the country by the federal programs “287g” and “Secure Communities” which were created by the Department of Homeland Security.

These controversial programs are planned to be enforced in all 50 states eventually. Already social resistance is being organized to fight these racially profiling responses, which only benefit the prison and military industries, while abusing the civil rights of millions of people and not making this country any safer.

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Vicky Pelaez is Denied Freedom Again while Facing Political Persecution: Interview by RT America - UPDATE: Why Vicky Pelaez declared herself Guilty

Journalist Vicky Pelaez was denied freedom again, facing a case of political persecution. Her case is different than the Russian agents caught by the FBI.

Photo AP

Update July 9, 2010

Vicky Pelaez has declared herself guilty of "being an agent working secretly for a foreign country without reporting to the U.S. government".

Pelaez accepted a deal between the U.S. and Russia governments that allowed her along with the 9 Russian agents to leave the U.S. and was expelled to Russia.

Pelaez was part of the spy swap, even though she was innocent, her attorney Carlos Moreno said today to BBC.

To this day, most of the media reports on Vicky Pelaez, accusing her of being a spy, a communist terrorist, among other lies, haven't proved their accusations.

Last night, Vicky Pelaez was flown to Austria, where Russia is freeing four spies while the U.S. is givng 10 amateur agents to the Russians.

Pelaez seemed upset with her husband yesterday at court, she was seating away from her husband "Juan Lazaro" and all indications say that all this time, she ignored that her husband was a Russian agent.

The two sons of the couple (ages 38 and 17), will remain in Yonkers, New York but they have to move out their parent's house which has been taken away from the FBI. They have the choice to travel to Russia to meet their parents.

But also Pelaez could move back to Peru. Her oldest son, Waldo Marical has said to AP that they will reunite, "Yes. We have a nice adobe house in Peru that my mother built little by little."

But in Peru a strong media campaign is demanding the local government to revoke the Peruvian nationality to "a dangerous terrorist and Russian spy".

Vicky Pelaez has lost it all. She lost the U.S. citizenship, properties and assets in the U.S. but most importantly, she has lost her life and career, and separated from her family. At 55, she has to start a new life in another country where she's never been to, or another where she hasn't lived in over two decades.

More details to come. See more updates at the end of this post.

The original post before Pelaez declared herself guilty follows:

Today Pelaez was denied freedom for second time in a week, after U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood accepted the appeal from Federal prosecutors, who protested Pelaez being released on bail, fearing that she "might escape".

The FBI has accused Vicky Pelaez and her husband Juan Lazaro among 9 others, of "working secretly as an agent for a foreign government" and of "money laundering".

But there is not evidence against Pelaez, said her attorney Carlos Moreno, during an exclusive interview that I conducted last weekend in NYC.

After that interview I contacted most U.S. mainstream media corporations and also in Peru, requesting them to include the statements made by attorney Carlos Moreno. But they ignored them.

But RT USA TV (Russia Today) requested an interview, which was recorded this afternoon in Washington, DC:

Last week, I wrote an article explaining why I believe this is a case of political persecution against Vicky Pelaez. Most U.S. media keeps ignoring the defense of Pelaez, but they are repeating lies and false rumors about her life, following the same accusations.

The level of misinformation and manipulation of news in the U.S. is absolutely alarming. It gets worse in Peru -where Pelaez was born- and other Latin American countries.

Like I said in this interview, most news corporations don't care about informing with pluralism on the Vicky Pelaez case, they are obviously hiding the truth from people, and this is done following specific orders.

Freedom denied

Early on today, I spoke again to Pelaez' defense attorney Carlos Moreno who said that if Pelaez was denied house arrest again, she might be in prison for 1-2 days or 2 more weeks.

The Sub Secretary of Justice, Michael Farbiarz, said today that if Vicky Pelaez is placed under house arrest "she might escape". Carlos Moreno said his team will appeal if Pelaez is not released before this Friday July 8th.

Emotionally shaken

The Pelaez defense has already paid the $10,000 dollars demanded for her release and signed the guarant for the $250,000 dollars bail out. Attorney John Rodriguez, another member of Pelaez defense said that she is already affected by the process:

Rodriguez added that his client has been very emotionally shaken since her arrest. "Oh, I can tell you there are ups and downs. It's very difficult," he said. "Any time you are charged as a defendant by the full weight and force of the United States of America, that's a heavy weight to bear."

Today, news reports say that a spy swap might occur between the U.S. and Russia, but attorney John Rodriguez said that Vicky Pelaez will not be part of such exchange. I asked attorney Carlos Moreno if Pelaez would face deportation back to Peru, where she was born and he denied the possibility.


Update July 10, 2010

The truth about the Russian spies ring might never be known. According to sources, the FBI might have forced an agreement with the Russian agents and Peruvian journalist Vicky Pelaez, forbidden them to disclosure any information or publish any media content about this case in the future.

We have witnessed also how the U.S. Executive power has influenced the Judiciary in this case, which proves that there is not complete separation of powers in this country. The general public has not been informed of the full details of this trial.

Vicky Pelaez did not deserve to end up her life this way. Her only crime might have been to be married to a Russian agent who lied to her and the world, perhaps knowing about it and not telling. Mostly she dared to challenge the abuses of the most powerful nation in the world, and now we see the consequences.

Take care Vicky Pelaez.
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Russian Spy? Vicky Pelaez is Innocent Says Attorney Carlos Moreno [VIDEO Interview]

"Vicky Pelaez is one hundred percent innocent" says Carlos Moreno, the defense attorney of journalist and author Vicky Pelaez, one of 11 people accused by the F.B.I. of being agents working for a foreign government (Russia) and of money laundering.

Update July 13, 2010:

I spoke to Carlos Moreno today and he insisted that Vicky Pelaez is "one hundred percent innocent", that she is doing better in Russia but she will move back to Peru, where she was born and from there she will move to another country. Her two sons will stay in New York City.

Vicky Pelaez, a Peruvian-born U.S. citizen, is a writer and columnist for El Diario de NY, the most popular newspaper in the U.S. for Spanish-speakers. In her column, Pelaez has criticized the U.S. foreign policies, especially the U.S. military presence around the world.

Photo and video by Carlos A. Quiroz

In this exclusive interview, Carlos Moreno stated that Vicky Pelaez is a victim of political persecution, and that there are not evidence against her. Moreno assures that Vicky Pelaez husband Juan Lazaro has not declared that he is guilty nor that he is a Russian born spy, as the media is saying.

Carlos Moreno added that former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark will be part of his legal team to defend Pelaez of the charges she is accused.

Peruanista on Vimeo

Vicky Pelaez is scheduled to be bailed out on Tuesday July 6th, early in the morning. A press conference is to be held on that day, to be confirmed.

Update July 9, 2010

Vicky Pelaez declared herself guilty of "being an agent working secretly for a foreign country without reporting to the U.S. government".

Pelaez accepted a deal between the U.S. and Russia governments that allowed her along with the 9 Russian agents to leave the U.S. and was expelled to Russia.

Pelaez was part of the spy swap, even though she was innocent, her attorney Carlos Moreno said today to BBC.

To this day, most of the media reports on Vicky Pelaez, accusing her of being a spy, a communist terrorist, among other lies, haven't proved their accusations.

Last night, Vicky Pelaez was flown to Austria, where Russia is freeing four spies while the U.S. is givng 10 amateur agents to the Russians.

Pelaez seemed upset with her husband yesterday at court, she was seating away from her husband "Juan Lazaro" and all indications say that all this time, she ignored that her husband was a Russian agent.

The two sons of the couple (ages 38 and 17), will remain in Yonkers, New York but they have to move out their parent's house which has been taken away from the FBI. They have the choice to travel to Russia to meet their parents.

But also Pelaez could move back to Peru. Her oldest son, Waldo Marical has said to AP that they will reunite, "Yes. We have a nice adobe house in Peru that my mother built little by little."

But in Peru a strong media campaign is demanding the local government to revoke the Peruvian nationality to "a dangerous terrorist and Russian spy".

Vicky Pelaez has lost it all. She lost the U.S. citizenship, properties and assets in the U.S. but most importantly, she has lost her life and career, and separated from her family. At 55, she has to start a new life in another country where she's never been to, or another where she hasn't lived in over two decades.

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Update July 10, 2010

The truth about the Russian spies ring might never be known. According to sources, the FBI might have forced an agreement with the Russian agents and Peruvian journalist Vicky Pelaez, forbidden them to disclosure any information or publish any media content about this case in the future.

We have witnessed also how the U.S. Executive power has influenced the Judiciary in this case, which proves that there is not complete separation of powers in this country. The general public has not been informed of the full details of this trial.

Vicky Pelaez did not deserve to end up her life this way. Her only crime might have been to be married to a Russian agent who lied to her and the world, perhaps knowing about it and not telling. Mostly she dared to challenge the abuses of the most powerful nation in the world, and now we see the consequences.