Activists and civil rights groups weigh in on arrest beating video

Outrage mounted Tuesday to the video broadcast of Houston police officers beating a teenage burglary suspect, with several activists and civil rights groups holding a town hall meeting and news conferences to demand tougher and more open disciplinary procedures aimed at curbing police brutality.

For full article, click here

Posted by J.A.Zzenith

Senator Klye Blasts Az Sheriff

WASHINGTON -- Some of the most pointed comments in the wake of Saturday's tragic shooting in Arizona regarding the dangers of vitriolic political discourse have come from Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, who said his state has "become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry." As a consequence of speaking out, Dupnik is now coming under attack, with a talk radio host even calling for his resignation.

For article, click here.

[posted by Prof. Montejano]

Groups prepare to rally against Arizona law March in Santa Fe set for International Workers Day

New Mexico-
Across the country, people are organizing to celebrate workers and to speak against Arizona's illegal immigration law that Gov. Jan Brewer signed last Friday.

In Santa Fe, several people gathered at Somos un Pueblo Unido after work Wednesday night to make posters, noisemakers and sew outfits, all in preparation for a march scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Groups-decry-Arizona--law--prepare-to-rally


[posted by Laura Ibarra]

AZ's immigration law polarizes NM politics

New Mexico-

Arizona's immigration law is impacting New Mexico politics, where a new campaign ad for governor is scorching the airwaves.

"Criminals take advantage of weak laws," says the ad endorsing republican candidate for governor, Susana Martinez, "like giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants-- as governor that will change."

The ad began airing while civil rights activists held big protests in Arizona, denouncing the new law as an unconstitutional attempt to allow police to use racial profiling to target Hispanics.

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S1531170.shtml?cat=513

[posted by Laura Ibarra]

Teenagers' Violent 'Sport' Led to Killing on Long island Officials Say

In Riverhead, N.Y. a couple of friends roamed the city playing a sport which they named Mexican-hoping or beaner hoping. They mainly looked for Hispanics to attack but mainly Mexicans because they felt these people were easy targets who would not speak of the attack. The teenagers were charged with attacking or trying to attack six Hispanic men. One of the attackers, Jeffrey Conroy, 19, attacked Ecuadorean immigrant, Marcelo Lucero. The fatal stabbing of Mr. Lucero shocked many on Long Island and focused new attention on assaults and harassment of Latinos in the area.



Janeth Tapia

Tough Arizona Bill Signed into Law

Hours after Obama called it "misguided", Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed a bill that is considered to be one of the toughest immigration enforcement laws in the country. According to CNN:

"The bill requires immigrants to carry their alien registration documents at all times and requires police to question people if there is reason to suspect that they’re in the United States illegally. It also targets those who hire illegal immigrant day laborers or knowingly transport them.

The Republican governor also issued an executive order that requires additional training for local officers on how to implement the law without engaging in racial profiling or discrimination."

Today’s event comes over a week after the bill was first introduced,causing outrage among many immigrants’ rights groups. Many Latino members of Congress are also upset, including Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Arizona, and Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Illinois, and had asked Brewer to veto the measure.

But according to the article, many Arizona natives are in favor of the bill due to what they see as poor existing enforcement measures:

{posted by Victoria Bell}

Farmers Branch legal costs over ordinance on renting to illegal immigrants may go up $1.13 million

07:31 AM CDT on Wednesday, April 28, 2010

By DIANNE SOLIS/The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/042710dnmetfblegalcosts.208194c.html

The potential price tag to the city of Farmers Branch to defend its ordinance banning landlords from renting to illegal immigrants has increased by $1.13 million.

Also Online

Judge rejects Farmers Branch ordinance on renting to illegal immigrants

A team of lawyers submitted bills for legal fees and costs to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas shortly before midnight Monday.

The team includes the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas, the ACLU Foundation Immigrants' Rights Project and the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, or MALDEF.

Earlier this month, the Bickel & Brewer Storefront law firm submitted a bill of $850,000. The two legal teams are linked by the consolidation of suits, and the combined bill submitted to the court is now nearly $2 million.

Posted by Michael Felix