I was unable to listen to the live coverage on KPFK. I was working (
public interaction - no radio access) but I did notive that the Car Show
guys began their program with more jabber about car racing...
Official L.A. police estimates were around 100,000, but I assume
there were more than that. In Phoenix on Friday there were at least
20,000 and in Columbus, Ohio today we had around 2,000.
I spent the week in Mexico having dental work done ( I can
recommend a FABULOUS dentist in Puerto Penasco - the costs are about 25%
of U.S. prices and the dentists in Mexico are generally better, gentler
and quicker) and on the way back I found a spot where undocumented
immigrants have hidden from border patrol agents as they make the
dangerous exodus to Phoenix. The terrain ( partly in the Tohona O'dham
nation) is completely without water and it's difficult for walking. This
spot - about 20 miles from the border afforded only a tree and some
rocks or shelter and yet there were abandoned water jugs and carrying
straps and empty food cans from many visits. It's another 70 miles to
the nearest town of any size - a good 2 days walk at a minimum.
It occurs to me that politicians that pretend to appeal to
Latino/a voters but who really represent the usual owning class
white-privilege interests as 99% of the Democrats don't really want the
INVOLVEMENT of the Latino/as so much as their complicity and their
silence. This week Latino/as across the country broke the silence. Now
we need a strategy for withholding complicity at the ballot box in order
to exert political pressure on the candidate that are allowed to pass
through the Democratic gauntlet. In Columbus we get lip service from
our Black mayor but a very qualified and community oriented Latino
candidate who has tried to get nominated for several judgeships and a
city council seat gets passed-over time and again in favor of
"electable" ( read; stuffed-shirt establishment elisist - types of
fairer hue). So let's hope this is the start of a new level of
organization and commitment for the Latino/a community nationally as it
finds its strength and eboldens its demands ( and also the start of a
deeper solidarity on the part of the usually insular "progressive"
movement and by that I mean the rest of us).
Evan
L. Mirza wrote:
> This was an amazing and inspiring demonstration
> yesterday in Los Angeles! I have never seen such a
> large demonstration in Los Angeles. The media
> estimated there were at least half a million there.
> I'd venture to say, there were much more.
>
> It is now apparent that this nation of immigrants have
> spoken and have spoken with humanity and wisdom. I've
> never been so proud of our city until yesterday when
> so many went out in the streets to tell this
> government they do not want their hard earned tax
> dollars used to build an apartheid wall between the US
> and the Mexico border. It shows how we value an open
> border and society and the people who come to work and
> contribute to the well being of all of us. Finally, it
> shows understanding of the double standard and racism
> since no one has ever suggested that the same wall be
> constructed between the Canadian and US border.
>
> I wasn't able to be there but all the members of my
> large extended family, including my grandchildren were
> there.
>
> Nor am I able to attend the PNB meeting this weekend,
> so I'd appreciate it if someone who was able to be
> there to let us know on this list what occured.
>
> Loraine
> = = = = = = = = = = =
> Read "Internment Camps of Bangladesh," by Loraine Mirza
> Published by Crescent International Newspapers, Inc.
> 300 Steelcase Road West, Unit 8, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 2W2
> "The story of a long-suffering people told with compassion and sensitivity.
> All who care for justice must read this book. Loraine Mirza, an American
> Muslim print and broadcast journalist, has written this remarkable account of
> the 'Stranded Pakistanis,' trapped in internment camps in Bangladesh since
> 1972." (Zafar Bangash, Director of Institute of Contemporary Islamic Thought.)
> For more information:
> e-mail: haq_for_u@xxxxxxxxxxx
> info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> crescent@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> crescent.uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Visit web sites: www.statelesspeopleinbangladesh.net
> www.OBATHelpers.org
> www.muslimedia.com
> www.ihrc.org
>
>
> New Pacifica Working Group
> http://www.egroups.com/group/NewPacifica
> 'Save Our Stations!'
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
New Pacifica Working Group
http://www.egroups.com/group/NewPacifica
'Save Our Stations!'
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NewPacifica/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
NewPacifica-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/