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Ivan Nikolov Released from Jail but Still Faces Deportation

8:00 am By Maegan La Mala · Detriot|DREAM Act|Immigration · Comments Off

24 Aug 2010

VivirLatino has been actively supporting the DREAM Act students and have been publicizing many of their stories here. Recently, we asked for your support for Ivan Nikolov, who was transported to the local jail in Dearborn, Michigan last Friday. Dearborn is often the last stop for many undocumented immigrants before being deported. It was the last stop for Ivan’s mother, who was deported two weeks ago. It was feared that he too was going to be deported immediately. Instead, yesterday, Ivan was released.

Ivan’s struggle is not over. He is currently under electronic monitoring and still has a deportation order pending. Ivan’s struggle is just example of countless struggles, not just of students and young people, but millions of undocumented living in fear not just because there is no comprehensive immigration reform, no DREAM Act, but because the federal government has swung to the side of detaining and deporting first…all else later, if ever.

VL Libros: Lady Q: The Rise And Fall Of A Latin Queen

2 Aug 2010

***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.
Read more…

Orgs & Feds in Court Today Against SB1070

7:36 am By Maegan La Mala · arizona|Immigration|Justice|Phoenix · 4 Comments

22 Jul 2010

Today, at 10 am EST, organizations including the ACLU, MALDEF, NAACP, National Immigration Law Center (NILC), Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) – a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice – ACLU of Arizona, and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) will appear in federal court in Phoenix, Arizona, arguing that SB1070 should not go into effect while it is being fought against in the courts.

Later today, the federal government will make the same argument in the same court.

U.S. Department of Justice Issues Legal Challenge Against Arizona’s SB1070

8:17 am By Maegan La Mala · Immigration|Phoenix|Politics · 26 Comments

7 Jul 2010

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit challenging Arizona’s SB1070 before it officially takes effect at the end of this month.

The lawsuit, filed in a U.S. District Court in Phoenix, including a request for a preliminary injunction, questioning the constitutionality of the law because it interferes with federal immigration policy and enforcement. The possibility of racial/ethnic profiling is mentioned but to be clear, the law is being challenged on the grounds that the state is overstepping it’s boundaries and not allowing the Feds to pursue their own enforcement heavy immigration policy. Read the language from the official release:

“Arizonans are understandably frustrated with illegal immigration, and the federal government has a responsibility to comprehensively address those concerns,” Attorney General Holder said. “But diverting federal resources away from dangerous aliens such as terrorism suspects and aliens with criminal records will impact the entire country’s safety. Setting immigration policy and enforcing immigration laws is a national responsibility. Seeking to address the issue through a patchwork of state laws will only create more problems than it solves.”

“With the strong support of state and local law enforcement, I vetoed several similar pieces of legislation as Governor of Arizona because they would have diverted critical law enforcement resources from the most serious threats to public safety and undermined the vital trust between local jurisdictions and the communities they serve,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said. “We are actively working with members of Congress from both parties to comprehensively reform our immigration system at the federal level because this challenge cannot be solved by a patchwork of inconsistent state laws, of which this is one. While this bipartisan effort to reform our immigration system progresses, the Department of Homeland Security will continue to enforce the laws on the books by enhancing border security and removing criminal aliens from this country.”

Support Human Rights

9:26 am By la Macha · Detriot|Immigration · 2 Comments

5 Jul 2010

There have been pretty relentless ICE raids for about the past month in the area that I live. There has not been the massive round ups that have happened in other cities, but rather instead, the constant presence–the threat–has been hanging over the area, constantly reminding people of what could happen. A couple of people disappear here, a few more there–and it’s never quite enough to invoke outrage (or bring in the bad publicity of those massive raids) or mobilize the greater community.

That’s why it’s important to support smaller actions where ever we can. Ann Arbor (home of the University of Michigan) has legislation up for vote soon that would condemn SB1070. Not only is this morally good because it shows support to the people in Arizona–but it also would come within context of Michigan attempting to implement it’s own version of SB 1070.

Here is the call to action put out by the ACLU.

On Tuesday, July 6, Ann Arbor City Council will consider a resolution urging the repeal of Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070. Adoption of this resolution, sponsored by Council members Sabra Briere and Sandi Smith, will make Ann Arbor the first Michigan city to go on record against the anti-immigrant law. Read the resolution draft here >>

Arizona SB 1070 requires local law enforcement to investigate a person’s immigration status based on only the vague notion of “reasonable suspicion” that the person is in the Country unlawfully. Not only does this law invite racial profiling, it forces local police to redirect scarce resources away from the prevention of serious crime.

Michigan’s House and Senate have recently introduced copycat legislation. Michigan cities should go on record opposing such dangerous, unfair and discriminatory laws that run counter to the American values of freedom and equality.

Using the form below, tell Ann Arbor City Council members, Mayor Hieftje and City Attorney Stephen Postema that you support this resolution and that Ann Arbor should continue its long tradition of support for human rights through its adoption.

Please sign and support the petition–it’s a little thing, but it may wind up meaning something huge to the people who are being terrorized by ICE.

Thanks.

In Custody in Tennessee? Show Me Your Papers Please.

8:49 am By Maegan La Mala · Immigration|Nashville · 1 Comment

30 Jun 2010

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen signed into law House Bill 670, which requires any person arrested in the state to be able to prove legal status within three days or else la migra gets called in.

The only way a county can be exempt is if they already have an immigration enforcement agreement with the Feds like 287(g) or Secure Communities.

This law has the potential of looking like it’s not as bad as other measures because it would only impact “bad” people, that is people arrested for committing a crime. Of course this simplistic binary approach assumes that every arrest in the United States is conducted in good faith without an ounce of racial profiling involved.

We must also remember that Tennessee already has the fear of I.C.E. within the immigrant community there as evidenced by the terror of the Gurrolla familia.
Sources : Border Action Network, Memphis Commercial Appeal,

Medios Caminantes: Medios creando, fronteras derrumbando at the 2010 AMC

10:03 am By Maegan La Mala · Allied Media Conference|Detriot|Immigration · Comments Off

23 Jun 2010

One of the tracks I was excited to see spring forth from the work at last year’s Allied Media Conference was a Spanish language track that centered the work of media makers working in Spanish.

Medios Caminantes: Medios creando, fronteras derrumbando
Coordinators: Palabra Radio and Peoples Production House

Medios Caminantes, es el primer espacio de habla hispana en la historia de la AMC, producto del esfuerzo colaborativo que se desarrolló en la reunión durante el AMC2009, facilitada por Palabra Radio y Peoples Production House.

Medios Caminantes, esta buscando apoyar y avanzar en la promoción de medios de comunicación basados en la organización de la comunidad inmigrante latina y del caribe radicados en los Estados Unidos. Enfocados en construir una red de medios comunitarios hispanos, este espacio promoverá el intercambio de recursos y modelos de organización entre los mismos participantes (Organizadores y creadores). Durante el AMC2010, Medios Caminantes nos enfocaremos en compartir e intercambiar las habilidades radiales en talleres practicos y talleres sobre como usar la radio como herramienta de organización; Medios Caminantes tambien tendrá un foro abierto para compartir los diferenetes modelos sobre como usar la creación de medios para empoderar a la comunidad inmigrante de habla hispana y generar ideas para la continuidad de este espacio.

- – -

Medios Caminantes, the AMC’s first Spanish-language media track, was initiated during the Spanish-language caucus, hosted by Palabra Radio and People’s Production House during AMC2009 .

Medios Caminantes will support and advance Spanish-language media-based organizing in Latin@ and Caribbean immigrant communities throughout the U.S. With a focus on building a Spanish-language community media network, this track will promote the exchange of resources and organizing models between Spanish-speaking media organizers. Medios Caminantes will focus on the sharing and exchange of radio communication skills with hands-on production trainings, workshops on how to use radio as an organizing tool, and a radio building workshop. Medios Caminantes will also have an open forum to discuss models for using media to empower the Spanish-speaking community and to generate ideas for next year’s track.

Mala’s Home from Detroit

6:55 am By Maegan La Mala · Allied Media Conference|Detriot · 1 Comment

22 Jun 2010

Sorry for not posting more when I was at the Allied Media Conference. It felt really hard to be fully present with other people and pair it properly with the desire to document, blog, and tweet.

Also it just tends to take me a little bit to get back into sorts after conferences. I’m not exactly sure why. A space like the AMC with so many people I do love and people I love not being there, plus the energy required to take in information and give out information with a three year old there is a little overwhelming. Slowly, today, I will start to look through the videos and fotos and discuss some of the amazing conversations and thoughts I had while in Detroit, a city that I love every year more and more.

I love all of you VivirLatin@ familia as well.

Special love for INCITE! and Allied Media Projects for helping a mami and her child attend and be as present. May I and the universe find a way to repay you 10 times over.

xoxox

Mala Says Good Morning from Detroit, Good Morning from the AMC

6:42 am By Maegan La Mala · Allied Media Conference|Detriot|Immigration · 1 Comment

18 Jun 2010

Mala and her three year old assistant, arrived in Detroit safe and sound. Late, but safe and sound. Today will be the first day of coverage and participation of the Allied Media Conference, a gathering of global independent media makers who tend to consider themselves on the more “radical” side of the spectrum, so yes I kind of feel at home.

So far I’ve run into amazing mujer/hermanas in the struggle. I’m looking at you Anjeli, TK and part of the Make/Shift crew.

So far my plan is to get some breakfast and then go to this workshop which sounds right up VivirLatino’s alley:

Seattle Police, I Think We Have a Problem

1:57 pm By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Seattle|Violence · 16 Comments

16 Jun 2010

Trigger warning: the video below contains violence against an unarmed civilian teenager of color. There is also nsfw language.

It was only a month ago that video emerged showing a Seattle police officer brutally beating a Latino and using anti-Mexican slurs.

Now another video showing a Seattle Police Officer punching an unarmed teenager in the face during an attempt to restrain a group of young women for jaywalking. You know that horribly violent crime of jaywalking that ruins lives?

Take a look at the video:
Read more…

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