Magdaleno

Dear Sisters and Brothers..

Today in Florida they are having an election and it is a hot one on the Republican side… but for Democrats this is a beauty contest given that the candidates did not campaign here and the delegates from Florida will not be recognized at the convention … Both Michigan and Florida lost out because they decided to move their dates up without authorization of the National Party..

 

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

a.     Darfur

b.     The Kennedy’s

c.      I voted in Miami

d.     Lotto

 

DARFUR IN FIVE YEARS 200,000 HAVE DIED…

This is a criminal act of unbelievable proportions and our government along with others does not take any action…if they were Europeans or if they had oil would we be more concerned..???  I am sad that so many have to die….

I wonder what actions we would be taking if it was our family that was being killed on a daily basis…would we take to the streets, would we just wring our hands… what would we do…

I didn’t listen to Bush’s state of the union speech but I bet he forgot to mention DARFUR… I don’t know why anyone would listen to this man given that he has nothing to say…

We must get many public figures to stand up and be counted. …we must stop the killing and starvation in Darfur… we can not be silent on this issue.

 

THE KENNEDYS COME OUT SWINGING FOR OBAMA

WASHINGTON – Two generations of Kennedys – the Democratic Party’s best known political family – endorsed Barack Obama for president on Monday, with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy calling him a “man with extraordinary gifts of leadership and character,” a worthy heir to his assassinated brother.

“I feel change in the air,” Kennedy said in remarks salted with scarcely veiled criticism of Obama’s chief rival for the nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, as well as her husband, the former president.

“I have marveled at his grit and grace,” he said of the man a full generation younger than he is.

Kennedy’s endorsement was ardently sought by all three of the remaining presidential contenders, and he delivered it at a pivotal time in the race. A liberal lion in his fifth decade in the Senate, the Massachusetts senator is in a position to help Obama court Hispanic voters as well as rank-and-file members of labor unions, two key elements of the Democratic Party.

He is expected to campaign actively for Obama in the days before a string of delegate-rich primaries and caucuses across 24 states on Feb. 5, beginning later this week in Arizona, New Mexico and California.

The senator made his comments at a crowded campaign rally that took on the appearances of a Kennedy family embrace of Obama, who sat smiling as he heard their praise.

He was introduced by Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late president, who said Obama “offers that same sense of hope and inspiration” as did her father. Rep. Patrick Kennedy also endorsed Obama from the stage before a boisterous crowd at American University.

“Today isn’t just about politics for me. It’s personal,” Obama, 46, said when it came time for him to speak. “I was too young to remember John Kennedy and I was just a child when Robert Kennedy ran for president. But in the stories I heard growing up; I saw how my grandparents and mother spoke about them, and about that period in our nation’s life – as a time of great hope and achievement.”

In his remarks, Sen. Kennedy sought one by one to rebut many of the arguments leveled by Obama’s critics.

“From the beginning, he opposed the war in Iraq. And let no one deny that truth,” he said, an obvious reference to former President Clinton’s statement that Obama’s early anti-war stance was a “fairy tale.”

“With Barack Obama, we will turn the page on the old politics of misrepresentation and distortion.

“With Barack Obama we will close the book on the old politics of race against race, gender against gender, ethnic group against ethnic group, and straight against gay,” Kennedy said.

The Massachusetts senator had remained on the sideline of the presidential campaign for months, saying he was friends with Obama, Clinton and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, as well as several Senate colleagues who are no longer in the race.

Lately, according to several associates, Kennedy became angered with what he viewed as racially divisive comments by Bill Clinton. Nearly two weeks ago, he played a personal role in arranging a brief truce between the Clintons and Obama on the issue.

Kennedy refers only sparingly to his assassinated brothers, John and Robert, in his public remarks, and his endorsement of Obama was cast in terms that aides said was unusually personal.

“There was another time, when another young candidate was running for president and challenging America to cross a new frontier. He faced criticism from the preceding Democratic president, who was widely respected in the party,” Kennedy said, referring to Harry S. Truman.

“And John Kennedy replied, ‘The world is changing. The old ways will not do. … It is time for a new generation of leadership.

“So it is with Barack Obama,” he added.

 

Kennedy began his remarks by paying tribute to Sen. Clinton’s advocacy for issues such as health care and women’s rights. “Whoever is our nominee will have my enthusiastic support,” he said.

But he quickly pivoted to a strong endorsement of Obama, whom he said “has extraordinary gifts of leadership and character, matched to the extraordinary demands of this moment in history.”

“I believe that a wave of change is moving across America,” Kennedy said.

Click for related content

Also Monday, Obama picked up the endorsement of author Toni Morrison, who read from her work at Bill Clinton’s first inauguration and once labeled him the “first black president.” Morrison said she has admired Hillary Clinton for years because of her knowledge and mastery of politics, but cited Obama’s “creative imagination which coupled with brilliance equals wisdom.”

Morrison said her endorsement had little to do with Obama’s race – he is the son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas – but rather his personal gifts.

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

————————————————————————————————————

I VOTED FOR OBAMA

 

The polling place at a school was only two doors down from my house.. .so I had to vote… once they found my name they asked for a photo ID..Carolyn and Aviva had already voted.. so I let them see my Washington State driver’s license…

 

Once I was registered the touch screen machine was started up..I had received a democratic ballot and was ready to go… I went down the list of Democratic Presidential Candidates and pushed Obama’s line … next thing I know my vote had jumped to another candidate… I was shocked…

 

HEY MISTER I GOT A PROBLEM …I called out to the man who had turned on the machine ..

 

WHATS THE PROBLEM…he replied as he came over towards the machine…

 

WELL I VOTED FOR BARACK OBAMA AND IT JUMPED TO ANOTHER CANDIDATE …I said loud enough for all to hear… I WANT TO VOTE FOR OBAMA…

 

He asked me to re-vote and I did …then he reminded me that I could review all my votes at the end… the last screen let me review my votes before they were finalized…

 

Would all voters for Obama be switched to other candidates and would other voters notice this problem… ????

 

Then on the way out I filled out a survey form for the CNN staff there asking some to fill out a form.. they didn’t ask me but I offered and was given the form for Democrats…so now I am part of a national survey…

 

PLAYING THE LOTTO

 

YEP…I am one of the millions who participate in the Lotto hoping to win …the most so far that I have won is $25 and I almost had an orgasm at the grocery store when they told me I was a winner… maybe one day I will be a big winner.

 

Our mother Carmen Montez Avila was addicted to bingo …and would play many cards at the same time.. It was good entertainment and on occasion she won …. Those bingo parlors were filled with smoke, noise and greasy snacks.. Many knew each other..It was a major social gathering… Once I was there playing and I won and instead of yelling bingo I yelled our GRINGO …my mother smiled at me as she puffed her cigarette and said  just say bingo …and bingo I said… but in reality I wanted to win again so that I could shout GRINGO…

 

My best

leno

Dear Friends

People waving at you to stop may have something really important to tell you.

I had just left the small Star Bucks Store on 72 street and 87 ave in Miami and was pointing my van towards the busy traffic on 72 better known as Sunset st. when a Cuban male got up from his seat at a outside table and begin walking towards me signaling me to stop.

I didn’t want to stop but his aggressiveness finally got my attention plus the fact that he had placed himself in front of my van…So I stopped and pressed the button to lower the window…

Finally he came along side me and said your coffee and pointed to the roof of my car… I had left my veinte coffee cup on the roof of my car . I was embarrassed.. This man reached up on my roof and handed me my hot coffee…

I thanked him and made sure to wave again to him as I pulled out into traffic… good that I stopped and that he was not a CAR JACKER…ha ha

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

a. Primary colors

b. The fence on the border

c. Protestors raped in Mexico

d. bust

e Muzlimization

f. JJ imintation

Primary Colors and the Primary Season

Whom to support…

Some friends have wondered why I have not said more about the Democratic Presidential Primary…so I guess I will have to weigh in a bit.

Well … let me start with the candidate who just left the race that is closest to my politics and that was Dennis Kucinich…Great politics… and super smart ….at the same time, I liked a lot of what I know of Chris Dodd and Joe Biden…if any of these three men would have had the money the dog/cat fight or how ever you want to describe it would be more interesting…

And in terms of diplomatic experience not many could hold a candle to Bill Richardson..

And I was glad he was there just like Tony Anaya was and soon we will have a strong well funded Latino candidate that can compete with the strength of the Latino vote…not to mention that the next Latino candidate will attract even more donors.

Of the three finalist John Edwards speaks to my community organizer side and feel that he would be a wonderful president… and that we would institute some real economic changes under his leadership…I think he is most honest and is very consistent in his message.

I have been a fan of Hilary’s since 1981 when I first met her and she helped us in our fight to save LEGAL SERVICES….She always had time for my questions during those difficult days when Reagan was trying to eliminate LEGAL SERVICES for the poor.…

While I liked a lot about Bill ..I was disgusted by NAFTA, and his support of the death penalty…not to mention his DON’T ASK DON’T TELL ..Military policy…

Bill is damaging Hilary’s chances and the Democratic Party’s chances by his wild statements, and false outrage. Hilary is strong enough to stand on her own. Bill needs to do more conventional campaigning.. By his uncontrollable actions he weakens Hilary…

This is not to mention the awful things that have been brought up about Obama by Clinton surrogates.

Just so you know… most of Hilary’s 35 years of experience was spent at a corporate law firm and or as the spouse of a politician…and her law firm in Arkansas did have as clients Wal-Mart and Tyson’s Foods… not the cleanest of clients. Any one including Obama who works for a big law firm is going to have in its pool of clients some pretty seedy folks…

It seems that the UFW United Farm workers Union and some other Latino leaders have endorsed Hilary …in fact Hilary has had both in Nevada, and South Carolina most of the establishment and union support..And in South Carolina has much of the black establishment. Her campaign pitches her as the outsider when she is in fact the insider. Plus she had super double digit leads every where nationally until Iowa… And still is considered in many national polls as the front runner ..not the under dog…

I think that Hilary would be a tough and organized president but one problem she might have is …WHAT TO DO WITH BILL…

Barack Obama …is a young and exciting voice…. As a person of color growing up I never seemed to have enough experience when compared to the white person competing with me for the same job… some how their experience was always more valuable… I don’t believe that being elected many times over makes you any brighter… there are many wise men and women who did not all go to college nor were ever elected… look at the lack of wisdom of all those elected who voted for the war and allowed the organized erosion of the constitution and our bill of rights.… many politicians are bought off easily and don’t fight the system as they promised when running for office. Wisdom belongs to those who use their mind and their heart in the right way…not just for themselves but for everyone

Obama has energized youth of all colors and has given hope to many that did not understand or want to understand our convoluted political system…he would be good for all people including those of us who have color …or mixed blood lines…I believe that he can bring our communities together to change this world of ours.

Obama would be a wonderful president and would offer hope to many who had given up a long time ago… I believe that at this point that I would have to support Obama…

NOW GIVEN ALL THAT I HAVE SAID…

I would support any one of the three remaining candidates and any two of them would be a powerful ticket…

We need to get through the primary’s and unite in the end… no matter how much the republicans moan and groan …they will come together and fight our candidate with avengence…and we must be united, and most organized if we are to win …

In the end if you do not want any of the remaining candidates you can go to the convention and vote for Al Gore and Oprah Winfrey as a ticket…now that’s a ticket that could easily win …and we could all be happy …

———————————————————————————————————

Border fence dispute brings Texas showdown

By Jeanne Meserve

CNN

EL CALABOZ, Texas (CNN) — Eloisa Tamez said she isn’t scared anymore, just determined. “I am not backing down,” she said.

Tamez owns three acres of land along the Texas-Mexico border where the Department of Homeland Security would like to build a border fence. The property is a remnant of a 12,000-acre grant from Spain to her family in 1767, before the United States even existed.

“It is my history. It is my heritage,” Tamez said.

This week, the Justice Department began legal action against landowners and municipalities who have refused to give government surveyors access to their land.

Tamez expects she will be sued sometime soon, but she is not intimidated.

Asked how long she will fight, she said, “As long as I have to.”

Michael Chertoff, the Secretary of Homeland Security, said the fence will not be stopped by opponents like Tamez.

“Can we simply abandon an enterprise because it is a problem for a particular individual?” Chertoff told CNN. “I don’t think I can accept that.” VideoWatch Chertoff say it’s “civic responsibility” to give up land »

Chertoff believes a fence would curb the steady stream of illegal immigrants making their way across the border and lessen the flow of drugs. He also argues it will increase the safety of Border Patrol agents who have faced increasing violence.

The government wants to build 700 miles of fence along the Mexican border, including 370 miles of it by the end of this year. About 70 miles of fence is to be built in the Rio Grande Valley by year’s end, if the government gets its way.

The Rio Grande forms a natural barrier along this stretch of the border, but in some places it is narrow enough to swim across.

On the banks of the river there is ample evidence that people do so. Piles of underwear lie discarded by swimmers after they make it across. The swimmers change into dry clothes they have carried across in plastic bags. Then they disappear into the United States.

The Border Patrol has stepped up its efforts in the Rio Grande Valley with more lights, and sensors to pick up movement. A levee built along the river has a muddy road on top used by Border Patrol vehicles to patrol the area.

Richard Cortez, the mayor of the border town of McAllen, Texas, believes hiring more Border Patrol agents, deepening the Rio Grande, and clearing its banks of tall vegetation would provide better border protection than the fence.

Cortez calls the fence “a multibillion-dollar speed bump,” which will slow, but not stop, illegal immigration.

“It is a false sense of security,” he said. “America will not be safe. America will continue to waste resources on something that is not going to work.”

Cortez and other border mayors who oppose construction of the fence formed a group called the Texas Border Coalition. The coalition wrote to Chertoff asking for further consultations on the fence, but this week the Department of Homeland Security turned them down.

While expressing support for open dialogue with residents and officials, David Pagan of U.S. Customs and Border Protection wrote in an e-mail, “We do not plan to suspend work on the construction of fence in order to hold a series of additional consultation meetings.”

Cortez said his city is contemplating a court test of the law that mandated the construction of the border fence.

And so a battle is being waged by about 100 landowners, those like Eloisa Tamez who are standing firm.

“I will not allow them to come and survey my land. I have an American-given right to protect my property,” she said.

Arnoldo Garcia

National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

Red Nacional Pro Derechos Inmigrantes y Refugiados

310 8th Street Suite 303

Oakland, CA 94607

Tel (510) 465-1984 ext 305

Fax (510) 465-1885

agarcia@nnirr.org

www.nnirr.org

www.migrantdiaries.blogspot.com

————————————————————————–

MEXICAN OFFICIALS RAPE PROTESTORS.

LENO HAS SEEN BUST AND RECCOMENDS IT HIGHLY

JANUARY 29 BUST

Coming to Bootleg’s Main Stage on Tuesday & Wednesday nights

BUST

Written & Performed by Lauren Weedman.

A hilarious, poignant and completely unforgettable performance, Bust goes behind bars and into the echoing chambers of Lauren Weedman’s punishing psyche.

The former Daily Show correspondent reports from the Los Angeles penal system in a work

that careens wildly between her (sometimes) paying work in Hollywood and her ongoing

volunteer gig in the L.A. County Jail. The incarcerated women for whom she advocates, and

the mixed motives that have brought Weedman to their door, are portrayed with humor,

energy and biting self-indictment.

Tuesdays & Wednesdays @ 8pm

January 29 – March 5

Tickets $15

or more information on all events go to www.bootlegtheater.com

www.laurenweedman.net

We are at 2220 Beverly Boulevard. Our phone number is (213) 389-3856

———————————————————————————————–

MUSLIMIZATION ??????

Washington, DC | January 25, 2008 | www.adc.org | Today the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) sent a letter to Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. ADC, the nation’s largest civil rights organization working on behalf of the Arab-American community, relayed its deep concern over the recent appointment of James Pinkerton as a senior advisor to the Huckabee campaign. As a contributor to Fox News and a columnist for Newsday, Pinkerton had made several troubling statements concerning Muslim Americans, immigrants, the use of torture, and what Pinkerton terms as, “Muslimization.”

In the letter to Huckabee, ADC National Executive Director Kareem Shora asked the republican presidential candidate to immediately and publicly disassociate himself from Mr. Pinkerton and his comments.

To read ADC’s letter to Huckabee click here:
http://www.adc.org/PDF/Huckabee.pdf

DOING IMITATIONS AND MORE

The other night at going away party for a staff member I did my imitation of Jesse Jackson…many did not know I do this sort of thing and seemed to enjoy my attempt… now I am sure I will be asked to do more of this…perhaps one day I will do it for Jesse…..

One other thing ….I went to a reception last night at Latin Force (strategic Hispanic marketing business) where my daughter Aviva works. The people catering the food were authentic Mexicans with good and tasty Mexican food..I spent a few minutes in the food staging area talking to the family who runs this business…Now I am going to visit their restaurant and taste some more of their dishes… finding good Mexican food in Miami is not easy…

My best

leno

DEAR SISTERS AND BROTHERS

 

Well…I finally did it …I joined face book and am having a most interesting ride having people find me and communicate with me …I like seeing their updates and photos…yesterday I accidentally hugged everyone on my list…. But it was a safe hug given it was virtual…

 

The picture I put on my site is one of me, Nane Alejandrez of Barrios Unidos and Harry Belafonte. If you have pictures of me add them to my site so others might see the many sides of leno..

 

 

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

a.     MLK day

b.     Iraqi refugees

c.      NCADP

d.     Bush not welcome at holy place

e.      Amnesty International board elections

f.       Meet some one new

 

MLK DAY          in Miami

We at South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice decided to join the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and celebration.  There were over 100 organizations, floats, bands, and organizations that walked through Liberty City in Miami. Most of the People in the parade were African American and 99 % of the tens of thousands lined along the 5 mile route were black… I was surprised that there were not more Latinos or whites along the parade route or in the parade.

The march was to start at 11 am and did not really get going until after 12:00 noon. It was slow moving and the onlookers enjoyed it all. At ever 30 feet of the march there vendors selling food and drinks… the smoke of a thousand barbeques blessed the parade and made us hungry for food that would satisfy our lips and our stomachs… made us want to walk faster so that we could get to the end of the march and perhaps enjoy some of these foods.. …

I saw many who I knew and was encouraged by the wonders of the celebration. I was on my feet from 10 am until 3pm and walked the entire route …I can tell you that my feet, knees and back hurt by the time we got to MLK park at the end of the long route..

It was a cloudy day with some rain sprinkles and this made the day easier…but what made it all possible was the spirit of those marching and watching …it was a great people day for Miami.

——————————————————————————————————

 

RAISE YOUR VOICE FOR IRAQI REFUGEES

On Monday, January 28, President Bush will lay out the priorities for his final year in office during his State of the Union address.

 

I’m asking him to make the needs of Iraq’s 4 million refugees and displaced people a priority – and to tell us how he plans to fulfill the United States’ moral obligation to these refugees.

 

More than 2 million Iraqis have fled their country, and more than 2 million more remain in Iraq but have been forced to leave their homes. All live in despair, fearing violence and persecution, and struggling to find food, shelter, and medical care. The humanitarian crisis is growing as the refugees’

Savings are depleted, but President Bush has virtually ignored their plight. Not once has he publicly acknowledged this grave humanitarian crisis.

 

Please join me in urging President Bush to lead the international response to this crisis by committing to help Iraq’s refugees during his final year in office. Tell him to address the crisis in his State of the Union speech.

 

Just click below – it only takes a minute.

http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/sotu_refugees?rk=LdeAKU718AX8W

 

—————————————————————————————————–

NACDP

National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

I was on my way to the conference in San Jose, California, on American Airlines from Ft. Lauderdale Airport in Florida at 6 am in the morning… working my way down the aisle to my seat I heard a soft voice calling out Leno, Leno … I turned and it was SuZanne Bozler (murder victim family member) a longtime death penalty abolitionist and friend.  We got to catch up on our movement and personal details as we sat and some times slept on our way to Dallas/Ft Worth airport… there we got on different flights to San Jose.  In Reality my flight was cancelled and I did not get out of that airport until 9 hours later..

The conference was again another wonderful experience… I got to see many old friends and surprise arrival of Marrieta Jeager (murder victim family member)… and met many other new friends… including many new abolitionist friends from Puerto Rico… these movement conferences are about learning, loving and doing…

The weekend with its wonderful panels and workshops and many conversations proved to be most productive and moving…

The awards evening and celebration was a good event and there were many wonderful individuals and organizations to be honored. I was invited to be the Emcee and it was fun being a part of the dinner program… I was moved by the people at the dinner, the words and works of those honored which included many wonderful activists.. .

On the last morning we did a DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ceremony to rededicate our selves to the movement. On the altar were photos of friends, death row inmates, those executed, murder victims and others. Also there were notes with the names and messages of loved ones plus drinks, and food that these loved ones enjoyed… it was again another good ceremony..

Movements like our effort to abolish the death penalty are about creating a new paradigm of hope in a valley of despair.

Below are the names of the wonderful individuals and organizations that were honored at this conference…

 

 NCADP 2008: Special Recognition Award

Bill Pelke
Special Recognition: Outgoing Board Chairman, National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

Lighting the Torch Award

The People of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

NCADP 2008: Legal Service Awardees

David E. Kendall, William & Connolly
Legal Service Award

Death Penalty Clinic, University of California, Berkeley,
School of Law and Elizabeth Semel
Legal Service Award

Morrison & Foerster
Legal Service Award

NCADP 2008: (Co) Abolitionists of the year

 

Natasha Minsker, Abolitionist of the Year

Stefanie Faucher, Abolitionist of the Year

  NCADP 2008: Lifetime Achievement Award

MIKE FARELL
recipient of this year’s NCADP Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

PATRIARCH ATTALLAH HANNA REFUSES TO RECEIVE THE MASTER OF THE WHITE HOUSE

Bethlehem News

The Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Occupied Jerusalem,
Patriarch Attallah Hanna, has refused to receive the American President
George Bush, in the Nativity Church of Bethlehem during the President’s
recent visit.

His rebuttal to the American president generated immense satisfaction
among the Palestinian people, especially the Christians, who had been
unhappy and embarrassed at the warm welcome and servility portrayed
in the reception of the American president by other religious leaders.

A Palestinian Christian national stated that “The refusal of the
Archbishop of Jerusalem to receive George Bush has lifted our morale.”
He added, “It is shameful to receive the maker of wars at the birthplace
of Christ, the Prince of Peace.”

Earlier this month, in a talk to Palestinian refugees, at Buqa’a Camp
in Jordan, Hanna declared ” President Bush and what he does has
no relationship whatsoever with Christianity. It bears no relationship
to Christian ethics, morals, values, or Christian behavior. Hence, we also
reject the policies of America, its absolute and unequivocal support of
Israel, and its occupation of Iraq.”

——————————————————————————————————-

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL BOARD ELECTIONS

Jessica Carvahlo Morris is the local group coordinator, a good activist and an attorney.  I met her recently at a demonstration against the detentions in Guantanamo. She is a good voice and would do well on the board of AIUSA.

Her letter asking for your support is at the end of this newsletter… so please read.

MEETING NEW AND INTERESTING INDIVIDUALS

One of the best parts of life is the opportunity is to meet new and interesting individuals.  Recently I have met a person who shook up my life a bit… and that is good… through our work and dreams we have a chance to meet people who can share new worlds, moons and stars …and from this we will learn and perhaps love…

Take the time and meet someone new

My best

Leno

————————————————————————————-

 

JESSICA’S LETTER

Dear friends,

I am writing to ask for your vote.  As you probably know, Amnesty International’s elections will be in April and I am running for the Board of Directors.

My initial interest in human rights stemmed from my family’s history of persecution and torture in Brazil and my upbringing in exile in Costa Rica. Hearing those stories, and witnessing violence against women and prisoner mistreatment, I developed a passion and commitment for promoting and protecting human rights.

My work in this area includes:

Amnesty International Experience:

·  Local Group Coordinator, 2004-present

·  MCOD Trainer, 2006-present

·  2007 Southern Regional Conference Host and Advisory Committees

·  ESCR Southern Region Working Group, 2007

·  Presenter at various AIUSA state, regional and annual conferences (Spanish and English)

·  Resolutions and Working Parties Chair at AIUSA regional conferences

·  AI spokesperson on radio, TV and newspapers (Spanish and English)

·  Main organizer of Florida’s largest State Meeting

·  Main organizer of AI-Miami’s largest fundraiser

·  Main local group organizer of the 2007 Southern Regional Conference

·  Liaison between ACLU and AI regarding AI’s lawsuit in Florida

 

Other Relevant Experience:

·  Pro bono attorney, represented AI’s prisoner of conscience before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, women victims of domestic violence among others

·  Author and speaker (in English, Spanish and Portuguese) on human rights issues

·  Board Member, Women’s Center Advisory Council, FIU (2006-present)

·  Co-Chair, Civil Rights Committee, Florida Bar (2007-present)

·  Attorney, NLRB – represented workers terminated for engaging in union activity (2003-2005)

·  Attorney in Brazil and Florida

As a Board Member, I would like to transform AI into a human rights movement. My priorities include:

·  Membership outreach, especially among underrepresented groups such as the Latino and Haitian populations;

·  Membership retention;

·  Multiculturalism;

·  Local and student group support;

·  Fundraising;

·  Networking with other NGOs.

I would be honored to have your vote.

Please contact me if you have any questions.  Thank you for your consideration.

In order to vote, you need to have paid membership dues by February 1, 2008.  You will receive a ballot by mail and the election deadline is in April, 2008.

To join or renew your membership, please visit http://www.amnestyusa.org/join or send dues of $25 ($15 student/limited income) to:
AIUSA MEMBER SERVICES
5 Penn Plaza
14th Floor
New York, NY 10001

Peace,

Jessica Carvalho Morris

Miami Local Group Coordinator

AI Board Candidate

DEAR SISTER AND BROTHERS

 

This week I went to three demonstrations; Amnesty International’s protest about Guantanamo, then the Code Pink event  and then a local demonstration against the police killing of young black youth in Miami.   It reminds me of the importance of us all raising our voices and taking to the streets…we must not be silent or inactive… we must fight for our rights ..

 

Get out of your house, apt or office and do something more to change the world…

 

 

NOW MY VIEW FOR MY NEWS

          a. NCADP

          b. new hampshire vote

          c.  code pink

          d.  the economy

 

 

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF NCADP.

REACHING FOR THE DREAM

If you can… be there and share ..

 

This week abolitionists will gather in San Jose California to update their strategies, learn new tactics, get state updates and celebrate the progress made and honor the work of so many valiant warriors.

 

I am one of the many speakers at this meeting of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. But more importantly I am just one more activist lending their voice and energy for an end to this human rights abuse..

 

We can all help to stop state sanctioned killing….

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE VOTE

 

Much was made about the emotional moment by Hilary Clinton and how that might have gotten her more votes… Pundits forgot that Hilary was all but the anointed winner going into Iowa. Iowa was the surprise not New Hampshire.  In fact Hilary did worse than was expected. For months she was to win all of the states easily …according to the many early polls she had no opposition.

 

The votes that Hilary took in New Hampshire were primarily Dodd and Biden voters and thus Hilary barely edged Obama when it had been  predicted for months that she should have won by a wide margin.  Most of the polling did not factor Dodd and Biden leaving the race.. I think that if Richardson had left after Iowa that Obama would have won in New Hampshire.  

 

Now the question is as we get into other states who will get the vote of the people of color in particular blacks and Latinos.  And I wonder whom Richardson will endorse.????

 

ANYONE IN THE DEMOCRATIC FIELD IS MUCH BETTER THAN ANY REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE… and it is good to have strong field of candidates from which to choose.

—————————————————————————–

 

Saturday CODE PINK stirred up the hornets nest in Miami

By targeting Luis Posada Carriles

 

Posada is accused of downing a Cuban Airliner and is considered a terrorist by many. CODE PINK decided to do a demonstration demanding that Posada be immediately incarcerated.  They had planned to do this across from the Versailles Restaurant which is home to the ultra conservative anti-communist movement in Miami and is located on the famous CALLE OCHO in LITTLE HAVANA, Miami…

 

Soon right wing radio stations in Miami found out of the pending demonstration and called out to the Cuban community to come out and do a counter demonstration. Well it worked…. there were between 400-500 Cuban with a few other Latinos thrown in to counter anything planned by CODE PINK …

 

I decided to go to this event and mix in with the Cuban demonstrators.. I bought my CAFÉ CON LECHE ..or coffee with hot milk and some sweet breads and acted as I belonged…

 

Shortly after I was there CODE PINK’s truck with pink decorations drove by slowly and Cubans spilled out into the streets hitting the truck with their flag poles… and everyone shouting awful slogans and some just shouting COMMUISTAS..   ..

 

Who do the police protect ?

As always there were not enough police to protect anyone… I counted about 8-10 police …there could have been more… but I didn’t see them… I am sure there was some plain clothes folks there… Miami police have a history of allowing the right wing to attack physically any peace movement or left wing event… and they never intervene …at this event given the crowd size and subject there should have been at least 50-100 police with perhaps another 50 hidden away and ready to respond..… they need to have enough police to allow all groups to demonstrate peacefully …

 

As I walked around I noticed that there must have been about 5 different sound systems… with people yelling and giving long winded speeches…some just trying to get noticed by the media…this gathering took over the parking lot with some inside the restaurant and many in the bakery which was next door… and part of the Versailles network.  

 

This was not a safe place for a liberal so I did not show my progressive colors…

 

Most of the crowd was over 65 years of age and at least 30% over 75. with a sprinkling of middle aged folks and a handful under 30 … in 10-15 years these older demonstrators  might all be gone… and then who will lead these demonstrations.

 

It was a very noisy event as many old friends greeted each other… while others argued with each other about who was most anti-Castro… one group was there with signs saying that Castro had died and that everyone should rush back to the island … a couple of folks had the outline of Che with a skeleton face in the middle of the image and saying that Che was a murderer.. .One older woman dressed to the NINES with long flowing hair had her pet lamb in tow with an anti Castro sign on its back and a colorful pamper on its bottom.

 

Clearly I was in the middle of an active hornets nest…the buzzing and activity was almost unbearable at times but at the same time exciting…

 

 

While the ultra right wing Cuban community gets the notoriety, it must be noted that there is a growing number of Cubans and other Latinos in Florida who are more reasonable in their approach to Cuban politics.. Also it should be noticed that the majority of those Cuban-Americans between 18-30 are not focused on Cuba and the death of Castro as the main agenda in their lives… This super anti-Castro passion belongs to their grand parents and some parents..

 

The police would not allow CODE PINK and their supporters to march to the Versailles Restaurant which is a right protected by our  constitution saying they were trying to keep both sides safe. …I too would not have recommended that CODE PINK demonstrate given that police would not protect them …The City should have had enough police on hand to protect CODE PINK and their supporters.…This is what America should be about… FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

 

Later in the day as I spoke to Medea Benjamin President of CODE PINK… I found this petite trouble maker and her supporters to be most reasonable and principled.and am in awe of all they do.

 

THE ECONOMY

There is no recovery in sight… we are still in big trouble

 

No one wants to recognize how bad the economy is and what needs to be done to protect our average citizen. Any help that comes will benefit first the lenders and big business and much much later perhaps the average citizen.

 

Keep an open eye on your community for:

a.     loss of jobs

b.     defaults on mortgages

c.      pay day loans ripping off even more individuals

d.     medical services becoming more limited

e.      community services such as libraries, community centers and others being affected.

 

Our country is in trouble and those of you working in the community will see this sooner than others and we must be ready to raise our voices and take action..

 

 

Recognize and celebrate MLK DAY

 

This Monday we will ask all our friends to join with us as we March as South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice in the annual Parade and Festivities… and if you are in Miami call us and join our contingent…

 

I look forward to hearing about your cities activities and how you remember Dr. King… King was a major influence in my life and the lives of millions of others.. we must live his dream of economic justice, peace and nonviolence.. this means that we must raise our voices and if needed take to the streets.

 

DREAM AND DO

 

leno