Early yesterday morning in Minnesota, 30 supporters gathered outside of a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement office for the self-deportation of European immigrants.
Robert Erickson claimed that as a European Immigrant he is part of the group of people who are responsible for the largest genocide in history committed against the Native peoples of the “Americas” and that he and his immigrant ancestors never obtained any legal status from the people who were inhabiting this land before they colonized it for their own self-serving purposes.
I’m really loving this Robert Erickson guy and his ability to dissect the immigration issue in a way that is not only comedic, but powerful. Last week, we saw him punk an ‘anti-amnesty tea party’ (if you missed it, you should check it out).
This week, he led a group of 30 or so protestors as he approached Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers asking to be deported because:
Illegal immigration has been a blemish on the face of America for hundreds of years, and the time has come to set things right.
Now let me be clear! I’m not against legal immigration. If these Illegal Europeans want to get in line and apply for citizenship with the tribal counsel like everybody else, they’re more than welcome to! But there will be no shortcuts, or special privileges for the perpetrators of genocide!
Erickson picks apart the notion of what “illegal immigration” means, turning the definition on its head and calling for reparations to be made to the Native Americans of Minnesota.
Dakota people now retain less than 1% of their original homelands, so one thing you can do is to donate money as reparations to the Dakota people, to help them raise funds to buy back some of their land for traditional cultural activities.
Regardless of how you feel about Erickson’s actions or where you fall in the spectrum of this debate, he is exposing the underlying racism of the vitriol aimed at ‘the illegals’ and the connection of the current debate to pivotal moments in American history.
In San Francisco, around 250 people demonstrated outside of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office. The rally was organized in reaction to the Senate’s version of the health care reform bill that excludes undocumented immigrants from purchasing insurance with their own money and reinstates the five year bar for legal immigrants’ access to care.
EunSook Lee, Executive Director of NAKASEC spoke to the crowd about their common purpose:
Unfortunately, the Senate bill released last week falls far short of the House bill with regards to immigrant inclusion. Once again, immigrants continue to become the scapegoats and, if not corrected, this will result in a poisoning of the health care debate and the blocking of the real progress Americans need. Speaker Nancy Pelosi demonstrated pivotal leadership by standing strong against pressure from both sides of the aisle and the White House to exclude people from health reform. Today we are here in San Francisco representing millions of people in this country in support of health reform and urging her to remain strong.
Meanwhile, on the East coast, around 40 activists from CASA de Maryland and NAKASEC gathered outside of the infamous Representative Joe Wilson’s office to protest the scapegoating of immigrants that Wilson ignited with his “You lie” outburst during a joint session of Congress this September.
I love that the protestors outside of Joe Wilson’s office directly ask staffers how it makes sense to deny them the right to buy insurance with their own money, while still paying taxes and contributing positively to our country. The staffers have no idea what just hit them.
This weekend, the Senate voted to open up debate on health care reform. Now is a critical time and with the possibility of compromises ahead, we want to make sure that immigrant inclusion is a part of any reform bill that goes to vote.
After the infamous Joe Wilson outburst last month, immigration has yet again become a flashpoint in the debate. At the moment, the Senate’s version of the bill will include a bar for any undocumented immigrant to even purchase health insurance with their own money and no federal subsidies. This is something I still can’t wrap my head around.
It [is] an insane argument on more than one level. Illegal immigrants are currently permitted to purchase a quart of milk at the corner grocery. Should that activity be banned, too? If an illegal immigrant showed up at an emergency room with a burst appendix, should that person be left to die? [via Slate]
When Congress and the administration allow the Joe Wilson’s of the world to set the tone of the debate, it will be the most vulnerable populations that are thrown under the bus.
Today, at 4pm, FIRM groups NAKASEC &KRCLA are leading a rally in front of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s office to urge her to protect immigrant inclusion in health care reform.
We will have videos and pictures to update you throughout the day.
Today, we’re releasing a new video that features Congressman Luis Gutierrez unveiling his principles for reform in October, and which calls on all of us to help build the movement for real immigration reform:
We all know our immigration system needs fixing.
Immigration has been used as a wedge to obstruct progress on everything from the Stimulus to health care reform— even the 2010 Census. There are many skeptics out there who believe Congress doesn’t have what it takes to pass reform in 2010 – or that even if they have what it takes, they don’t have the nerve to do it.
But just last week, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano reinforced the administration’s commitment to reform, laying out the details for why this push is different, and why we need to get it done.
What’s more, the national movement for real immigration reform is growing—and we are only getting bigger.
On Wednesday night, there were over 1,000 house parties in 45 states, with supporters gathered together anxiously to hear what they could do to help make reform a reality. All across the country, people are primed and ready to do whatever it takes to win this battle, and if you are not one of those people, now is the time to join the fight.
Watch our new video, sign up for the text message network, and help spread the word today.
In 2007, opponents of immigration reform took credit for stopping legislation in its tracks, overwhelming Congressional offices with a flood of angry phone calls and faxes. They took control of the debate and scared the pants off of vulnerable members of Congress.
This time around will be different, but it will take all of us to make real immigration reform a reality.
This week’s post from our guest blogger Robert Gittelson:
I, along with some 60,000 like minded comprehensive immigration reform advocates, attended one of the town hall parties last night. At the event that I was involved in, at CARECEN in Los Angeles, we numbered over 60 apt listeners, (and one of the featured speakers, Angelica Salas of CHIRLA). It was quite an uplifting and inspiring event. As updates were announced indicating the vast volume of listeners, you could see delighted and frankly surprised faces throughout our crowd. To say that we have momentum and that we are poised to advance the cause of CIR to victory could very well understate the facts on the ground. From the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign blog:
“There were 1,009 house parties in 45 states and Puerto Rico that gathered to join the town hall with Representative Luis Gutierrez. More than 60,000 people called in, joined house parties or listened to live radio broadcasts.”
While the content of the event was not so much news as it was a call to action, it is noteworthy that Rep. Gutierrez did promise to introduce his CIR bill in Congress sometime in December of this year.
It might be equally noteworthy to mention that Angelica Salas mentioned the startling fact that the “anti” e-mails and faxes to Congress outnumbered those of CIR proponents by 20-1, a fact which directly contributed to the failure of the bill in 2007. Much of the meeting centered around a discussion of how we plan to turn that figure around this time.
And yet, I must mention that while calls, faxes, texts, and e-mails are going to be hugely important in this fight, I want to caution my fellow advocates that there will be much more to a victorious strategy than the blunt instrument of overwhelming support from within.
… with many events attracting 10-15 people and none attracting crowds of any significance. This shows what smart political operatives in both parties have known for some time: the anti-immigrant movement is running out of gas, and never had as much fuel as they made believe. [via America's Voice]
In stark contrast, the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign has managed to harness the grassroots energy of immigration reform advocates and organize over 900 house parties nationwide tonight! The parties will be held to participate in a national telephonic town hall where Rep. Luis Gutierrez will be laying out his plans for an immigration reform bill and the next steps in the fight to win.
This represents some serious people power on the ground with enough momentum to keep pressure on Congress and push for legislation in 2010. This grassroots energy, coupled with last week’s remarks from DHS Sec. Janet Napolitano about hope for reform in 2010 and David Axelrod’s recent comments about the progress being made, makes me feel truly energized for the fight ahead.
I know there are skeptics and I know there are those that feel like the inside-the-beltway-orgs have it all wrong in our approach, but the bottom line is this: there are thousands of people who want to make this legislation a reality, and tonight, they are going to come together to strategize on just how to make that happen. And that’s powerful, no matter where you stand.
This past Saturday, ALIPAC, an extremist anti-immigrant organization based in my home state of North Carolina, hosted their ‘anti-amnesty tea parties’ across the country. (Its worth noting that I will use quote marks every time I call these ‘tea parties’. The anti-amnesty crowd does not legitimately represent the teabaggers.)
From the ‘Against Amnesty’ site:
President Obama along with Republican and Democrat DC insiders are preparing a mass ‘Comprehensive’ Amnesty for illegal immigrants in America that will provide a path to citizenship and turn illegal aliens into voters even though a vast majority of Americans oppose this.
Interestingly enough, this “vast majority” of America only equaled a grand total of 53 parties. Yes, that VAST MAJORITY (caps make it more believable) seems to be a small fringe.
One of the parties, in Minnesota, has gained a bit more coverage than others. In the best prank I’ve seen since the billionares for wealthcare in DC, an activist calling himself “Robert Erickson” got up in front of the crowd and gave a rousing speech about sending the illegals all home. The twist – he was talking about European immigrants.
Here’s an excerpt.
It’s no secret that with an invasion of immigrants comes waves of crime. We see them involved in massive theft, in murder, and bringing diseases like smallpox, which is responsible for the death of millions of Americans.
I say it’s time for us to say enough is enough! Are you with me? Are you with me? Let’s send these European immigrants back where they came from! I don’t care if they are Polish, Irish, English, Italian, or Norwegian! European immigrants are responsible for the most violent and heinous crimes in the history of the world, including genocide and slavery! It’s time to restore the sovereignty of people native to this land!
The crowd seems to never catch on and by the end they are chanting “Go home, Columbus!” with some serious energy. Hilarious.
What isn’t so hilarious is the reaction of the ‘tea partiers’.
According to Sally Jo Soreson at BlueStem Prarie, the party goers began violently attacking the counter protestors after they (slowly) realized they had been punked.
Unfortunately, some of the pro-MINN-SIR audience made up for what they lacked in humor through the use of violence. Both Danielson and I saw middle-aged men attack young protesters, knocking one off a bike before he started throwing punches at the young man.
Just as shocking was the reaction of the state police working the rally, who pushed back those being attacked, rather than those attacking the counter protesters.
Those of us involved in the fight for immigration reform have been saying for a while that the violence and hate we saw at the health care town halls will be nothing compared to what is to come from these extremists once immigration legislation hits the floor.
The silver lining? These people are the extreme fringe. Despite ALIPAC’s attempts to latch on to the seeming momentum of the “tea parties”, they can’t seem to make themselves relevant. That’s because, they aren’t. Period.
They don’t represent the majority of America, no matter HOW many capital letters the cram into their blog posts and websites.
Just to give you an idea: the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign that is pushing for a comprehensive reform to our immigration policy, is also organizing house parties. To date, there are over 650 of such parties happening across the country on November 18th.
Hmmmm… last time I checked 650 > 53. And humane and sensible solutions > loud vitriolic anti-immigrant hate fervor.
“If Alexandria’s event was an indication of how popular anti-immigration tea parties are, ALIPAC has much work to do between now and next spring when the organization plans to combat the Democrats comprehensive immigration reform drive.”
This morning Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano (or as I lovingly call her – J Nap) spoke about immigration reform at the Center for American Progress. While I wasn’t able to attend, I followed along via Twitter thanks to America’s Voice and Voto Latino.
Though much of Sec. Napolitano’s perspective emphasized enforcement – no shock there – she also stated that she is hopeful about immigration reform in early 201o. This is welcome news amidst a lot of speculation and pessimism as to whether reform will even come up for debate early next year. Sec. Napolitano noted that much has changed this time around in the debate. Perhaps the most notable is the new allies joining in the fight for reform.
Here’s the other thing that has shifted in this debate: a larger segment of the American public has embraced the need to engage this debate and arrive at a sensible solution to this problem.
There are leaders of the law enforcement community speaking out, saying that immigration reform is vital to their ability to do their jobs keeping Americans safe. Faith leaders, including the National Association of Evangelicals, have announced their support for immigration reform as a moral and practical issue. We are seeing more business leaders and more labor leaders engaged in this debate in a constructive way than we have ever seen before.
These constituencies have all arrived at the same conclusion that prevails among the American people: this is a problem that needs to be fixed—and the best way to ensure that we can uphold our laws is to make sure our laws are rational and enforceable.
This is a huge point of strength that shows hope for immigration reform efforts in 2010. We have new communities and constituencies on our side and they aren’t just the same old familiar faces. The anti’s who have been screaming for years about law and order now have to answer to law enforcement officials who are chiming in to say that they can’t enforce the laws on the books because those laws are outdated. Business leaders and the Labor community, who before have had a tenuos relationship with immigration reform efforts are fully on board this time around, with a plan for how this reform will boost both the economy and the rights of workers across the board.
In short, its a different landscape for immigration reform in 2010. There is the support for this legislation, but we must keep pressure on Congress to act.
The President is committed to this issue because the need for immigration reform is so clear. This Administration does not shy away from taking on the big challenges of the 21st century, challenges that have been ignored too long and hurt our families and businesses. When Congress is ready to act, we will be ready to support them.
With Representative Luis Gutierrez hosting a National town hall on immigration reform next week – and thousands of people participating across the country – its clear that there are champions in Congress who are ready to move on this issue.
So, Chuck Schumer, where you at? Who wants to start sending him calendars as per suggestions last week? You promised us a bill and we’re ready to see it.
Tonight, Lou Dobbs hosted his last show ever on CNN. Yes, our dear friend Lou has officially resigned from the nation’s ‘most trusted name in news’ to bring his special blend of xenophobia and hate-mongering elsewhere.
This is incredible news and due in no small part to the efforts of the Drop Dobbs and Basta Dobbs campaigns who have put increasingly more pressure on CNN to fire Lou.
Check out his goodbye speech in the clip below. I love when he says that
“issues are now defined in the public arena by partisanship and ideology rather than by rigorous empirical thought and forthright analysis and discussion.”
I wonder if by forthright analysis he means spreading lies about the waves of immigrants infecting Americans with leprosy without a single shred of factual evidence to back it up.
But, I digress. Here’s Lou:
This marks a big victory in the fight against hate and anti-immigrant fervor in our country, but its only one small step in the right direction. Lou will, inevitably, find another pulpit from which to spout his dangerous rhetoric, and we will continue to counter with the truth and justice on our side.
But for now, mark one for the good guys.
As Eric Burns, president of Media Matters said:
“This is a happy day for all those who care about this nation of immigrants and believe in the power of media to elevate the political discourse.”
Yesterday, a video of Chuck Norris being interviewed by Geraldo Rivera was making the rounds. The clip shows Chuck Norris – yes the same Chuck Norris who has counted to infinity, twice – talking about his ideas for immigration reform.
Check it out:
Not that I have ever doubted Chuck Norris’ superhuman powers (the man can slam a revolving door, after all) but since he is a very well known uber-Conservative advocate and supporter of GOPers like Mike Huckabee, I kind of assumed his stance on immigration would be less, I don’t know, sensible.
But Chuck Norris seems pretty down to earth about the issue in this clip. While I don’t necessarily support his “plan”, its a breath of fresh air to hear him acknowledge that undocumented immigrants are real people who are living in this country and trying to make a better life for themselves. It stands in stark contrast to the vitriol of folks who insist that undocumented immigrants are all criminals, out to kill the “America” we know and love.
Its worth noting that Chuck Norris thinks Mike Huckabee, his personal friend who he backs politically, would be open to a pathway to legalization for undocumented immigrants living in the United States.
There are few things in this world more comforting than the smell of my grandmother's house. #fb21 hours ago
Want to blog on loud dobbs' new stance towards that 'amnesty' he blasted for so long. But I'm on the road. Grr. Send posts my way, tweeps! 22 hours ago
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Early yesterday morning in Minnesota, 30 supporters gathered outside of a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement office for the self-deportation of European immigrants. Robert Erickson claimed that as a European Immigrant he is part of the group of people who are responsible for the largest genocide in history committed against the Native peoples of the […]
Yesterday, immigrant rights groups took direct action to law makers on both coasts of the country. With the Senate reopening debate on health care reform, the current version of the bill being debated will once again throw immigrants (both documented and undocumented) under the bus. In San Francisco, around 250 people demonstrated outside of Speaker Nancy […]
This weekend, the Senate voted to open up debate on health care reform. Now is a critical time and with the possibility of compromises ahead, we want to make sure that immigrant inclusion is a part of any reform bill that goes to vote. After the infamous Joe Wilson outburst last month, immigration has yet again [...]
On Wednesday night, 60,000 people joined what was an incredible call to action on overhauling our nation’s broken immigration laws. Today, we’re releasing a new video that features Congressman Luis Gutierrez unveiling his principles for reform in October, and which calls on all of us to help build the movement for real immigration reform: We all know [...] […]
This week’s post from our guest blogger Robert Gittelson: I, along with some 60,000 like minded comprehensive immigration reform advocates, attended one of the town hall parties last night. At the event that I was involved in, at CARECEN in Los Angeles, we numbered over 60 apt listeners, (and one of the featured speakers, Angelica [...]
