Ohio is a battleground for hate

I am a half-Latina, half-white, lifelong Ohio citizen. Having grown up in southwest Ohio, I was used to being called derogatory names because of my ethnicity. This should be no surprise, given that Ohio is not new to the fight against hate (our state has had a troubling history of discrimination against African-Americans, new immigrants and even Appalachian migrants). However, I fear that hate is becoming more elusive under the guise of anti-immigrant rhetoric.


Nationwide, hate crimes against Latinos have increased over 40 percent in the past decade. It is no coincidence that these crimes correspond with the steady rise in the anti-immigrant movement in the past decade. In Ohio, there are 27 hate groups and eight nativist extremist groups, all of which are designated as such by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Sadly, Ohio ranks fifth in the nation for hate crime incidents.

As these organizations continue to control the immigration debate with falsehoods about immigrants, the real message is more subtle; that is one of fear of "the other." This threatens not just immigrants, but all Americans. The foundational ideology of America is that "all men are created equal." Yet these hate groups are testing this ideology by advocating the singling out of groups that are "undeserving" of constitutional protections and the American dream. As a Latina, I am disturbed by the increase in public buy-in to the anti-immigrant messages. But as an American, I am even more disturbed by the erosion of the very values that have made this nation great. History teaches us that America's strength is our diversity, and our weakness is the fear of diversity. These hate groups jeopardize our progress as a nation and a state by playing on those fears.

Florentina Staigers, Columbus
Published: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - See Cleveland Plain Dealer Post Here with Comments

CIR Resolution of Expression passes unanimously in Columbus

Last night, Monday - July 21, 2010 the Columbus City Council unanimously passed a Resolution of Expression to support Comprehensive Immigration Reform. About 30 CIR organizers, activists and supporters were present to hear the presentation. The resolution was introduced by Councilwoman Charleta Tavares and signed by Councilpersons; Andrew Ginter, Troy Miller, Eileen Paley, Priscilla Tyson, and President ProTempore, Hearcel Craig.

While non-binding, the resolution shows that the Columbus City Council understands the need for CIR and speaks very loud for the leadership of the Columbus.

This is another victory for our fight for Comprehensive Immigration Reform in Ohio. Thanks to all who made it happen!
Ruben Castilla Herrera

City of Columbus Resolution on Comprehensive Immigration Reform to be Introduced TONIGHT - Monday, June 21, 2010

Below is the copy of the Resolution to be presented tonight to City Council. Speaking on behalf of the community on the resolution:

Jeffrey Cohen - Dept. of Anthropology - Ohio State University -
Virginia Lohmann Bauman - Church World Service
Gus Shihab - Immigration Attorney

Hope to see a crowd of supporters tonight!
Ruben Castilla Herrera
__________________________________________

City of Columbus

File Name
To support comprehensive immigration reform and urge action from Congress and the Ohio General Assembly to support the needs of Columbus as well as other cities and towns as we integrate immigrants into Ohio and American community.

Title
To support comprehensive immigration reform and urge action from Congress and the Ohio General Assembly to support the needs of Columbus as well as other cities and towns as we integrate immigrants into Ohio and American communities.

Body
WHEREAS, immigration is a federal responsibility and a comprehensive approach to solve our broken immigration system is necessary to meet the goals of ensuring a thriving and secure community and economy in Columbus and throughout the State of Ohio and the nation; and

WHEREAS, protecting the human and civil rights of immigrants and citizens is paramount to the success of Columbus, the State of Ohio and all communities in America as we move forward in the 21st Century; and

WHEREAS, the inability of government at all levels to reach consensus on a solution to immigration has created financial, cultural and political strains in communities across America; and

WHEREAS, immigration reform must occur in a comprehensive, thoughtful manner that focuses on improving homeland security, helping integrate immigrants into the community and alleviating the costs of providing services such as public safety, language services, housing, health, education, and social services; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of a process whereby undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S. may earn legalized status through payment of appropriate fees, back taxes, background checks, absence of criminal or gang activity, consistent work history, and the ability to meet, English and civics requirements will provide a means for communities to provide greater stability for our newest residents; and

WHEREAS, Congress should increase funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program to provide communities with the necessary resources they need to detain criminals; and

WHEREAS, this Council supports a Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill that keeps families together, upholds our values as Americans, promotes economic growth, and provides a long-term solution to the immigration system; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL:
That this Council requests that Congress enact comprehensive immigration reform that addresses: (1) border security and interior enforcement; (2) workplace enforcement; (3) guest workers; (4) legalization of undocumented workers currently in the U.S.; (5) a path to citizenship for immigrants now in the country; and (6) resources to local and state jurisdictions to alleviate the local impacts of delivering services to new immigrants.

That this Council requests that Congress provide adequate federal funding to help communities integrate new residents into their communities.

That this Council urges the Congress of the United States and the Ohio General Assembly to adopt Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation that includes the framework outlined in Section 1 of this resolution and further urges their opposition to legislation that undermines the principles of said Section.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution shall be delivered to the U.S. Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, members of the Ohio General Assembly, Governor of the state, Ohio Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Resolution to be Presented at Columbus City Council Meeting Monday - June 21, 2010

CALL TO ACTION!!

TODAY!! - June 21, 2010, Councilwoman and CIR supporter Charleta Tavares will be introducing a non-binding resolution at the Columbus City Council Meeting supporting Comprehensive Immigration Reform on a national level. Reform Immigration for America and other individuals have been working with her office on this resolution.

It is important that as many CIR activists and supporters attended the Council Meeting. The meeting begins at 5:00 PM. Reform Immigration for America will be holding a Press Conference after the Resolution is voted upon. We do have the support we need for it to pass!

Columbus will be the second city in Ohio to pass such as resolution. Cleveland passed a similar resolution last month. Toledo has a resolution pending.

It is important to spread the word and work on turn-out for at City Council Chambers.

1.The Columbus City Council Meeting begins at 5pm.
2.The meeting is located at City Hall - 90 West Broad street, Columbus, OH 43215. (However the entrance into the building is from Front Street).
3.Once you enter the building you will sign in at the security guards station (Please note that you will need to have identification when signing in).

Please spread the word. For more information contact:
Ruben Castilla Herrera
Ohio State Director
Reform Immigration for America
rherrera2457@yahoo.com



Columbus is about to jump back into the immigration debate.

SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2010 02:50 AM
BY ROBERT VITALE
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

A month after Mayor Michael B. Coleman touched off a nationwide backlash by banning city-worker travel to Arizona, City Council members are poised to endorse immigration reforms that would both tighten U.S. borders and grant legal status to undocumented workers now in the country.

Councilwoman Charleta B. Tavares will sponsor a resolution on Monday that calls on Congress to "solve our broken immigration system" and urges federal and state lawmakers to help cities pay for the services they provide for immigrants.

"It's a message to Congress: You are responsible, and all 50 states need uniform immigration policies," Tavares said. "It should be done in a comprehensive way, not a piecemeal way."

Four other council members - Hearcel F. Craig, Andrew J. Ginther, A. Troy Miller and Priscilla R. Tyson - are co-sponsoring the resolution, ensuring its passage.

President Michael C. Mentel cannot attend Monday's council meeting, spokesman John Ivanic said. Councilwoman Eileen Paley isn't listed as a sponsor, either, and wasn't available for comment.

Tavares' resolution echoes Coleman's call last month for "comprehensive immigration reform," but it goes far beyond his support for rules that would let immigrants become U.S. citizens.

Among its suggestions:

• Reforms should address border security, as well as enforcement inside the country and within U.S. workplaces.

• Provisions should let undocumented immigrants with clean criminal records earn legal status by paying fees and back taxes, having steady work and meeting English-language requirements.

• Changes should keep families together, protect immigrants' human and civil rights, and "uphold our values as Americans."

Many of the resolution's stands have been proposed by the National League of Cities.

Coleman's Arizona travel ban came in response to that state's new law, which allows police to demand documentation if they suspect people who they've stopped for other reasons are in the country illegally.

rvitale@dispatch.com


http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/06/19/copy/city-to-push-immigration-reform.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

Fairfield supports Arizona-type immigration reform Mayor: ‘Something has to be done’

This is the letter from Fairfield Mayor Ron D'Epifiano to Governor Ted Strickland which he read at last nights Fairfield City Council Meeting (Jun 14, 2101). Stay tuned for details on the meeting

SW Ohio Action Alert: The Fairfield, OH City Council will be meeting tonight to further their Anti-Immigrant Political Agenda!

Meeting Place: 5350 PLEASANT AVENUE
FAIRFIELD, OHIO 45014

Time: 7:00pm

Below is the latest available 1st person report:

"There is no vote or ordinance to be brought up for a vote.

The mayor and council plan to read and sign a letter addressed to Sheriff Jones, the Governor and President in support of Sheriff Jones and his actions.

He was emphatically against not allowing people to be here "illegally", as he said they should "do it the right way".

I asked him to watch the trailer for "9500 Liberty" and explained how a Virginia community passed laws similar to those in Arizona, which they later repealed due to the economic impact (they now have one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country), and the increased cost to staff and run the police department in effort to enforce the laws.

He did not agree to watch the movie or consider my feeble attempts."

UPDATE: The apparent reason as to why this is not on the meeting agenda is because the Mayor is set to raise the issue as a "private citizen"...even though he is the Mayor: Mayor Ron D'Epifiano, 513- 829-4939. 

"I spoke with the Mayor. He said that he is going to offer a letter to the governor and president in support of Sheriff Jones’ and Courtney Combs’ efforts. He said the letter will be offered not as Mayor, but as a private citizen letter. He is asking the council members to sign in private capacities as well.

He claims that he has done research on the impact of illegal immigration. He started spouting talking points about diseases brought into the country from immigrants. He then talked about uninsured drivers having accidents.  He claims he has friends who are legal immigrants from non Hispanic countries. He said he is a first generation US citizen.

I asked if he saw that offering such a letter at a council meeting, while sitting behind a sign saying Fairfield Mayor didn’t look like an official act.  He disagreed. I asked him if he had asked the Hispanic Chamber their views.  He said no. I asked him if he cared if Hispanic business owners would feel unwelcome.  He did not respond."

 

Action:  If you have input on these policies and an interest in Ohio immigration politics:

PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ONE OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL PERSONS; EXPRESS OPPOSITION TO SUCH ACTIONS!

Mike Snyder, First Ward: 513-703-0355, msnyder@fairfield-city.org

Marty Judd, Second Ward: 513-615-5190, mjudd@fairfield-city.org 

Mitch Rhodus, Third Ward: 513-829-0111, mitch@zoomtown.com

Terry Senger, Fourth Ward: 513-829-5712, tsenger@fairfield-city.org 

Tim L. Abbott, Council Member at Large: 513-829-9921, tabbott@fairfield-city.org 

Tim Meyers, Council Member at Large: (Phone Unavailable), tmeyers@fairfield-city.org

Mike Oler, Council Member at Large: 513-829-4003, moler@fairfield-city.org

 

*ALL NUMBERS & E-MAILS ARE AVAILABLE PUBLICLY AT: http://www.fairfield-city.org/council/biographies.cfm  

Brought to you by your friends at LULAC
Leo J. Pierson

WTVN Officials Apologize for Words

Talk-radio's plan to give away trip to Phoenix seen as insensitive

Saturday, June 12, 2010 02:50 AM
By Encarnacion Pyle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

A local talk-radio station has apologized for insensitive language it used to promote a giveaway of a trip to Phoenix after Columbus' mayor suspended city travel to Arizona to protest a new immigration law, city and community representatives say.

Columbus officials said WTVN (610 AM) pledged this week to work with the city to build better community relations after the controversial promotion.

The apology reportedly came on-air last week and during a meeting with community leaders on Tuesday. The promotion, which ran in May, characterized Phoenix as a city "where Americans are proud and illegals are scared." It also suggested that the winner could spend the weekend "chasing aliens."

The giveaway offended many advocacy groups, including Reform Immigration for America, which held a news conference denouncing the promotion.

Jose Luis Mas, chairman of the Ohio Hispanic Coalition, said he's pleased that WTVN admitted a mistake.

"It was a lame attempt at humor at the expense of a vulnerable community," Mas said.

Mike Elliott, program director at WTVN, didn't return several phone calls.

Officials with the radio station and its parent company, Clear Channel Communications, met with community representatives this week to hash out their concerns, said Napoleon Bell, executive director of Columbus' Community Relations Committee.

He said in an e-mail that the commission sent a letter to WTVN this week expressing its "condemnation of the language used in the promotion."

When the controversy first erupted, Elliott said the company did not plan to apologize and disagreed that the promotion contained racial overtones. He said the contest was created to capitalize on the debate kicked up by Mayor Michael B. Coleman's travel restriction last month.

Although the incident divided the community, Mas said, it should be celebrated as a learning opportunity.

"I think a lot of people misunderstand the challenges facing immigrants," Mas said.

epyle@dispatch.com