Why I am Backing Raul Grijalva
By
Rodolfo F. Acuña
On Saturday, September 18, 2010, from 1-4 pm, a group of us are sponsoring a fund raiser for Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva. I have been asked by many of you what is so special about Grijalva. We know that California is in bad shape and in a year when the ground work for reapportionment is being laid, we are in danger of losing the governorship and the U.S. Senate races. However, what is happening to us in Arizona affects us as a people.
What makes Arizona and Grijalva so special is the enormity of the threat. Twenty-two other states are lined up to follow Arizona's example and to propose legislation that would single and isolate us as a people.
The actors there are Joe Arpaio, Jan Brewer, Russell Pearce and Tom Horne, characters that give the human race a bad name. They are backed by the Tea Partiers, neo-Nazis and the billionaire Koch brothers.
I have been to Arizona several times, and I was struck by the fact that Chicano federal representatives have been intimidated and have remained mute. Many agencies have also decided not to call attention to their organizations fearing that the right might challenge their 501 C2 status.
Raul Grijalva is the exception. He has not remained silent; he has spoken out in defense of the foreign born and against racism. Grijalva has taken the leadership in challenging SB1070, calling for the state boycott. He has appeared numerous times on CNN. And is the recognized leader in this struggle.
VDARE, named after Virginia Dare, the first white baby born in the colonies, has said: "One of the loudest Arizona opponents of SB 1070 is MEChA alumnus Rep. Raul Grijalva [Email him], who opposes secure voter ID as a nefarious Republican plot. American Patrol has a whole archive devoted to him…Grijalva is ready to betray his own state to defeat the law, calling the rest of the country to boycott Arizona. Speaking to a rally of thousands in Arizona, Grijalva boasted that 'We're going to overturn this unjust and racist law, and then we're going to overturn the power structure that created this unjust, racist law.'"
For years, I have operated under the principle that the core must be strengthened; Arizona is presently the core of our movement. If we allow representatives such as Grijalva to be singled out, others will be bullied into silence. By strengthening him and giving him support we will emboldened others to speak out.
You do not defend your interests by backing down from bullies. That is why we are asking for your support. We realize that you may be short on cash, but we encourage you to attend the September 18th event. Aside from helping build a war chest, we want as many people as possible to connect with what is happening in Arizona. It is your family!
We do not want a repetition of the repatriation of the 1930s, the sailor riots of the 1940s, Operation Wetback in the 1950s and the Chicano Moratorium. We have the numbers and we should start to use them.
Aside from the campaign against SB1070 we will be hosting la Raza Studies from the Tucson Unified School District a week later. This program has shows a way to stem the dropout problem and now the nativist in Arizona have passed HB2281 to ban ethnic studies. It is directed at us. They are also calling for the censorship of books. I am called unpatriotic because I write that the United States invaded Mexico—a historical fact.
We hope to see you on September 18, 1-4 pm at the Alexandria Hotel, Spring and 5th Streets. Students will be there to greet you. Give what you can—more important show solidarity.
WE ARE ALL ARIZONANS
REMINDER FOR SATURDAY'S EVENT
In supporting the re-election of
CONGRESSMAN RAúL M. GRIJALVA
from Arizona
Invocation: Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ, Homeboy Industries
For more than 35 years, Congressman Grijalva has built an exceptional record of public/community service and leadership. He has been a vocal leader and advocate on immigrant rights, education, labor and the environment. Presently, he is Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Education Task Force, Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Vice Chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus. He is also a member of several other Congressional Caucuses including the Armenian, Asian Pacific American and Native American Caucuses.
"Grijalva Doesn't Back Down," - LA Times, 5-24-2010
Grijalva is "Lone Lobo" Against SB 1070, -Latino Perspectives, 8-5-2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
1:00-4:00 P.M.
Alexandria Hotel
501 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Valet Parking on Spring Street
$7.00
Parking entrance next to Restaurant Ensenada with direct elevator access to the hotel.
Contact Information
acu518@earthlink.net / 818-831-0453 & gbuelna@sbcglobal.net
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