[migrawatch-public] Racism in Palmdale

This is from a post on myspace from the "AV Brown Berets" (National
Brown Berets). It has some good info on raids happening close to LA.
paz,
Ramiro

LET'S ORGANIZE!!! NOT JUST A MARCH, BUT A MOVEMENT!!! Join us as we
build a CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE MIGRA RAIDS, AGAINST THE MIGRA and AGAINST
THE SYSTEM!

WE MUST BE ORGANIZED ON THE STREETS OF EACH BARRIO SO THAT WE CAN DEFEND
OURSELVES FROM THE POLICE, ICE, Minutemen...etc.
On Jan. 3, the council approved a measure prohibiting vehicles from
stopping near the Four Points intersection, which has been a popular
gathering spot for day laborers looking for work and in recent months
has become the scene of protests against illegal immigration. And then
the City Council voted 5 to 0 on 2/7/07 to adopt resolution No.2007-058
encouraging the federal government to secure America's borders, reject
all amnesty and guest-worker proposals and enforce racist national
immigration laws.
The Brown Berets were there to oppose this Resolution however it passed.
As a result this weekend has been a living nightmare for the citizens of
Palmdale. The LA Sheriffs Dept. have been stopping cars everywhere. As
me and Patti, a fellow Brown Beret, were driving around town we counted
one sheriff had a car pulled over on almost every block we drove down.
And all were Latino's. These people are not criminals, and they are
being asked for there papers. If no papers, they are being arrested and
their vehicles impounded. Here are just two examples, of two different
people I spoke to just today! One man stated to me his wife called him
the other night crying hysterically that she had been stopped on the way
home from work. She was asked for her papers, when she didn't have them
with her, she was arrested and their car impounded by the City of
Palmdale. The husband gathered up the papers and headed down to pick up
his wife. She is here legally and was released. However they are
struggling with daily expenses, bills, rent, children to support and the
cost of life. They cannot afford to get their car out of impound.
Another example, a man goes to work in Palmdale and the sheriff shows up
to arrest someone and asks him were this person can be found. He
responds in broken English and is asked for his papers. He had his DMV
Drivers License and Social security card and his card stating he was a
political refugee from El Salvador. The Sheriff told him that would not
help and cuffed him as well as also taking many of his fellow employees.
A $3,000 bond was paid to Immigration officials and this man was
released after he was beaten by sheriff deputies. His Social Security
card and Political refugee card were never returned to him. Somehow
mysteriously his documents were lost. And again his car impounded. With
a wife and kids to support and no job this man is in fear! He was given
a list of agencies and lawyers that could assist him. He was warned that
if he doesn't show up to his court date in downtown Los Angeles or show
up without a attorney that the judge will deport him! Keep in mind his
car has been impounded and has no money to get his car back! So he hit's
the pavement to seek out some form of assistance utilizing the list of
agencies he was provided and is rejected one by one from each and
everyone, but he still has hope. He has one last chance - an agency
which will help get an attorney but he must pay a $3,000.00
non-refundable fee. So scared and in fear for the future of his family
and the fact that if deported to El Salvador he will be murdered as soon
as he arrives in country. So he pays the $3,000.00 with money he really
doesn't have. It is the last of the families money only to be told they
can't help him, but maybe if he pays $700 more money they maybe able to
find him some form of assistance. And the family has no more! And he has
been living, (and working) here in Palmdale as a political refugee since
1989.And these two examples are only the tip of the ice berg! People are
getting pulled over for looking Hispanic and arrested if they can't show
papers. And for going to work. And he tells me many more of his
neighbors and friends are also being threatened, and many have already
been arrested. But they are hesitant to come forward or just plain
scared. Because they don't know who to trust. Believe it or not this is
happening all over Palmdale! As you read this!
My phone has been ringing off the hook! Is this racial profiling, or
racial cleansing? Families are being ripped apart! Lives are being
destroyed! One parent deported to this country, and one to another. And
what do think happens to these innocent young kids? Our kids, our RAZA,
Our future? They become wards of the state if born here. Or child
protective services! Sound familiar - it should, "may I see your
papers?" Straight out of a movie from WWII, only this not Nazi Germany,
this is Palmdale California in the year 2007! La Raza, OUR people are
under attack, being harassed and arrested, and in some cases even
beaten, and in many of these cases, they don't know their rights. And
are being exploited and taken advantage of by the very people they are
being told to go to for help! Mi Gente if you live in Palmdale and this
happens to you or someone you know PLEASE, PLEASE don't trust what the
racist Sheriffs and immigration agents are telling you, they don't care,
and they are not trying to help you or your friends or loved ones! Call
The Brown Berets we are the only ones that are here to really help you
and stand up for you and your rights! So if you fall victim to these or
someone you know please call The Brown Berets 1(661)878-9649 And please
spread the word to all our gente and give out this number if this
happens to you or someone you know in Palmdale or the AV!

LET'S ORGANIZE!!! NOT JUST A MARCH, BUT A MOVEMENT!!! Join us as we
build a CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE MIGRA RAIDS, AGAINST THE MIGRA and AGAINST
THE SYSTEM!
The Brown Berets 1(661)878-9649 And please spread the word to all our
gente and give out this number if this happens to you or some you know
in Palmdale or the AV! AND REPOST~

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