From the Editors
Editor’s Note: The following article is an editorial from our sister publication, the Tribuno del Pueblo, http://www.tribunodelpueblo.org
The signing of Arizona’s anti-immigrant law (SB1070) in April, followed by the banning of ethnic studies in the state’s public schools, has unleashed a fury of controversy across the country and around the world.
Cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco have launched (or are considering) economic boycotts of Arizona. The United Nations and other international organizations have condemned the law as a violation of human rights. And on the weekend of May 29, some 40,000 people from around the country marched in Phoenix in protest.
On the other hand, several states, among them Michigan and Massachusetts, are considering similar laws, alleging that they are bearing undue financial burdens because of illegal immigration. And national polls show a majority of U.S. citizens approve of the Arizona measure.
Some proponents of the law are going even further and proposing an amendment to the U.S. constitution denying citizenship to U.S.-born children of undocumented workers.
The American news media–as well as racist and right-wing demagogues–have been temporarily successful in convincing many U.S. workers that their woes are caused by illegal immigration, even though that is not the case.
Meanwhile, both sides blame the Obama administration and are demanding that it act. Arizona governor Jan Brewer, who signed the measure into law, claims she was forced to do so because of federal inaction on immigration reform.
To date, the federal response has been unsatisfactory for both sides. While saying that the Arizona law may be unconstitutional and should not be implemented, President Obama has ordered 1,200 to 1,500 National Guard troops to the border, supposedly to protect against drug violence. And as yet, there is no administration plan for legalization.
This is happening while American workers as a whole, including Mexican and Central American immigrants, are hurting from the downturn in the economy. The good-paying jobs are gone forever. Although this has not been caused by immigrants, we ignore it at our peril.
The fate of immigrant and U.S.-born workers alike is linked by the mutual need to struggle for our daily bread. In fact, today we are driven to fight each other over crumbs, while untold wealth goes disproportionately to the rich and their corporations. And all the while, our mutual enemies–the corporations and the politicians that serve them–benefit from our disunity. NAFTA/CAFTA and the bailouts of banks and corporations have put billions in the pockets of the wealthy. But they have severely hurt both native-born and immigrant workers alike.
If U.S.-born and immigrant do not find common ground to work together, their mutual fate is bleak. Robots and electronics are replacing previously well paid jobs for the U.S. born. And poorly paid guestworker programs that separate immigrant workers from their families are the best they can look forward to.
The future is up to us. We face a common enemy. The battle today is for the heart and soul of America. We dare not lose it. If we allow ourselves to be divided along racial and ethnic lines, we will all be defeated. If we find the means to unite as a working class, a world of plenty awaits us.
Arizona and Disunity
If we allow ourselves to be divided along racial and ethnic lines, we will all be defeated.
If we allow ourselves to be divided along racial and ethnic lines, we will all be defeated.
Immigrant Rights protest in
southwest Detroit on May 1st, 2010
PHOTO/Damon J. Hartley
Southwest Workers Union Is Target Of Armed Attack
By Maria Elena Castellanos
Editor’s note: During the early hours of Sunday, July 11, someone launched an armed attack on members of the Southwest Workers Union (SWU) in San Antonio, Texas. The shooting left a young college intern, James Domingue, in critical condition. The shooting took place at the Solidarity House on the 300 block of Idaho Street, which is part of the SWU complex on the Eastside of San Antonio, and is home to several college students interning at SWU for the summer. The house was sprayed with at least 25 metal-piercing bullets from an AK-47, some of which went completely through the house’s front and back walls, terrorizing the 8 people that were inside at the time. In response, a People’s Tribune reader wrote the open letter below to James Domingue and the SWU.
Queridos companeros — James Domingue and SWU:
What is more powerful than the terrifying sound of bullets ripping through the walls and windows of SWU’s Solidarity house? The love and solidarity of thousands of “companeros” who share your work and your dream that “… a better world is possible.”
Your courage, your labor, your insight and your love energize thousands of us to fight with even more creativity and commitment because we know also that “…a better United States is necessary.” Your individual and collective efforts have already taken root in the hearts of communities throughout the South, North, East and Western regions of our hemisphere. After spending hours viewing SWU (Southwest Workers Union of San Antonio) videos and photos of your “roots of change” gardens and social justice work on every frontline of struggle—in your immediate community and beyond—we stand in awe and gratitude for your labors. SWU is also a MAJOR mobilizing organization of the U.S. Social Forum process which held its second national forum in Detroit in June.
James, may you have a full recovery in the days, weeks and months ahead. You are a strong and remarkable young man in a community of remarkable people.
We will do whatever we can to help. We urge other organizations in the US Social Forum 2010 and in the Houston, Texas region to check out your websites and to respond with love, donations, encouragement, and clarity.
“An injury to one is an injury to all.” We will defend you, and all our youth with clear, collective action in carrying out the proposals and initiatives expressed by our communities through the U.S. Social Forum process and through other forums. We unite with SWU’s call for an independent investigation into the violent AK-47 shooting attack on their “Roots of Change Jardin” volunteers on July 11, 2010.
And we join with SWU in demanding initiatives that will support the building of safe and healthy communities in San Antonio and throughout our planet. Nor will we allow this violent event to be used as a pretext for further “criminalizing our youth…” nor will we allow it to confuse nor dishearten us.
You, James, and your companeros there at SWU have created a beautiful and powerful community that blooms far beyond your urban gardens … your courage and labor bloom in every heart that hears of your story.
Stay strong.
Standing with you,
shoulder to shoulder,
in peace and solidarity.
Editor’s note: During the early hours of Sunday, July 11, someone launched an armed attack on members of the Southwest Workers Union (SWU) in San Antonio, Texas. The shooting left a young college intern, James Domingue, in critical condition. The shooting took place at the Solidarity House on the 300 block of Idaho Street, which is part of the SWU complex on the Eastside of San Antonio, and is home to several college students interning at SWU for the summer. The house was sprayed with at least 25 metal-piercing bullets from an AK-47, some of which went completely through the house’s front and back walls, terrorizing the 8 people that were inside at the time. In response, a People’s Tribune reader wrote the open letter below to James Domingue and the SWU.
Queridos companeros — James Domingue and SWU:
What is more powerful than the terrifying sound of bullets ripping through the walls and windows of SWU’s Solidarity house? The love and solidarity of thousands of “companeros” who share your work and your dream that “… a better world is possible.”
Your courage, your labor, your insight and your love energize thousands of us to fight with even more creativity and commitment because we know also that “…a better United States is necessary.” Your individual and collective efforts have already taken root in the hearts of communities throughout the South, North, East and Western regions of our hemisphere. After spending hours viewing SWU (Southwest Workers Union of San Antonio) videos and photos of your “roots of change” gardens and social justice work on every frontline of struggle—in your immediate community and beyond—we stand in awe and gratitude for your labors. SWU is also a MAJOR mobilizing organization of the U.S. Social Forum process which held its second national forum in Detroit in June.
James, may you have a full recovery in the days, weeks and months ahead. You are a strong and remarkable young man in a community of remarkable people.
We will do whatever we can to help. We urge other organizations in the US Social Forum 2010 and in the Houston, Texas region to check out your websites and to respond with love, donations, encouragement, and clarity.
“An injury to one is an injury to all.” We will defend you, and all our youth with clear, collective action in carrying out the proposals and initiatives expressed by our communities through the U.S. Social Forum process and through other forums. We unite with SWU’s call for an independent investigation into the violent AK-47 shooting attack on their “Roots of Change Jardin” volunteers on July 11, 2010.
And we join with SWU in demanding initiatives that will support the building of safe and healthy communities in San Antonio and throughout our planet. Nor will we allow this violent event to be used as a pretext for further “criminalizing our youth…” nor will we allow it to confuse nor dishearten us.
You, James, and your companeros there at SWU have created a beautiful and powerful community that blooms far beyond your urban gardens … your courage and labor bloom in every heart that hears of your story.
Stay strong.
Standing with you,
shoulder to shoulder,
in peace and solidarity.
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