A Prayer For Help
Almighty Ones,
Creator of Heaven, Earth, Sea
and all that is in them.
We Praise, Adore and Thank You
for answering our Prayers.
For correcting Injustices and
giving us Time to Repent
saving our very lives and
the lives of others
Continue to Bless us in this
Waiting Time
Selah.
Help us to Understand Your Will
and Love
Before your Judgements come.
Bless You
Amein and Amein!
Stop Hate Crimes!
A Black man is beaten to death by White teenagers after they assault him with racist slurs. The attackers tell the man’s friends they’ll be next if they and “their kind” don’t leave town. Then, the attackers are cleared of all serious charges by an all-White jury.
We know this type of story all too well given the history of Black folks in this country. This time, the story is about a Latino man–Luis Ramirez–killed because he was a Mexican immigrant. Luis’ murder is part of a growing trend of hate-based violence against Latinos, and most elected officials have been unwilling to even acknowledge it.
ColorOfChange exists to fight for the interests of African-Americans and amplify our political voice. But when we see this kind of hate directed at another group of people, we want to make sure our members have an opportunity stand up against it. Our friends at Presente.org are calling on the governor of Pennsylvania to break his silence, now.
Please join them to create a level of public outcry that can’t be ignored–and please invite your friends and family to do the same:
http://colorofchange.org/ramirez/
Thanks and Peace,
– James, Gabriel, William, Dani and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
Here is the email Presente.org sent out to their members:
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Dearest Family,
After they had beaten Luis Ramirez to death, the white teenagers who attacked him sent an ominous message to Luis’ friends:
Tell your f**king Mexican friends to get the f**k out of Shenandoah or you’ll be f**king laying next to him.1
Just over a week ago, two of Ramirez’s killers were acquitted of all serious charges by an all white jury2, with the jury foreman making it clear that justice for Ramirez had no chance in the small town of Shenandoah, PA:
I believe strongly that some of the people on the jury were racist. I believe strongly that some of the people on the jury had their minds made up maybe before the first day of trial…And I believe the four boys that were involved the most are racist. I absolutely do…3
Thanks to the hard work of MALDEF and others, the Department of Justice is now looking into Ramirez’ death.4
But that’s only part of what’s needed. Where are the leaders in the State of Pennsylvania? Why has the governor had nothing to say? His silence is shameful.
Until our elected leaders speak up, we can expect more stories like Luis’–not just in Shenandoah, but across the country. Governor Rendell owes it to Pennsylvanians and Latinos everywhere to condemn and speak out on what’s happened. Together we can demand that he does. Please click the link below to add your voice and ask your friends and family to do the same. It takes only a moment.
http://presente.org/campaigns/ramirez/email
If Luis Ramirez’s death were an isolated event it would be outrageous enough. Sadly, it’s part of a growing trend of racially motivated violence against Latinos, particularly in rural communities. According to the FBI, hate crimes against Latinos rose 35% between 2003 and 2006.5
And as author David Niewert writes, the target of hate crimes goes beyond their immediate victims: “The purpose is to terrorize the target community, to drive them out, eliminate them.”6
That kind of intimidation only works only if the people who are targeted remain silent, and officials in positions of power remain unaccountable. That’s why we need to speak out and let folks across the country know we won’t tolerate hate and violence towards our communities. It starts with demanding that the Governor of Pennsylvania make clear that anti-immigrant hate has no place in Pennsylvania. It’s time for him to show leadership now.
Join us in calling for him to speak out:
http://presente.org/campaigns/ramirez
Thank you and Adelante!
The Presente.org Team
References
1. “Town struggles with fallout from immigrant’s fatal beating,” CNN, 7-31-2008
http://tinyurl.com/64u2sk
2. “Jury acquits teens of murder in Mexican immigrants’ beating death,” Associated Press, 5-2-2009
http://tinyurl.com/p8gusl
3. “Jury Foreman Calls Other Jurors Racist,” WNEP, 5-2-2009
http://tinyurl.com/da6mcg
4. “Luiz Ramirez Hate Crime Petition,” MALDEF, 5-5-2009
http://tinyurl.com/c24jvb
5. “The Year in Hate,” Southern Poverty Law Center, Spring 2008
http://tinyurl.com/r6ldef
6. “A jury’s hate-crime verdict in rural Pennsylvania reinforces the racial divide,” Crooks and Liars, 5-3-2009
http://crooksandliars.com/node/27858/
Health Reform Part 2: IMPORTANT!
The chance to finally reform our nation’s health care system is here. While Congress moves rapidly to produce a detailed plan, I have made it clear that real reform must uphold three core principles — it must reduce costs, guarantee choice, and ensure quality care for every American.
As we know, challenging the status quo will not be easy. Its defenders will claim our goals are too big, that we should once again settle for half measures and empty talk. Left unanswered, these voices of doubt might yet again derail the comprehensive reform we so badly need. That’s where you come in.
When our opponents spread fear and confusion about the changes we seek, your support for these core principles will show clarity and resolve. When the lobbyists for the status quo tell Congress to hold back, your personal story will give them the courage to press forward.
By declaring your support for the three core principles, you have already taken the first step — thank you. Now, consider sharing your personal story about the importance of health care reform in your life, and the lives of those you love.
I will be personally reviewing many of these signatures and stories. If you speak up now, your voice will make a difference.
http://my.barackobama.com/HealthCareStory
American families are watching their premiums rise four times faster than their wages. Spiraling health care costs are shackling America’s businesses, curtailing job growth and slowing the economy at the worst possible time. This has got to change.
I know personal stories can drive that change, because I know how my mother’s experience continues to drive me. She passed away from ovarian cancer a little over a decade ago. And in the last weeks of her life, when she was coming to grips with her own mortality and showing extraordinary courage just to get through each day, she was spending too much time worrying about whether her health insurance would cover her bills. She deserved better.
Every American deserves better. And that’s why I will not rest until the dream of health care reform is finally achieved in the United States of America.
Share your personal story about why you too will not rest until this job is done.
http://my.barackobama.com/HealthCareStory
Last November, the American people sent Washington a clear mandate for change. But when the polls close, the true work of citizenship begins. That’s what Organizing for America is all about. Now, in these crucial moments, your voice once again has extraordinary power. I’m counting on you to use it.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
I Minister Eeah’ooeh {YahWeh} am in committed agreement. When smaller and poorer Countries like Cuba have better health care for it’s poor and citizens in general [even Americans go there] it is a Global Shame that rests on the USA if as a Leader in World Affairs that we do not “measure up”.