By Fidel "Butch" Montoya
El Semanario 6/23/2010
Last week, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka spoke before the City Club of Cleveland, giving a major speech calling on union members from the economically hard hit rust-belt region to embrace comprehensive immigration reform.
Trumka acknowledged the economic predicament Cleveland union workers have endured due to the poor economy and great recession.
"Cleveland embodies both the consequences of our failed economic policies of the last three decades - and our hope for a different future. The economic crisis has hit hard here -116,000 lost jobs in the last decade in Cuyahoga County. Eighty-six thousand home foreclosures last year alone."
It was not only unusual for Trumka to give this speech supporting immigration reform in Cleveland in front of union members and business leaders, it demonstrated his exceptional leadership abilities to speak out on an issue he believes must be heard.
He criticized the low wage, high consumption society that imports more and more of what we consume and that it was time to embrace a new national strategy for a global economy.
But for our economy to change means acknowledging that the economic policies of the past have not worked and that it is going to take "world class workforce skills and workforce rights and trade policies that serve the interests of the American people."
Trumka made it clear that in order to have this national narrative about changing our economic strategy, a national introspective look at our personal opinions and political beliefs is necessary.
"Today I also want to talk to you about what may seem like a strange subject--immigration--because it is patently clear that we cannot talk about our national workforce strategy unless we face head-on our own contradictions, hypocrisy and history on immigration."
Trumka spoke of the bigotry and racism his family faced when they first came to this country. "My parents fled poverty and war from different corners of Europe. We were the last hired and first fired, the people who did the hardest and most dangerous work, the people whose pay got shorted because we didn't know the language and were afraid to complain."
He made the case that undocumented immigrants are facing the same intolerance his family faced years ago. Trumka said immigrant families who came to America to find their dream, are now biased of undocumented immigrants seeking the very same dream they wanted in America.
"And yet today I hear from working people who should know better, some in my own family - that those immigrants are taking our jobs, ruining our country. Haven't we been here before?
When I hear that kind of talk, I want to say, did an immigrant move your plant overseas? Did an immigrant take away your pension? Or cut your health care? Did an immigrant destroy American workers' right to organize? Or crash the financial system? Did immigrant workers write the trade laws that have done so much harm to Ohio?"
Trumka said the American Dream brought scores of people to this country, so that "all of us will have a fair portion of the good things in life. Time to be with our families. The chances for our children to get an education and the opportunity to make their own way in the world. Laws that protect us, not oppress us."
Trumka said it was time for immigration reform because employers like cheap labor, like workers who are afraid to organize, afraid to complain when they are mistreated or robbed of their wages and benefits. Borders that are "open enough to ensure an endless supply of socially and legally powerless cheap labor."
Outlining reasons for immigration reform, Trumka made it clear that as members of the union movement, it was time for workers to unite under a banner of fair wages, right to organize, right to work without fear of retaliation, and the right for a pathway that will allow undocumented immigrants to be part of our country from day one.
Trumka spoke passionately of how our country has turned to hate and dissension because of the lack of compelling moral leadership; allowing the voices of hate to feed the public's anger, pain and desperation. "We see today a dangerous drift toward a politics of hate."
Unless our leaders become advocates of change and push for a progressive perspective on the economy that respects workers, the voices of hate will only continue to breed and drag our country in the wrong direction.
Therein lays the problem. We need more leaders like Trumka who are not afraid to speak out to audiences who have used the undocumented immigrant as the scapegoat. The activists of hate have taken advantage of this economic recession to prey upon the anger, depression, and unemployment.
President Obama has not consistently called upon the "haters and racists" to put an end to their bigotry. There is no moral leadership from the President for comprehensive immigration reform. He has not even made comprehensive immigration reform a priority for his administration, much less articulating a political strategy pushing for legislation.
In fact, Obama has prioritized immigration enforcement concentrating on families, not those with criminal backgrounds.
Other politicians are missing in action as well when it comes to advocating for immigration reform or for calling an end to the hate and racism. Thank God, faith leaders have taken forceful steps to call upon the President for immigration reform and have condemned the unjust laws and hate in our country.
Richard Trumka has taken on a significant role as a leader and it was very bold for him to take his message into the heartland of the rust belt. As a strong American, he understands what is necessary so all can achieve the American Dream.
"We as a nation must be true to our better selves -employers must not make a buck on the backs of workers who live in fear of deportation, and workers must stand together in the workplace for good jobs, safe jobs, health care for all, and retirement security we can count on. And so when we talk about making the American Dream real, the labor movement stands for making it real for all of us who do the work of our country. All of us - no matter what we look like, who we choose to love, or where we come from. Surely there we can find common ground."
Our political leaders must change the dialogue and alter the national tone and narrative on comprehensive immigration reform. The voices of hate and dissension will only prey upon people who fail to realize undocumented immigrants only want what our immigrant families wanted and worked for, the American Dream.
http://www.elsemanario.net/
6/23/2010
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H. S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972. He serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. Isaiah 49:10
Sunday, June 20, 2010
A Bold Outspoken Leader
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Time to Register Your Values
By Fidel “Butch” Montoya
The battle lines on the political horizon are being drawn as our nation’s voters begin to determine the most important issues facing our country in the mid-term election in November 2010. From the extremist right-wing factions, to the ultra-liberals, voters are siding up with their preferred political and social ideology and political candidates who they believe best represent their views and supporting beliefs.
Unfortunately, our nation finds itself becoming increasingly divided by biased beliefs of self preservation and ideologies of racism and bigotry. In many cases, it is our own fellow American citizens who are leading the anti undocumented immigrant crusade. By spewing venom of hate and fear of undocumented immigrants, the bigoted demigods of this hate movement are instigating the spread this racist cancer whose sole purpose is to generate an atmosphere of panic, trepidation, confusion, and racism.
Everyday we see more and more people openly express their disdain and hate for the undocumented immigrants and Latinos. Like other historically distressing times in this country, it has become fashionable once again for people to be undisturbed by critics as they peddle in public their bigotry and unparalleled hate and racism in town meetings, street demonstrations, posters, bumper stickers, and on hate radio.
The messengers of hate, divisiveness, and open racism are undaunted by standing in public and allowing others to see first hand their hate and distain for undocumented immigrants and Latinos and forcing others to endure the rancor of their bigotry. The facial expressions of these hate messengers should frighten and challenge us to stand up for our own values.
If there ever was such a time for the Latino Evangelical voter to stand up and denounce this revival of hate and racism, it is now! It is a critical time in our nation’s history and a time when Christian’s must understand the importance of getting involved not in the dirty politics and mud slinging, but in representing our values and demanding that candidates for office embody our core values and Christian beliefs.
It is time to retire those politicians who have refused to listen to our pleas for common sense in government and for the politics of divisiveness and obstruction to come to an end. We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines and allow the opposition to destroy the Judeo-Christian ethic that this nation was founded on.
For too long we have turned the other cheek when confronted by the enemies of the cross on issues affecting our nation. As Christians, we are often lectured to be tolerant and open to new ways of thinking and solving issues and concerns facing our country. If others profess their political or religious beliefs, we are expected to acquiesce to those beliefs.
Yet, when we speak up and stand up for our values and beliefs, we are accused of not being tolerant and considerate of opposing view points. Our values and beliefs are then condemned as being narrow-minded and offensive.
We are told we cannot pray in schools, public and civic functions, and if we do pray, we must be respectful and tolerant of other religious and spiritual philosophies and beliefs, by not invoking the name of Jesus Christ.
Nevertheless, we are mandated to sit back and allow others to proclaim their spiritual ideologies and beliefs even if those beliefs proclaim the ultimate destruction of our personal spiritual values and beliefs...and our country!
The time for Evangelicals to stand up for their core values is now. We must be empowered to vote for those candidates and politicians who mirror our beliefs and core spiritual values.
For too long, Latino Christian voters have voted for candidates and political parties based on our family political heritage. It is time to forget who “Dad would vote for”…and remember we are living in a time when it is critically important to vote for candidates or issues that are best for our families and country. The political parties and their promises of the past to remedy our concerns no longer characterize the urgency for change and a new beginning.
Of course in order to do that, Latinos must register to vote. There are millions of potential voters who have not taken the most important step in changing the direction of this nation by putting themselves in the voter booth on Election Day.
One way we can make a difference is to join the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference Fuerza 2010 voter registration drive and encourage our families, friends, and neighbors to register to vote. And then most importantly, actually turn out on Election Day to express our political and spiritual beliefs in the election booth.
Apathy and by not participating in voting for the issues that reflect our core values has allowed other political ideologies to destroy our liberties and freedoms. We must encourage Latino Evangelicals to register to vote….and to VOTE on Election Day.
It is so important for Latino Evangelical Christians to play a fundamental role in determining the future direction of our cities, states, and our country. We must be outspoken in our opposition to those who would destroy and deny the Christian heritage of our nation.
The best way to express your opposition to the candidates and politicians who have disregarded your values is to vote them out of office. The key and most significant achievement we can have is VOTING them out of office. In order to exercise your God given liberty to stand up for your values is to be able to participate in the national narrative by VOTING in any local, state, or national election.
I encourage you to join this NHCLC FUERZA 2010 Voter Registration Drive and ask those who have not yet registered to vote, to join the national effort to change the wrong direction this nation is headed.
To register to vote, simply text “NHCLC Vote” on your cell phone and become a voice for justice, righteousness, and truth by taking the first step by registering to vote in the upcoming mid-term November 2010 elections.
To get involved in this national NHCLC voter registration drive locally in your city or state, contact National FUERZA 2010 Coordinator, Pastor Johnny Murillo at 916-343-6074 or email him at johnny_murillo@yahoo.com
Register to Vote…and then vote like your values depended on it this time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H.S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972. He serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The battle lines on the political horizon are being drawn as our nation’s voters begin to determine the most important issues facing our country in the mid-term election in November 2010. From the extremist right-wing factions, to the ultra-liberals, voters are siding up with their preferred political and social ideology and political candidates who they believe best represent their views and supporting beliefs.
Unfortunately, our nation finds itself becoming increasingly divided by biased beliefs of self preservation and ideologies of racism and bigotry. In many cases, it is our own fellow American citizens who are leading the anti undocumented immigrant crusade. By spewing venom of hate and fear of undocumented immigrants, the bigoted demigods of this hate movement are instigating the spread this racist cancer whose sole purpose is to generate an atmosphere of panic, trepidation, confusion, and racism.
Everyday we see more and more people openly express their disdain and hate for the undocumented immigrants and Latinos. Like other historically distressing times in this country, it has become fashionable once again for people to be undisturbed by critics as they peddle in public their bigotry and unparalleled hate and racism in town meetings, street demonstrations, posters, bumper stickers, and on hate radio.
The messengers of hate, divisiveness, and open racism are undaunted by standing in public and allowing others to see first hand their hate and distain for undocumented immigrants and Latinos and forcing others to endure the rancor of their bigotry. The facial expressions of these hate messengers should frighten and challenge us to stand up for our own values.
If there ever was such a time for the Latino Evangelical voter to stand up and denounce this revival of hate and racism, it is now! It is a critical time in our nation’s history and a time when Christian’s must understand the importance of getting involved not in the dirty politics and mud slinging, but in representing our values and demanding that candidates for office embody our core values and Christian beliefs.
It is time to retire those politicians who have refused to listen to our pleas for common sense in government and for the politics of divisiveness and obstruction to come to an end. We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines and allow the opposition to destroy the Judeo-Christian ethic that this nation was founded on.
For too long we have turned the other cheek when confronted by the enemies of the cross on issues affecting our nation. As Christians, we are often lectured to be tolerant and open to new ways of thinking and solving issues and concerns facing our country. If others profess their political or religious beliefs, we are expected to acquiesce to those beliefs.
Yet, when we speak up and stand up for our values and beliefs, we are accused of not being tolerant and considerate of opposing view points. Our values and beliefs are then condemned as being narrow-minded and offensive.
We are told we cannot pray in schools, public and civic functions, and if we do pray, we must be respectful and tolerant of other religious and spiritual philosophies and beliefs, by not invoking the name of Jesus Christ.
Nevertheless, we are mandated to sit back and allow others to proclaim their spiritual ideologies and beliefs even if those beliefs proclaim the ultimate destruction of our personal spiritual values and beliefs...and our country!
The time for Evangelicals to stand up for their core values is now. We must be empowered to vote for those candidates and politicians who mirror our beliefs and core spiritual values.
For too long, Latino Christian voters have voted for candidates and political parties based on our family political heritage. It is time to forget who “Dad would vote for”…and remember we are living in a time when it is critically important to vote for candidates or issues that are best for our families and country. The political parties and their promises of the past to remedy our concerns no longer characterize the urgency for change and a new beginning.
Of course in order to do that, Latinos must register to vote. There are millions of potential voters who have not taken the most important step in changing the direction of this nation by putting themselves in the voter booth on Election Day.
One way we can make a difference is to join the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference Fuerza 2010 voter registration drive and encourage our families, friends, and neighbors to register to vote. And then most importantly, actually turn out on Election Day to express our political and spiritual beliefs in the election booth.
Apathy and by not participating in voting for the issues that reflect our core values has allowed other political ideologies to destroy our liberties and freedoms. We must encourage Latino Evangelicals to register to vote….and to VOTE on Election Day.
It is so important for Latino Evangelical Christians to play a fundamental role in determining the future direction of our cities, states, and our country. We must be outspoken in our opposition to those who would destroy and deny the Christian heritage of our nation.
The best way to express your opposition to the candidates and politicians who have disregarded your values is to vote them out of office. The key and most significant achievement we can have is VOTING them out of office. In order to exercise your God given liberty to stand up for your values is to be able to participate in the national narrative by VOTING in any local, state, or national election.
I encourage you to join this NHCLC FUERZA 2010 Voter Registration Drive and ask those who have not yet registered to vote, to join the national effort to change the wrong direction this nation is headed.
To register to vote, simply text “NHCLC Vote” on your cell phone and become a voice for justice, righteousness, and truth by taking the first step by registering to vote in the upcoming mid-term November 2010 elections.
To get involved in this national NHCLC voter registration drive locally in your city or state, contact National FUERZA 2010 Coordinator, Pastor Johnny Murillo at 916-343-6074 or email him at johnny_murillo@yahoo.com
Register to Vote…and then vote like your values depended on it this time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H.S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972. He serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Let Us Come Together and Pray......
By Fidel "Butch" Montoya
Today is the National Day of Prayer, a day in which our nation pauses to recognize the importance what prayer has meant for our nation. It should also be a day in which we express our faith in a higher Being. It is also a day in which we can proclaim the blessings given to our nation. A National Day of Prayer can also help to remember that we were established as a nation founded on the biblical principles of justice and righteousness.
Our nation has been blessed since the founding of this great nation by founding fathers who recognized the importance of a Supreme Being guiding and watching over our country. President George Washington, our nation’s first President issued a proclamation declaring the first “National Day of Prayer” on Thursday, November 26, 1789. It was done in recognition of our dependence upon God to guide our nation.
Over the years we have been a nation that has represented the best in democracy and justice. We must never take this privilege for granted and be on guard to protect our right of prayer.
The April 15 ruling by a federal judge that ruled that a National Day of Prayer violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment and thus ruled it unconstitutional is a step away from what our founding fathers wrote, accepted, and established in our country’s constitution.
However, as with other nations in the Bible that turned away from God’s guidance and rejected their faith in God, God’s word is clear on what happens if we reject his Word. The threat of what can happen if we reject the very basic principles of faith in God are told in story after story in the Bible. God’s judgment of destruction and punishment are shared throughout the Bible when people begin to turn to idolatry and other evil practices and reject the Biblical principles of justice and righteousness.
Today we find our nation at the crossroads of either moving forward and continuing to accept the importance of having a day in which we can express our faith and dependence on a Divine Being as an important tradition.
The whole notion of separation of Church and State is merely a wedge issue used to create confusion and fear over accepting the great tradition proclaimed by the prophets of the past.
Today as we gather across this great nation, may we once again renew our faith and determination to always find a day in which we declare not only a “National Day of Prayer” in recognition of God’s hand in the formation of our great democracy, but as a way to publicly express our continuing dependence on God’s hand in the affairs of our nation.
The Family Resource Council issued a statement regarding the importance of declaring a National Day of Prayer. In part it states, “The National Day of Prayer has a monumental place in our nation's history, but more importantly, its annual observance is a living expression of our collective faith in God today. It is a sign of our hope for the future of our nation and lends truth to our national motto; "In God We Trust." Those who have labored to promote this day have played a major role in envisioning, birthing, encouraging, strengthening and expanding the much larger trans-denominational prayer movement. This movement may be the brightest star in an America darkened by troubles on every side. “
As we gather today, let us once reclaim the spiritual heritage of our founding fathers and extend our faith and liberty in God, the One in whom we trust.
Political correctness and rulings by activist federal judges who mettle in the affairs and historical heritage of our nation by declaring a National Day of Prayer as unconstitutional should not stand in the way of a national tradition.
Let us join together recognizing a model and tradition of prayer handed down over the years so that today, on May 6, 2010, we can gather to renew our faith and trust and our commitment to remain a nation committed to justice, fair play, and righteousness for all.
As we pray today, may God’s Word refresh our commitment to continue in this battle for faith and justice. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H.S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972. He serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Today is the National Day of Prayer, a day in which our nation pauses to recognize the importance what prayer has meant for our nation. It should also be a day in which we express our faith in a higher Being. It is also a day in which we can proclaim the blessings given to our nation. A National Day of Prayer can also help to remember that we were established as a nation founded on the biblical principles of justice and righteousness.
Our nation has been blessed since the founding of this great nation by founding fathers who recognized the importance of a Supreme Being guiding and watching over our country. President George Washington, our nation’s first President issued a proclamation declaring the first “National Day of Prayer” on Thursday, November 26, 1789. It was done in recognition of our dependence upon God to guide our nation.
Over the years we have been a nation that has represented the best in democracy and justice. We must never take this privilege for granted and be on guard to protect our right of prayer.
The April 15 ruling by a federal judge that ruled that a National Day of Prayer violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment and thus ruled it unconstitutional is a step away from what our founding fathers wrote, accepted, and established in our country’s constitution.
However, as with other nations in the Bible that turned away from God’s guidance and rejected their faith in God, God’s word is clear on what happens if we reject his Word. The threat of what can happen if we reject the very basic principles of faith in God are told in story after story in the Bible. God’s judgment of destruction and punishment are shared throughout the Bible when people begin to turn to idolatry and other evil practices and reject the Biblical principles of justice and righteousness.
Today we find our nation at the crossroads of either moving forward and continuing to accept the importance of having a day in which we can express our faith and dependence on a Divine Being as an important tradition.
The whole notion of separation of Church and State is merely a wedge issue used to create confusion and fear over accepting the great tradition proclaimed by the prophets of the past.
Today as we gather across this great nation, may we once again renew our faith and determination to always find a day in which we declare not only a “National Day of Prayer” in recognition of God’s hand in the formation of our great democracy, but as a way to publicly express our continuing dependence on God’s hand in the affairs of our nation.
The Family Resource Council issued a statement regarding the importance of declaring a National Day of Prayer. In part it states, “The National Day of Prayer has a monumental place in our nation's history, but more importantly, its annual observance is a living expression of our collective faith in God today. It is a sign of our hope for the future of our nation and lends truth to our national motto; "In God We Trust." Those who have labored to promote this day have played a major role in envisioning, birthing, encouraging, strengthening and expanding the much larger trans-denominational prayer movement. This movement may be the brightest star in an America darkened by troubles on every side. “
As we gather today, let us once reclaim the spiritual heritage of our founding fathers and extend our faith and liberty in God, the One in whom we trust.
Political correctness and rulings by activist federal judges who mettle in the affairs and historical heritage of our nation by declaring a National Day of Prayer as unconstitutional should not stand in the way of a national tradition.
Let us join together recognizing a model and tradition of prayer handed down over the years so that today, on May 6, 2010, we can gather to renew our faith and trust and our commitment to remain a nation committed to justice, fair play, and righteousness for all.
As we pray today, may God’s Word refresh our commitment to continue in this battle for faith and justice. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H.S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972. He serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Say What you Will, SB 1070 is Still Profiling....
By Fidel “Butch” Montoya
The Arizona Legislature after running into harsh criticism and condemnation of SB 1070 as the worst racial and ethnic profiling law in the land, took some feeble steps to change the intent of the law by trying to ensure that law enforcement officers didn’t abuse their authority by stopping and questioning every person who fit the profile of an “undocumented immigrant,” by amending the law with HB 2165.
Governor Jan Brewer signed the bill passed by the Arizona Legislature that now requires every alien present in the state to carry proper documentation that they are legally in the state. The police can use “reasonable suspicion” to question any suspected undocumented immigrant in the state about their legal status. If undocumented immigrants do not carry “their papers,” police can charge them with additional fines, and in effect, making innocent men, or women – criminals.
The whole issue of racial profiling and ethnic intimidation allowing police to question anyone, who fits a profile of an undocumented immigrant, has raised a new issue of defining what an undocumented immigrant looks like. Even Governor Brewer who claims that police will undergo new training in identifying what a undocumented immigrant looks like, could not even venture a response to a question from a reporter what that training will entail.
But like all politicians, she couldn’t pass the chance to give a vague response. "I do not know," she said. "I do not know what an illegal immigrant looks like. I can tell you that I think that there are people in Arizona who assume they know what an illegal immigrant looks like. I don't know if they know that for a fact or not."
Mike Littwin, columnist of The Denver Post, wrote the best response to the question. “She said that they're still trying to come up with guidelines for the law. We all know what the law will do — go after those with the wrong accents or the wrong shoes or who press 2 at the ATM.”
The bottom line, civil rights organizations are already lining up to sue the state and demand that the racial profiling law be reviewed by the courts. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Arizona filed their challenge against Arizona’s Latino racial profiling law last week.
In a major show of support and unity with the Latino community, the NAACP, the nations’ oldest and respected civil rights organization in the country called SB 1070 an attempt to roll back the clock on civil rights protections in our country.
The NAACP is outraged that Arizona would pass a law that empowers the police to legally use racial profiling as a means by which to target the Latino community.
The Black community lead the civil rights movement back in the 1950’s, suffering the indignity and injustice of police abuse and brutality during non-violent civil disobedience protests, know what racial profiling can lead to when police abuse the authority given them under the law.
They also understand how the moral disregard of the law can be abused when segregationist Public Safety manager of Birmingham used his police against non-violent protestors in Birmingham. Theophilus Eugene “Bull” Connor was responsible for the ugliest images embedded in our minds of cops and dogs brutally attacking innocent victims of the civil rights demonstrations. Dr. Martin Luther King called, “Birmingham the most segregated city in America.”
It was here that America watched in horror on television as police used police dogs to drag away protestors in the streets of Birmingham. But one of the most dreadful images caught by news photojournalists of the time were the high powered water fire hoses used to push and wash Black protestors off their feet and into submission.
Speaking from a sense of history and outrage, NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock condemned the fact that SB 1070 was a violation of the moral and human rights standard in our country and an attempt to roll back the clock.
“The passage of SB1070 is an embarrassment to the equal protection clause in the U.S. Constitution, and if we are not careful will leave a permanent stain on the United States’ reputation throughout the world. As an association that has fought for more than 100 years to ensure that basic rights and freedoms would be equally extended to all, it is disheartening to see the State of Arizona enact a law that tramples on the civil rights of Hispanic persons, and one that cannot be enforced without resorting to racial and ethnic profiling. We intend to use the full weight of our 2200 branches and units to ensure that this law is repealed and does not happen in other states across this nation.”
In Colorado, a highly respected civil rights lawyer took the time to analyze SB 1070 and the feeble attempt by the Arizona Legislature to amend the law (HB 2162) in their efforts to quiet claims that by allowing police to use “reasonable suspicion,” basically meant racial and ethnic profiling was legal in Arizona.
Joseph Salazar, who “read and dissected SB 1070,’ even after the legislature passed HB 2165, wrote, “HB 1070 is severely flawed. There are no real safeguards prohibiting unconstitutional conduct, such as racial profiling.” Salazar opined, “The fact is that SB 1070 violates the scared principles of our federal government’s power to regulate immigration.”
Salazar took the task upon himself to read and analyze SB 1070 after Scott McInnis, Republican running for governor of Colorado, claimed that even though he had not read or studied SB 1070, he would sign such a bill if he were Governor of Colorado. The same gentlemen who while in Congress warned the nation right after the 911 terrorist attacks on our country, “the need for profiling for the national security of this country."
David Sirota, columnist for a syndicated column in Oregon Live. Com wrote, “Brandishing his past experience as a police officer, he implored lawmakers "to quit being politically correct" and let authorities make "ethnic background a legitimate component" of law enforcement investigations -- just as Arizona's new statute allows.
"Insurance companies profile for risk. That is what I am asking that we continue to do -- we need to profile for risk," he thundered, adding that using ethnicity as a risk factor "is very legitimate -- I think it is smart."
Commenting further, Sirota wrote, In other words, we should do to civil rights what insurance firms have done to, say, health care -- namely, deny people rights and privileges based on their ascribed characteristics.
No wonder, McInnis didn’t need to read SB 1070 and stand before the microphones and proudly state he would readily agree to sign it into law if he were elected Governor of Colorado. It is part of his DNA as a former cop to understand how easily it is to make “ethnic background a legitimate component” for profiling people who look like the bad guys.
With McInnis’s lack of political astuteness and understanding that SB 1070 is morally reprehensible to a large group of voters in Colorado, he allowed his own personal feelings about racial and ethnic “profiling for risk” to blurt out without understanding the political repercussions of being so frank and in this case, dishonest.
So while civil right lawyer Salazar took the time to read and analyze the law, it was very easy to see that the intent of the Arizona law – as written in the law itself, “The legislature declares that the intent of this act is to make attrition through enforcement the public policy of all state and local governmental agencies in Arizona.”
For McInnis and others who champion the violation of civil rights under the guise of protecting our country by using racial and ethnic profiling might want to take the same amount of time and effort as Salazar and find out for themselves that, “HB 1070 is severely flawed. There are no real safeguards prohibiting unconstitutional conduct, such as racial profiling.” Salazar opined, “The fact is that SB 1070 violates the scared principles of our federal government’s power to regulate immigration.”
No matter how much the Arizona Legislature tried to hide the true intent of SB 1070 by amending the law with HB 2165, putting lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H.S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972. He serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Arizona Legislature after running into harsh criticism and condemnation of SB 1070 as the worst racial and ethnic profiling law in the land, took some feeble steps to change the intent of the law by trying to ensure that law enforcement officers didn’t abuse their authority by stopping and questioning every person who fit the profile of an “undocumented immigrant,” by amending the law with HB 2165.
Governor Jan Brewer signed the bill passed by the Arizona Legislature that now requires every alien present in the state to carry proper documentation that they are legally in the state. The police can use “reasonable suspicion” to question any suspected undocumented immigrant in the state about their legal status. If undocumented immigrants do not carry “their papers,” police can charge them with additional fines, and in effect, making innocent men, or women – criminals.
The whole issue of racial profiling and ethnic intimidation allowing police to question anyone, who fits a profile of an undocumented immigrant, has raised a new issue of defining what an undocumented immigrant looks like. Even Governor Brewer who claims that police will undergo new training in identifying what a undocumented immigrant looks like, could not even venture a response to a question from a reporter what that training will entail.
But like all politicians, she couldn’t pass the chance to give a vague response. "I do not know," she said. "I do not know what an illegal immigrant looks like. I can tell you that I think that there are people in Arizona who assume they know what an illegal immigrant looks like. I don't know if they know that for a fact or not."
Mike Littwin, columnist of The Denver Post, wrote the best response to the question. “She said that they're still trying to come up with guidelines for the law. We all know what the law will do — go after those with the wrong accents or the wrong shoes or who press 2 at the ATM.”
The bottom line, civil rights organizations are already lining up to sue the state and demand that the racial profiling law be reviewed by the courts. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Arizona filed their challenge against Arizona’s Latino racial profiling law last week.
In a major show of support and unity with the Latino community, the NAACP, the nations’ oldest and respected civil rights organization in the country called SB 1070 an attempt to roll back the clock on civil rights protections in our country.
The NAACP is outraged that Arizona would pass a law that empowers the police to legally use racial profiling as a means by which to target the Latino community.
The Black community lead the civil rights movement back in the 1950’s, suffering the indignity and injustice of police abuse and brutality during non-violent civil disobedience protests, know what racial profiling can lead to when police abuse the authority given them under the law.
They also understand how the moral disregard of the law can be abused when segregationist Public Safety manager of Birmingham used his police against non-violent protestors in Birmingham. Theophilus Eugene “Bull” Connor was responsible for the ugliest images embedded in our minds of cops and dogs brutally attacking innocent victims of the civil rights demonstrations. Dr. Martin Luther King called, “Birmingham the most segregated city in America.”
It was here that America watched in horror on television as police used police dogs to drag away protestors in the streets of Birmingham. But one of the most dreadful images caught by news photojournalists of the time were the high powered water fire hoses used to push and wash Black protestors off their feet and into submission.
Speaking from a sense of history and outrage, NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock condemned the fact that SB 1070 was a violation of the moral and human rights standard in our country and an attempt to roll back the clock.
“The passage of SB1070 is an embarrassment to the equal protection clause in the U.S. Constitution, and if we are not careful will leave a permanent stain on the United States’ reputation throughout the world. As an association that has fought for more than 100 years to ensure that basic rights and freedoms would be equally extended to all, it is disheartening to see the State of Arizona enact a law that tramples on the civil rights of Hispanic persons, and one that cannot be enforced without resorting to racial and ethnic profiling. We intend to use the full weight of our 2200 branches and units to ensure that this law is repealed and does not happen in other states across this nation.”
In Colorado, a highly respected civil rights lawyer took the time to analyze SB 1070 and the feeble attempt by the Arizona Legislature to amend the law (HB 2162) in their efforts to quiet claims that by allowing police to use “reasonable suspicion,” basically meant racial and ethnic profiling was legal in Arizona.
Joseph Salazar, who “read and dissected SB 1070,’ even after the legislature passed HB 2165, wrote, “HB 1070 is severely flawed. There are no real safeguards prohibiting unconstitutional conduct, such as racial profiling.” Salazar opined, “The fact is that SB 1070 violates the scared principles of our federal government’s power to regulate immigration.”
Salazar took the task upon himself to read and analyze SB 1070 after Scott McInnis, Republican running for governor of Colorado, claimed that even though he had not read or studied SB 1070, he would sign such a bill if he were Governor of Colorado. The same gentlemen who while in Congress warned the nation right after the 911 terrorist attacks on our country, “the need for profiling for the national security of this country."
David Sirota, columnist for a syndicated column in Oregon Live. Com wrote, “Brandishing his past experience as a police officer, he implored lawmakers "to quit being politically correct" and let authorities make "ethnic background a legitimate component" of law enforcement investigations -- just as Arizona's new statute allows.
"Insurance companies profile for risk. That is what I am asking that we continue to do -- we need to profile for risk," he thundered, adding that using ethnicity as a risk factor "is very legitimate -- I think it is smart."
Commenting further, Sirota wrote, In other words, we should do to civil rights what insurance firms have done to, say, health care -- namely, deny people rights and privileges based on their ascribed characteristics.
No wonder, McInnis didn’t need to read SB 1070 and stand before the microphones and proudly state he would readily agree to sign it into law if he were elected Governor of Colorado. It is part of his DNA as a former cop to understand how easily it is to make “ethnic background a legitimate component” for profiling people who look like the bad guys.
With McInnis’s lack of political astuteness and understanding that SB 1070 is morally reprehensible to a large group of voters in Colorado, he allowed his own personal feelings about racial and ethnic “profiling for risk” to blurt out without understanding the political repercussions of being so frank and in this case, dishonest.
So while civil right lawyer Salazar took the time to read and analyze the law, it was very easy to see that the intent of the Arizona law – as written in the law itself, “The legislature declares that the intent of this act is to make attrition through enforcement the public policy of all state and local governmental agencies in Arizona.”
For McInnis and others who champion the violation of civil rights under the guise of protecting our country by using racial and ethnic profiling might want to take the same amount of time and effort as Salazar and find out for themselves that, “HB 1070 is severely flawed. There are no real safeguards prohibiting unconstitutional conduct, such as racial profiling.” Salazar opined, “The fact is that SB 1070 violates the scared principles of our federal government’s power to regulate immigration.”
No matter how much the Arizona Legislature tried to hide the true intent of SB 1070 by amending the law with HB 2165, putting lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H.S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972. He serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Boycott Arizona!
By Fidel "Butch" Montoya
El Semanario 4/21/2010
The very fact that the Arizona State Legislature would pass SB 1070, a bill that outlaws and criminalizes undocumented immigrants as trespassers, and allows the police to use “reasonable suspicion” to stop and question a person about their legal status even if no other law has been violated is outrageous and immoral.
The worst racist and immoral piece of legislation of our time now sits on the desk of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer waiting for her signature to sign it into law.
In their feeble attempt to fix a broken federal immigration system, SB 1070 only opens the door to outright racial profiling and illegal questioning about a person’s status for being in the State of Arizona. It is frightening to see a legislative body take it upon themselves to outlaw a group of people based only on the fact that they may look like an undocumented immigrant.
This law allows law enforcement officials who have a “reasonable suspicion” to stop and question any person who looks like an “undocumented immigrant” and that may be in the State of Arizona without proper documentation.
No other law has to be violated for the police to stop and question you. It is simply the assumption that because you look like an “undocumented immigrant, you can be stopped, questioned, detained, and most likely deported.
Driving while being Latino will be the only reason the police can pull your over in Arizona. You don’t have to break any traffic or minor violations, just simply look the part of an undocumented immigrant.
The worst implications of this law are that it legalizes racial profiling and is targeted at anyone who looks Latino. If a police officer just suspects you look illegal, he will have the law on his side to stop and question your right to be in Arizona. It is the most outlandish, immoral, and illegal violation of our Constitutional rights.
Governor Brewer needs to veto SB 1070 and put an end to this legislative nightmare.
It may be if you are visiting in Arizona, you may need to wear a yellow star on your coat so that law enforcement officials will know of your status in the country. Hitler forced the Jews to wear these yellow stars so that they could be easily identified, intimidated, and sent to concentration camps.
Here we find ourselves in the 21st century in a neighboring state, which has passed a law that will deport anyone who looks like an undocumented immigrant and who is believed to be trespassing” and who will be required to carry the proper documents to prove ones legal status. Unbelievable!
By giving police the right of “reasonable suspicion” to stop you and question you, it will legalize racial profiling and lead to further police abuse and misconduct. It is wrong, it is immoral, and it is racism at its worst. It must not be signed into law and Governor Brewer must veto it.
On the other hand if Governor Brewer refuses to listen to reason and understand why we are demanding that SB 1070 be vetoed, a BOYCOTT of any business or vacation trip to Arizona will become our weapon of choice.
If the Arizona Legislature believes it can pass such a heinous law, and Governor Brewer believes she can sign it into law and not face any repercussions, they are sadly mistaken. The day SB 1070 becomes law will the first day of a national boycott of this state. Across this nation, people of good conscience and moral values will need to make it clear that all business and vacation visits to Arizona will stop.
Tourism is big business in Arizona and we will ask Americans across this country to boycott any trips to the Grand Canyon state. We can bring this state legislature and those who voted to create a climate of fear and panic in Arizona to their knees. If Governor Brewer does not veto this bill, I can guarantee a national boycott of Arizona will break the state budget and make the governor understand the implications of her signing this bill.
We can condemn the actions of the legislature, we can condemn the Governor if she refuses to veto the bill, and we can complain all we want about how immoral and racist this bill is, but unless we make a major decision to boycott this state and impact the budget and economy of this state, nothing will happen.
We call upon Governor Brewer to veto SB 1070 and condemn this bill for its attempt to outlaw a group of people who merely want a better life, or Governor, be prepared to face the biggest and most damaging boycott in the history of Arizona.
We too have economic weapons that can be used to bring the racist state assembly to the realization that SB 1070 is not only a bad bill, an immoral bill, an illegal bill, and one that might carry with it if it is not vetoed a big bill of financial loss to the State of Arizona.
Boycott Arizona starting today, and perhaps Governor Jan Brewer will see the illegality of this bill and veto SB 1070.
******************************************************
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H.S. Power and Light Ministries. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972. He serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
*******************************************************
El Semanario 4/21/2010
The very fact that the Arizona State Legislature would pass SB 1070, a bill that outlaws and criminalizes undocumented immigrants as trespassers, and allows the police to use “reasonable suspicion” to stop and question a person about their legal status even if no other law has been violated is outrageous and immoral.
The worst racist and immoral piece of legislation of our time now sits on the desk of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer waiting for her signature to sign it into law.
In their feeble attempt to fix a broken federal immigration system, SB 1070 only opens the door to outright racial profiling and illegal questioning about a person’s status for being in the State of Arizona. It is frightening to see a legislative body take it upon themselves to outlaw a group of people based only on the fact that they may look like an undocumented immigrant.
This law allows law enforcement officials who have a “reasonable suspicion” to stop and question any person who looks like an “undocumented immigrant” and that may be in the State of Arizona without proper documentation.
No other law has to be violated for the police to stop and question you. It is simply the assumption that because you look like an “undocumented immigrant, you can be stopped, questioned, detained, and most likely deported.
Driving while being Latino will be the only reason the police can pull your over in Arizona. You don’t have to break any traffic or minor violations, just simply look the part of an undocumented immigrant.
The worst implications of this law are that it legalizes racial profiling and is targeted at anyone who looks Latino. If a police officer just suspects you look illegal, he will have the law on his side to stop and question your right to be in Arizona. It is the most outlandish, immoral, and illegal violation of our Constitutional rights.
Governor Brewer needs to veto SB 1070 and put an end to this legislative nightmare.
It may be if you are visiting in Arizona, you may need to wear a yellow star on your coat so that law enforcement officials will know of your status in the country. Hitler forced the Jews to wear these yellow stars so that they could be easily identified, intimidated, and sent to concentration camps.
Here we find ourselves in the 21st century in a neighboring state, which has passed a law that will deport anyone who looks like an undocumented immigrant and who is believed to be trespassing” and who will be required to carry the proper documents to prove ones legal status. Unbelievable!
By giving police the right of “reasonable suspicion” to stop you and question you, it will legalize racial profiling and lead to further police abuse and misconduct. It is wrong, it is immoral, and it is racism at its worst. It must not be signed into law and Governor Brewer must veto it.
On the other hand if Governor Brewer refuses to listen to reason and understand why we are demanding that SB 1070 be vetoed, a BOYCOTT of any business or vacation trip to Arizona will become our weapon of choice.
If the Arizona Legislature believes it can pass such a heinous law, and Governor Brewer believes she can sign it into law and not face any repercussions, they are sadly mistaken. The day SB 1070 becomes law will the first day of a national boycott of this state. Across this nation, people of good conscience and moral values will need to make it clear that all business and vacation visits to Arizona will stop.
Tourism is big business in Arizona and we will ask Americans across this country to boycott any trips to the Grand Canyon state. We can bring this state legislature and those who voted to create a climate of fear and panic in Arizona to their knees. If Governor Brewer does not veto this bill, I can guarantee a national boycott of Arizona will break the state budget and make the governor understand the implications of her signing this bill.
We can condemn the actions of the legislature, we can condemn the Governor if she refuses to veto the bill, and we can complain all we want about how immoral and racist this bill is, but unless we make a major decision to boycott this state and impact the budget and economy of this state, nothing will happen.
We call upon Governor Brewer to veto SB 1070 and condemn this bill for its attempt to outlaw a group of people who merely want a better life, or Governor, be prepared to face the biggest and most damaging boycott in the history of Arizona.
We too have economic weapons that can be used to bring the racist state assembly to the realization that SB 1070 is not only a bad bill, an immoral bill, an illegal bill, and one that might carry with it if it is not vetoed a big bill of financial loss to the State of Arizona.
Boycott Arizona starting today, and perhaps Governor Jan Brewer will see the illegality of this bill and veto SB 1070.
******************************************************
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H.S. Power and Light Ministries. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972. He serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
*******************************************************
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Monday, April 19, 2010
It It Time to VETO Arizona SB 1070
It Is Time to VETO Arizona SB 1070
By Fidel "Butch" Montoya
It is time that members of the Latino Evangelical leadership call upon Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to veto SB 1070. This bill is one of the worst anti- immigrant bills recently passed by the Arizona State Legislature. It is a racially targeted bill aimed at anyone in Arizona who looks like an undocumented immigrant.
SB 1070 will criminalize every undocumented immigrant in Arizona as "trespassers" and will legalize racial profiling by police who have a "reasonable suspicion" that someone may be in the state without the proper documentation to provide their legal status.
In other words, the police will have the authority to stop anyone who is "Latino-looking" who they may suspect is an undocumented immigrant. If you are not carrying the proper documentation to prove your citizenship to the USA, or as a legal documented immigrant, you will be subject to being stopped by the police even if you have not violated any laws. The police will be able to stop you merely to perform an "immigration status check."
It is time the Latino Evangelical Church called upon the governor of Arizona to veto this bill which will exacerbate racial profiling. It is the worst bill on racial profiling ever passed in the United States.
The time to voice our opposition to SB 1070 is now! We cannot afford to wait and see what the repercussions may be when this bill is signed. Even if you are not a citizen of Arizona, you must voice your opposition to this vile bill. It is a bill that will discriminate against any person who police may have "reasonable suspicion" to stop you.
If you are visiting or conducting business in Arizona, the police will have the right to stop you even if you have not committed any violation of any law simply to check your immigration status.
It is a bill that Hitler would have loved to sign and see implemented.
SB 1070 will allow the police to do the following:
Criminalize all undocumented immigrants as "trespassers" in the state of Arizona. SB 1070 would subject all undocumented workers and their families to arrest and conviction for misdemeanors and in some cases felony charges for the new crime of "trespass" (reminiscent of HR 4437, the 2005 'Sensenbrenner bill').
Legalize unchecked racial profiling by police of anyone they "suspect" is undocumented.
Give police the authority to enforce federal immigration law and arrest people who cannot produce identification proving their legal residency in the U.S.
Give police the power to investigate and entrap employers for hiring undocumented workers.
Make seeking work illegal for day laborers and force all individuals, regardless of immigration status or citizenship, to carry identification papers or be subjected to detention and even deportation. Public agencies and service providers would have authority to demand identification documents from any person.
It is time to demand Arizona Governor Jan Brewer VETO this bill. The "immigration framework" recently introduced by Senator Schumer and Lindsey Graham last month and supported by President Barack Obama will allow the same kind of immigration enforcement as SB 1070. By calling for the VETO of SB 1070, we can send a strong message to the Congress that we will not accept this type of legislation, state or federal.
We cannot allow the "criminalization of immigrants" to become the law of the land.
The Schumer/Graham framework also "promises to 'fill gaps in apprehension capabilities' that will likely lead to the use of local police nationally to terrorize immigrant communities." By demanding that that SB 1070 be vetoed, we send a message to Senators Graham and Schumer that we do not support their "immigration framework" as well.
The VETO of this bill will let the President understand we will not stand idly by as laws are passed that criminalize immigrants and give the police the right to stop anyone who fits a racial profile of an "undocumented immigrant."
Go to this link http://presente.org/campaigns/arizona_a/org/nnirran and tell Gov. Brewer to VETO SB 1070 . Do it today!
It is time our voices are heard and time the Latino Evangelical Church assumed the leadership for demanding justice and righteousness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H.S. Power and Light Ministries. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972.
By Fidel "Butch" Montoya
It is time that members of the Latino Evangelical leadership call upon Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to veto SB 1070. This bill is one of the worst anti- immigrant bills recently passed by the Arizona State Legislature. It is a racially targeted bill aimed at anyone in Arizona who looks like an undocumented immigrant.
SB 1070 will criminalize every undocumented immigrant in Arizona as "trespassers" and will legalize racial profiling by police who have a "reasonable suspicion" that someone may be in the state without the proper documentation to provide their legal status.
In other words, the police will have the authority to stop anyone who is "Latino-looking" who they may suspect is an undocumented immigrant. If you are not carrying the proper documentation to prove your citizenship to the USA, or as a legal documented immigrant, you will be subject to being stopped by the police even if you have not violated any laws. The police will be able to stop you merely to perform an "immigration status check."
It is time the Latino Evangelical Church called upon the governor of Arizona to veto this bill which will exacerbate racial profiling. It is the worst bill on racial profiling ever passed in the United States.
The time to voice our opposition to SB 1070 is now! We cannot afford to wait and see what the repercussions may be when this bill is signed. Even if you are not a citizen of Arizona, you must voice your opposition to this vile bill. It is a bill that will discriminate against any person who police may have "reasonable suspicion" to stop you.
If you are visiting or conducting business in Arizona, the police will have the right to stop you even if you have not committed any violation of any law simply to check your immigration status.
It is a bill that Hitler would have loved to sign and see implemented.
SB 1070 will allow the police to do the following:
Criminalize all undocumented immigrants as "trespassers" in the state of Arizona. SB 1070 would subject all undocumented workers and their families to arrest and conviction for misdemeanors and in some cases felony charges for the new crime of "trespass" (reminiscent of HR 4437, the 2005 'Sensenbrenner bill').
Legalize unchecked racial profiling by police of anyone they "suspect" is undocumented.
Give police the authority to enforce federal immigration law and arrest people who cannot produce identification proving their legal residency in the U.S.
Give police the power to investigate and entrap employers for hiring undocumented workers.
Make seeking work illegal for day laborers and force all individuals, regardless of immigration status or citizenship, to carry identification papers or be subjected to detention and even deportation. Public agencies and service providers would have authority to demand identification documents from any person.
It is time to demand Arizona Governor Jan Brewer VETO this bill. The "immigration framework" recently introduced by Senator Schumer and Lindsey Graham last month and supported by President Barack Obama will allow the same kind of immigration enforcement as SB 1070. By calling for the VETO of SB 1070, we can send a strong message to the Congress that we will not accept this type of legislation, state or federal.
We cannot allow the "criminalization of immigrants" to become the law of the land.
The Schumer/Graham framework also "promises to 'fill gaps in apprehension capabilities' that will likely lead to the use of local police nationally to terrorize immigrant communities." By demanding that that SB 1070 be vetoed, we send a message to Senators Graham and Schumer that we do not support their "immigration framework" as well.
The VETO of this bill will let the President understand we will not stand idly by as laws are passed that criminalize immigrants and give the police the right to stop anyone who fits a racial profile of an "undocumented immigrant."
Go to this link http://presente.org/campaigns/arizona_a/org/nnirran and tell Gov. Brewer to VETO SB 1070 . Do it today!
It is time our voices are heard and time the Latino Evangelical Church assumed the leadership for demanding justice and righteousness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H.S. Power and Light Ministries. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972.
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Are we Ready to March Seven Times?
By Fidel "Butch" Montoya
Once again the Obama Administration has shown its contempt for the Latino community and its lack of political will to fix the immigration reform problem facings our country. In an obvious show of Para-military might, President Obama allowed over 800 police and law enforcement agents of ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies to conduct a series of raids throughout Arizona.
Reports from the areas raided describe a frightening scene as federal, state, and local police moving in to arrest and detain undocumented immigrants who allegedly were involved in illegal human trafficking of undocumented immigrants in the shuttle service industry.
Kat Rodriguez of Derechos Humanos called the federal raids “a massive show of force, with helicopters, dozens of agents, police vehicles, and weapons, assaulting our community in a fashion never seen before.” A show of force whose sole intention was only to intimidate, create fear and panic.
These raids are rapidly becoming the calling card of the Obama’s Administration efforts to enforce old and antiqued immigration laws. Instead of pushing for reform, we find the President more comfortable recycling the brutal enforcement polices of the Bush Administration.
President Obama who recently claimed to support the Schumer/Graham framework for immigration reform has allowed the federal government to use all of its enforcement tactics and arsenal to continue to crack down on undocumented immigrants. In fact, this administration has a worse human rights record than that of the Bush Administration when it comes to immigration enforcement and treatment.
Senator Harry Reid’s claim last week to have 56 votes in the United States Senate to move immigration reform forward seem to ring hallow compared to the Obama’s Administration’s show of disrespect to the Latino community by allowing over 800 law enforcement agents to descend on places of employment and disrupt and destroy innocent families and personal lives.
The President who claimed to have as a national key priority the issue of immigration reform has simply allowed the Department Of Homeland Security to become the Department of Fear and Bigotry.
While our President claims to be on the side of the Latino community in fixing the immigration problem, he has has allowed his Secretary of Homeland Security to become the master oppressor by allowing the largest display of federal law enforcement to suppress and intimidate our community.
Just last week in Dallas, Latino Evangelical faith leaders called upon the President to join with them in fixing the immigration problem. In a fairly soft spoken attempt at trying to rally this President to their side, the soft ball approach to the Obama Administration instead has been answered by what many are calling a complete lack of accountability by the President authorizing one of the largest raids against undocumented immigrants of his administration.
It is time to stop pretending as if this President is going to reward our community for voting for him and that we began to demand accountability of this President’s policies against creating familial separations, destroying families, and endearing itself to the evil forces of bigotry, fear, hate, and discrimination.
We need to stop counting the number of votes given to this President during the last election, and start counting anew the ones that will vote for true change and hope, not broken promises and phrases of false expectations.
While this Administration is quick to condemn the human rights violations of other third world governments, it is time that the American people understand that a government that can and will violate the rights and constitution freedoms of some will not hesitate to use that same force against others. It is time that we stood up and demanded accountability of this President and his polices of oppression.
Immigration reform leaders in Arizona are calling the massive federal raids “a new low in the Obama Administration’s lack accountability.”
We need to send the message to the President and Congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. that we are no longer going to listen to the false promises of immigration reform that come from the shallow halls of government. The half- hearted attempts to placate our efforts to find immigration reform will not be acceptable, and we must demand accountability using the mid-term elections as a means by which to register our displeasure and anger.
In Arizona where the state legislature just recently passed SB1070, a bill that essentially allows any law enforcement official who may have “a reasonable suspicion” to question anyone in the state whom they suspect may not have the proper documents to determine their immigration status is a difficult pill to swallow.
Police will have the right to stop and question anyone even if no other law has been violated. If there is “reasonable suspicion,” that you may not have the proper documentation, racial profiling will become the norm and you will be questioned.
It is under this climate of evil and anti-Latino attitudes that the President Obama ordered the largest single immigration raid in any state. President Obama has allowed governmental bureaucrats to enforce policies of the past, and has refused to implement humane and just policies that do not separate families and create fear and uncertainty in the Latino community.
He has allowed ICE to do as it pleases in enforcing its own misguided interpretation of national immigration policies to arrest, detain, and ultimately deport not hardened criminals, but men and women who support their families and whose sole attempt is to live within the framework of our United States Constitution
It is imperative that Latino Evangelical leaders reevaluate their support of a President who refuses to acknowledge that this country must fix it immigration policies and stop violating the civil rights of Latinos.
When we allow laws that encourage racial profiling and that allow the police to stop and question any person under a racial profiling standard, we are allowing our country to slide rapidly toward the brink of becoming a police state
A few years back, Latino Evangelical pastors refused to acknowledge that we would
be facing laws that allow racial profiling, where police would be raiding homes, where Gestapo type police gangs would raid workers at their jobs, where detention facilities would be big business incarcerating and detaining undocumented immigrants without due process, and where families would be separated and destroyed by our government.
We now know that we live under a government where Gestapo type police raids are becoming the norm, where big business detention contracts are routinely approved by the government without any regard to who is being jailed, where more and more undocumented immigrants in detention are being threatened or intimidated to renounce their right to due process and as a result more immigrants are being deported, and thus allowing a government that instead of nurturing families, is out to destroy them.
The raids in Arizona only demonstrated that unless we come together and demand accountability, we will surely lose this battle against the evil forces of hate and fear.
Yet, once again last week we have found that those who claim to be our friends and allies in this fight for justice and immigration reform do not share our values or beliefs.
How then can our faith leaders pretend that the policies and governance of this President are in agreement with our vision of justice and righteousness? How can we allow this government to destroy more and more families and not raise our voice in opposition to the current policies of this government?
What will it take to create within the Latino Evangelical Church the passion to stand up for ourselves and fight for justice and righteousness?
Perhaps the best summary of the events of the Obama Raid are left to Isabel Garcia of the Tucson-based Coalicion de Derechos Humanos who said, “Instead of bringing in the Department of Justice to investigate the immigration abuses and uphold our rights, the Obama Administration sics the ICE police on our communities.”
And instead of another national gathering in Washington, D.C. to march for immigration reform again, maybe it is time we gathered together instead to demand that this President stop the raids. That he instead commit to join our fight for justice and righteousness by pursuing a policy of finding a solution to the broken immigration system that allows the fiasco that occurred in Arizona to not happen again.
Perhaps it is time that Latino Evangelical leaders take the lead of demanding Presidential accountability and stop meeting in the big house, and instead marched around the walls of the White House seven times, prepared to trumpet our demands of accountability and for righteousness judgment.
Is it time to march seven times around the walls of injustice and fear?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H.S. Power and Light Ministries. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972.
Once again the Obama Administration has shown its contempt for the Latino community and its lack of political will to fix the immigration reform problem facings our country. In an obvious show of Para-military might, President Obama allowed over 800 police and law enforcement agents of ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies to conduct a series of raids throughout Arizona.
Reports from the areas raided describe a frightening scene as federal, state, and local police moving in to arrest and detain undocumented immigrants who allegedly were involved in illegal human trafficking of undocumented immigrants in the shuttle service industry.
Kat Rodriguez of Derechos Humanos called the federal raids “a massive show of force, with helicopters, dozens of agents, police vehicles, and weapons, assaulting our community in a fashion never seen before.” A show of force whose sole intention was only to intimidate, create fear and panic.
These raids are rapidly becoming the calling card of the Obama’s Administration efforts to enforce old and antiqued immigration laws. Instead of pushing for reform, we find the President more comfortable recycling the brutal enforcement polices of the Bush Administration.
President Obama who recently claimed to support the Schumer/Graham framework for immigration reform has allowed the federal government to use all of its enforcement tactics and arsenal to continue to crack down on undocumented immigrants. In fact, this administration has a worse human rights record than that of the Bush Administration when it comes to immigration enforcement and treatment.
Senator Harry Reid’s claim last week to have 56 votes in the United States Senate to move immigration reform forward seem to ring hallow compared to the Obama’s Administration’s show of disrespect to the Latino community by allowing over 800 law enforcement agents to descend on places of employment and disrupt and destroy innocent families and personal lives.
The President who claimed to have as a national key priority the issue of immigration reform has simply allowed the Department Of Homeland Security to become the Department of Fear and Bigotry.
While our President claims to be on the side of the Latino community in fixing the immigration problem, he has has allowed his Secretary of Homeland Security to become the master oppressor by allowing the largest display of federal law enforcement to suppress and intimidate our community.
Just last week in Dallas, Latino Evangelical faith leaders called upon the President to join with them in fixing the immigration problem. In a fairly soft spoken attempt at trying to rally this President to their side, the soft ball approach to the Obama Administration instead has been answered by what many are calling a complete lack of accountability by the President authorizing one of the largest raids against undocumented immigrants of his administration.
It is time to stop pretending as if this President is going to reward our community for voting for him and that we began to demand accountability of this President’s policies against creating familial separations, destroying families, and endearing itself to the evil forces of bigotry, fear, hate, and discrimination.
We need to stop counting the number of votes given to this President during the last election, and start counting anew the ones that will vote for true change and hope, not broken promises and phrases of false expectations.
While this Administration is quick to condemn the human rights violations of other third world governments, it is time that the American people understand that a government that can and will violate the rights and constitution freedoms of some will not hesitate to use that same force against others. It is time that we stood up and demanded accountability of this President and his polices of oppression.
Immigration reform leaders in Arizona are calling the massive federal raids “a new low in the Obama Administration’s lack accountability.”
We need to send the message to the President and Congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. that we are no longer going to listen to the false promises of immigration reform that come from the shallow halls of government. The half- hearted attempts to placate our efforts to find immigration reform will not be acceptable, and we must demand accountability using the mid-term elections as a means by which to register our displeasure and anger.
In Arizona where the state legislature just recently passed SB1070, a bill that essentially allows any law enforcement official who may have “a reasonable suspicion” to question anyone in the state whom they suspect may not have the proper documents to determine their immigration status is a difficult pill to swallow.
Police will have the right to stop and question anyone even if no other law has been violated. If there is “reasonable suspicion,” that you may not have the proper documentation, racial profiling will become the norm and you will be questioned.
It is under this climate of evil and anti-Latino attitudes that the President Obama ordered the largest single immigration raid in any state. President Obama has allowed governmental bureaucrats to enforce policies of the past, and has refused to implement humane and just policies that do not separate families and create fear and uncertainty in the Latino community.
He has allowed ICE to do as it pleases in enforcing its own misguided interpretation of national immigration policies to arrest, detain, and ultimately deport not hardened criminals, but men and women who support their families and whose sole attempt is to live within the framework of our United States Constitution
It is imperative that Latino Evangelical leaders reevaluate their support of a President who refuses to acknowledge that this country must fix it immigration policies and stop violating the civil rights of Latinos.
When we allow laws that encourage racial profiling and that allow the police to stop and question any person under a racial profiling standard, we are allowing our country to slide rapidly toward the brink of becoming a police state
A few years back, Latino Evangelical pastors refused to acknowledge that we would
be facing laws that allow racial profiling, where police would be raiding homes, where Gestapo type police gangs would raid workers at their jobs, where detention facilities would be big business incarcerating and detaining undocumented immigrants without due process, and where families would be separated and destroyed by our government.
We now know that we live under a government where Gestapo type police raids are becoming the norm, where big business detention contracts are routinely approved by the government without any regard to who is being jailed, where more and more undocumented immigrants in detention are being threatened or intimidated to renounce their right to due process and as a result more immigrants are being deported, and thus allowing a government that instead of nurturing families, is out to destroy them.
The raids in Arizona only demonstrated that unless we come together and demand accountability, we will surely lose this battle against the evil forces of hate and fear.
Yet, once again last week we have found that those who claim to be our friends and allies in this fight for justice and immigration reform do not share our values or beliefs.
How then can our faith leaders pretend that the policies and governance of this President are in agreement with our vision of justice and righteousness? How can we allow this government to destroy more and more families and not raise our voice in opposition to the current policies of this government?
What will it take to create within the Latino Evangelical Church the passion to stand up for ourselves and fight for justice and righteousness?
Perhaps the best summary of the events of the Obama Raid are left to Isabel Garcia of the Tucson-based Coalicion de Derechos Humanos who said, “Instead of bringing in the Department of Justice to investigate the immigration abuses and uphold our rights, the Obama Administration sics the ICE police on our communities.”
And instead of another national gathering in Washington, D.C. to march for immigration reform again, maybe it is time we gathered together instead to demand that this President stop the raids. That he instead commit to join our fight for justice and righteousness by pursuing a policy of finding a solution to the broken immigration system that allows the fiasco that occurred in Arizona to not happen again.
Perhaps it is time that Latino Evangelical leaders take the lead of demanding Presidential accountability and stop meeting in the big house, and instead marched around the walls of the White House seven times, prepared to trumpet our demands of accountability and for righteousness judgment.
Is it time to march seven times around the walls of injustice and fear?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H.S. Power and Light Ministries. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; as the Manager of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972.
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
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