Magdaleno

Sisters and Brothers,

I want to thank all those who are working to abolish the death penalty. Many these human rights workers will never get a front page headline, may not get some major award or recognition. But it is important that we understand that there are many who make a difference. I also admire those who communicate with the prisoners and their families. We have many people from Europe who write to people on death row and even take their vacation time and money to visit these men and women.

Amongst those to recognize are those who work with the families of the murder victim and the families of those on the row. We need to be supportive of all these families. This is very tough work and filled with deep emotions.

While I do work to abolish the death penalty, I do not do as much as others whom I admire and support. We must got to local, state and national conferences so that we can take time to dream and figure out how to do even more. This January I am going to the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty’s conference. I hope to see you there.

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

a. Bail Denied for Alex Sanchez
b. Washington State Elections
c. the Film about Cesar Chavez
d. Join Social Justice Fund

Alex Sanchez Denied Bail

We were all disappointed to learn that Alex was denied bail on the most flimsy reasons. The Judge felt that Alex was a flight risk. And that is a joke given that so many friends put up their homes and money totalling $2.5 million to ensure his release. Alex would not run out on his friends.

Please go to WEAREALEX.ORG and read the most recent update and become a member of our support group. you should also purchase shirts and buttons that raise the case of Alex Sanchez. Visit Progressive Rags and you can get these shirts. Alex calls me, writes to me and now has a very limited Facebook account and can have a select group communicate with him. Last night I got my first Facebook message from Alex last night and I hope he got my response.

Alex wrote that while he was disappointed by the decision that he was not surprised. Right after the court hearing his wife Delia and the children were able to visit him and that lifted his spirits.

This past weekend I attended the National Lawyers Guild conference, and was on one panel where we were talking about the police and their abuse of their powers. Both Jorge Gonzalez from LA and I were sporting our Alex t-shirts and had an opportunity to talk about Alex. I went to the Guild’s banquet that night and met many lawyers who knew of his case and others who have heard Alex speak and believe in his innocence. In addition, I passed out many flyers regarding this travesty to justice.

Please stay involved and continue to raise the issues involve around this case. I heard from some Homies Unidos members from El Salvador and they want us all to remember that Alex is a voice for peace and that we need to work for his release.

Washington State Elections: Support the good candidates and the issues raised by Washington Association of Churches.

I want to encourage my Washington State friends to support the progressive candidates.

In particular I would ask you to work hard for Dow Constantine who is the best candidate for County Executive. Dow helped me to raise monies 4 years ago when I was Director of the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project. We needed emergency money to protect victims of domestic violence. Dow had never met me but knew that our issue was real and that he could make a difference. We all need to make calls and get people to fill out their ballots for Dow and others who will listen to our community.

Faithful Voters Guide
Religious Leaders Say: 
Vote No on Initiative 1033 & Vote to Approve Referendum 71

As you consider voting on your ballot that’s arrived in the mail, I want to share with you the Washington Association of Churches’ perspective on two important ballot issues.

The first is Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033. WAC, along with over 200 organizations and communities as well as 100′s of religious leaders call on all people of compassion to vote NO on 1033.

As people of faith, we believe that our tax system should bridge the gap between the rich and poor, promote economic security, and protect our state’s most vulnerable residents. This latest initiative from Tim Eyman fails on all three counts.  It not only fails to bridge the gap, it makes it wider, deeper and worst of all permanent.  It will force deeper cuts and lock them in for years to come. 
 
We call upon all members of the faith communities to join us in raising moral voices to defeat I-1033.

Please talk to your friends, family and faith community about the damage this initiative would do to the people of our state.  

For our friends in King County, I-1033 is hard to find on the ballot.  It is on the lower left of your ballot, below the instructions.

The second issue you will be voting on is Referendum 71.

The WAC joins the Church Council of Greater Seattle, the Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington State and over 200 clergy from diverse faith traditions in urging you to vote to APPROVE Referendum 71, the domestic partnership law passed in the 2009 legislative session.

This will protect the rights of all families, including same gender partners and unmarried seniors.
 
As people of faith, we view the role of religion to nurture and support families, not to regard some as less deserving. Failure of this referendum would mean that basic civil rights and essential protections will be provided to some families and denied to others. To deny families, including older couples, the basic right to take care of each other threatens not only those families but our collective commitment to each other.  

We respect the rights of all members of faith communities to believe what they are called to believe, and to practice their faith as they see fit.  But where such essential rights are involved, the state has an obligation to protect the rights of all members of our communities

Cesar’s Last Fast – A Fundraiser for the Documentary-In-Progress

On November 7th, I will be in Los Angeles joining the filmmakers of Cesar’s Last Fast at a very special fundraiser in support of the production of the film.

If you’re in the LA area, come on down to El Centro Del Pueblo in Echo Park and join Dolores Huerta, Lalo Alcaraz, and many others as we both celebrate Cesar’s legacy and raise money and support to finish this important film.
A very special benefit for the documentary-in-progress:
CESAR’S LAST FAST

FEATURED GUESTS
DOLORES HUERTA
LALO ALCARAZ

Musical performance by:
Conjunto Hueyapan

DATE: Saturday, 07 November 2009
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION: El Centro Del Pueblo
1157 Lemoyne Street
Los Angeles, 90026

TICKETS
$100 VIP Reception (6PM)
$50 Regular admission
$25 Students

/nobody turned away/

RSVP: http://www.magnoliawebstrategy.com/rsvp.html

SPONSOR THE FILM*
Arcángel – $10,000 and Above
Angel – $5,000 – $9,999
Santa/Santo – $2,500 – $5,000
Comadre/Compadre – $1,000 – $2, 500
Compañera/Compañero – $500 – $1,000
Amiga/Amigo – $100 – $500

*All sponsors will receive credit in the documentary

TO DONATE, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Join The Social Justice Fund Northwest

It does not matter where you live … you can become a member/donor and help us to help others to deliver on change. I would welcome you and your donation at any level. The most important thing is that you get on our mailing list and get our news.
And now we have tote bags, shirts, and aprons that you can purchase and give as holiday gifts.

GOT A MINUTE FOR YOUR HEALTH CARE?

Take a moment and make a call to your elected officials and tell them that you want a PUBLIC OPTION. It just takes a minute and together we CAN make a difference.

My best,
Leno

Talking To Alex Sanchez

In recent weeks I have received calls from Alex who, as you know, is in prison. We laugh and talk about the food and the other prisoners, especially those who were charged with him in this absurd roundup.

Alex wanted to let you all know that he is okay but that he needs you to help him make bail so that he can work with his lawyer on his defense and to be with his family. While Alex knows how to do time, it is nonetheless hard and him and his family.

We need a FAIR TRIAL for Alex and that begins with him getting BONDED OUT … so please help in whatever way you can. Visit Alex’s website for more information.

JUSTICE = BAIL FOR ALEX

A fair trial for Alex starts with bail.

 As a community, let’s think positively in the days ahead, as we are reminded of Alex’s comittment to our youth and families and his impact on our communities.

Alex brings out the best in all of us. 

Let’s show the media and court that the community is behind Alex at his next hearing. Our presence matters! 

Join us at this historic moment and spread the word! You can download flyers and info here.

Date: Monday, October 19th, 2009
Time: 12 pm til ruling is announced
Place: Fletcher Bowron Square
 (Corner of Main and Temple 
Downtown LA
)

Alex needs our support NOW and our community needs him more than ever. Please join us.

Stepping Off The Ledge Into The Unknown

Most of us want to know that we are eating healthy food and that our hotel are disease free. Some of us even go so far as to buy and eat organic fruits and vegetables. And, in that regard I want us all to eat healthy and be healthy …

But there is just one little problem. Those who harvest our food, butcher the animals, prepare our food, clean our hotel rooms, clean our homes, perhaps cook for us at home, or take care of our children and who clean our hotel rooms may not have access to health services.

It seems to me that we are only hurting ourselves by not  insuring everyone and taking the risk that our children or another person we care about (perhaps us) could become seriously ill because of a small amount of bacteria that could have been eliminated. We can wash our hands all we want but if those handling our food, care for our families and care for the hotel rooms dont have good health and no amount of soap can keep the bacteria away.

If we want to be healthy then we must make sure that all around us are healthy.

Now that seems to make sense.

Took A Bold Step For My Feet

Early Saturday two weeks ago I snuck my large body into a NAIL salon.

Nope, this was not a manly hammer and nail hardware store, this was a place for PEDICURES AND MANICURES

“Can I help you?” the manager asked.

“a pedicure” I whispered.

she smiled and shouted in Vietnamese … “PEDICURE FOR THE MAN!”

anyway, I think that’s what she said.

a young woman came out with her plastic tool box. she motioned me towards a chair where she was filling a mini pool with water.

I took off my sandals and settled into a red chair, immediately I noticed the warm water on my feet and that the chair was giving me a back massage.

Before you know she had cleaned my nails clipped them and then gave me the most wonderful ankle and calf massage. Now that was the best part.

Before you know it had all ended and it was most relaxing.

… and I found out that you can do the unexpected.

Trick Or Vote

Voting for Human Rights in the State of Washington

Trick or Vote is coming straight at you like a runaway train!

Join the Bus, Approve Referendum 71 and No on I-1033 on Saturday, October 31st to Trick or Vote in support of equality and a better Washington. Like equal rights for domestic partners? Us too. We’re going to be telling voters all about R-71.

And like a state that can actually fund little things like education, Health care and environmental protection? We’re going to be making sure everyone knows about the impacts of I-1033.

Trick or Vote 2008 saw over three hundred young people in costume, knocking on doors all across King County, and making sure young people voted in the election. This year, we’re going even bigger. And, dare we say, better.

So what do we need? You! And your friends. In costume. Ready to knock on some doors, get some candy and remind folks to turn their ballots in.

We’ll be meeting up in our awesome (and dare we say spooky) Georgetown location (the Old Rainier Cold Storage – 5840 Airport Way South) in the afternoon, going out to Trick or Vote, and then returning for the  afterparty. Yes, it’s free. Yes, it’s all ages. And yes, you get to eat all the candy you can handle! That’s what we call real politics.

To reserve your slot, email mollie@washingtonbus.org or rsvp online here.

We’ll see you there!

office: 206.325.1889 cell: 206.679.1107
www.washingtonbus.org
washingtonbus.wordpress.com

NFL Says No To Rush Limbaugh

It is great that players, owners and the NFL office said no to having Rush be an investor in an effort to purchase the Rams.

I would suggest that Rush and others form their own football league, and I wonder how many would buy tickets to go see all WHITE TEAMS play against each other.

I think it’s some what difficult to play football in a white sheet … look forward to the WHITE IS RIGHT FOOTBALL LEAGUE coming to your town soon.

My Best,
Leno