This past weekend, the 10th anti-Mexican attack in about four months happened in Port Richmond, Staten Island.
In this latest attack, a 17 year old coming home from work in the early morning hours was beaten, robbed of 10 dollars and called anti-Mexican slurs. NY1 News television is reporting that a suspect is in custody. That suspect a 15 year old African American teenager.
Regardless of what parts of SB1070 are in effect or not, the lack of Congressional will to push Comprehensive Immigration Reform and/or the DREAM Act means that familias continue to be at risk. Take for example the latest struggle from the DREAM Activist peeps. Marlene, a mother of two small children in Arizona, woke up one night and was detained by 10 armed deputies. Marlene’s husband is a legal permanent resident and hew two children are U.S. citizens. Her situation highlights the struggles of so-called mixed status families.
It pains me to see these stories coming through and that we have to fight case by case, one by one, mujer by mujer, madre by madre instead of being able to take care of entire communities.
Porfa, sign the petition to keep Marlene’s family together. And consider the following actions as well :
1. Call Rep. Grijalva (202-225-2435) and ask that he introduce a private bill on behalf of Marlen. Ask that he contact DHS and ICE immediately urging them to stop Marlen’s deportation.
2. Call Rep. Gutierrez (202-225-8203) and ask that he also introduce a private bill on behalf of Marlen. Ask that he contact DHS and ICE immediately urging them to stop Marlen’s deportation. Script for members of congress:
“Hi, my name is ____. I am calling about Marlen Moreno. She is a bright and talented DREAMer from Arizona. She is married to a legal resident and has two U.S. citizen children, but yet still faces an August 8th deportation. I am calling to ask that the representative step up to the plate and introduce a private bill for Marlen, in addition to directly contacting John Morton and Janet Napolitano, urging the both of them to immediately halt Marlen’s deportation. Please do not allow for Marlen to be deported! Thank you.”
3. Call Janet Napolitano, Director of Department of Homeland Security, and leave comments of support for Marlen and also ask that DHS stop her deportation: 202-282-8495
**note this is an answering machine, once it is full it is out of commission for day. Fill it up now with Marlen calls.
4. Call Assistant Secretary to ICE, John Morton and leave a message urging him to take action and defer Marlen’s deportation: 202.732.3000 **Note this is a live comment line, i.e. a human being will pick up and take your message.
***Trigger Warning***
When my homegirl Nilki asked me if I’d like to review the book Lady Q: The Rise And Fall Of A Latin Queen, I said “of course!” It’s rare when our stories are told in general, especially in book form, and specifically as testimonio. What is also a rarity is hearing from Latinas who are involved or associated with gangs in the US. Often there is this idea that we should not hear such stories because it gives “us a bad name.” Or such narratives focus on such a negative aspect of our community. My opinion is that there is positive, there is negative, there is struggle and redemption and all of those stories must be shared, heard, and valued.
I received a free copy of the book for review through the Condor Book Tour, and I must say as a disclaimer that the opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.
Before I begin this review I must state my bias: I do not see all gangs as negative aspects or parts of communities. I have worked with youth for over two decades and in that time have worked directly with youth involved or associated with various gangs. In that work I’ve learned a lot about my own social justice agenda, ways to mentor youth, and how to help young people learn about self-determination without lecturing, bullying or judging them.
