Thread: Immigration law in Arizona sparks Toledo protest

Immigration law in Arizona sparks Toledo protest
Policy likened to Nazi Germany
Toledo Blade
May 2, 2010
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar ... 16/5020328

Arizona's controversial new immigration law drew the ire and disgust of some Toledo Latinos Saturday, such as former City Councilman Louis Escobar who likened the western state to Nazi Germany.

Former Toledo City Councilman Louis Escobar compared Arizona's immigration law with policies of Nazi Germany.

"I am a second-generation American and I was elected by the people and yet I could go to the state of Arizona and a police officer would be in his right to ask that I prove that I am an American citizen," Mr. Escobar said after about 40 people marched in South Toledo at Broadway and Logan Street.

"I would go to jail because I am not about to produce some papers," he said. "All I can think of is Nazi Germany."

Representatives from the Latino Alliance of Greater Toledo and the Farm Labor Organizing Committee of Toledo organized the rally before traveling to Detroit to join thousands marching in that city's Mexican Town.

Civil rights advocates across the nation have vowed to challenge the tough new law targeting illegal immigration, saying it will lead to racial profiling of Hispanics.

The Arizona law requires immigrants to carry their alien registration documents at all times and requires police to question people whom they suspect are in the United States illegally. Police would be able to detain someone based on the suspicion that he or she entered the country illegally.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill on Friday that makes changes to the controversial law that she said should ease concerns about racial profiling.

Police could stop suspected illegal immigrants only while enforcing some other law or ordinance, such as speeding.

Connie Eason, left, Martha Delgaso, and Jesus Salas march for immigration reform in downtown Toledo. Two Toledo groups organized the rally before marching in Detroit's Mexican Town.

That is not enough for FLOC President Baldemar Velasquez, who said he's worried other states, including Ohio, will introduce "copycat bills."

"The wrong-headed people got their way and woe to those who pass unjust laws because the government and a majority of people can pass unjust laws," he said. "That's what they did during the civil rights movements like Jim Crow laws and that's what they did in Nazi Germany."

Mr. Velasquez said Arizona is treating a misdemeanor too harshly. "It is not a felony to be here without papers," he said. "It's a misdemeanor and the punishment should fit the crime. You don't fine someone $10,000 for speeding."

Former Toledo City Councilman Louis Escobar

Another former politician HACk who needs to get his name out there to stay relevant. READ THE BILL STUPID

Yep, I am originally from Toledo. They have an entire downtown street named after some hispanic judge or someone complete with mexican flag motif on the street signs. I can't imagine what this goodly judge did that no other judge on the Toledo judicial bench does not do. I now live in SE Michigan and we had our own Stinko Di parade right through downtown replete with American flag-waving "undocumented citizens." Ugh! However, this year they did not have the United States Army National Guard at the head of the parade like last year

The May 2, 2010 Sunday Toledo Blade has an article which states, "Woman given 4 years in prostitution of minor." The article states, "Five Fulton County men convicted of related sex crimes against children have been sentenced to prison terms, and will be turned over to federal immigration authorities for deportation," which probably means no jail time. "They are Jose Jimenez-Jimenez, 29, Ismaiel Pacheco, 35, Mezia Sinforiano, 62, Pablo Trigueros, 60, and Wilmar Bravo, 21. No suprises here, move along there is nothing to see..........

However, this year they did not have the United States Army National Guard at the head of the parade like last year Mad