Cable news blamed for rise in Latino 'hate crimes'
'La Raza' targets guests who call illegals 'invaders,' blame them

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Posted: February 2, 2008
1:00 a.m. Eastern



© 2008 WorldNetDaily.com


The fierce debate over illegal immigration on cable news channels could be the cause of a purported increase in hate crimes against Latinos, charges the radical Hispanic rights group National Council of La Raza.

The group, which says it's launching a campaign against vilification of immigrants and Hispanic Americans, wants to meet executives of the Fox News Channel, MSNBC and CNN and press them to stop "handing hate a microphone" on their programs, the Dallas Morning News reported.

"This surge of hate is being driven by a relatively small but vocal and extreme segment of our society," said Janet Murguia, La Raza's president and chief executive.

Murguia claims a 25-percent increase in hate crimes against Latinos between 2004 and 2006, according to FBI statistics the group compiled.

The group, the Dallas paper reported, has called on Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee to renounce his endorsement by Minuteman Project co-founder Jim Gilchrist, an opponent of open borders who frequently appears on cable news shows.


Gilchrist responded to the Morning News, calling La Raza a racial supremacy group that "dwarfs the combination of Black Panthers, KKK, American Indian Movement and Asian gangs."

As WND reported, La Raza, which means "The Race," was condemned in 2006 by Rep. Charles Norwood, R-Ga., as a radical "pro-illegal immigration lobbying organization that supports racist groups calling for the secession of the western United States as a Hispanic-only homeland."

The Dallas paper said a variety of civil rights organizations have monitored the rise of code words or phrases to describe illegal immigrants, such as an "invading force," "a massive horde" or "swarm." The groups also object to illegals being accused of "bringing crime and disease" to America, including "gang warfare," and of being part of a conspiracy of "reconquista" or "Atzlan" – the taking back of lands in the southwestern U.S.

The Morning News said CNN Worldwide's CEO agreed to meet with the group, and Murguia will be interviewed Monday night by host Lou Dobbs, a strong opponent of illegal immigration.

Fox News declined comment, and MSNBC officials said they look forward to receiving NCLR's letter, according to the paper.

Murguia said her group wants to solve the problem amicably, but indicated the growing Hispanic community might use its economic clout and put pressure on the advertisers if the networks don't respond.

She also warned that anyone running for political office who embraces the same rhetoric risks defeat.

WND reported in November that La Raza issued a report calling for the release of any illegal aliens who are arrested, if they happen to be parents.

In May, WND reported La Raza had virtual veto power over the immigration billpromoted by the White House that failed amid charges it granted "amnesty" for millions of people who came to the U.S. illegally.


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