Thread: Kansas City: La Raza left because it objects to extremism

Posted on Sat, Nov. 03, 2007
La Raza left because it objects to extremism


Last month, the National Council of La Raza’s board of directors voted unanimously to withdraw our 2009 annual conference from Kansas City and hold the event elsewhere.

Our decision was based on the appointment by Mayor Mark Funkhouser of Frances Semler, an active member of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, to an official position in his administration. While I can’t address every issue raised since the controversy erupted, the views and passion expressed — on both sides of the issue — deserve a response.

Some continue to suggest that this is a policy dispute. It is not. Our decision was not motivated by Frances Semler’s policy views, which she has every right to hold. It is based upon our objection to doing business with a city that harbors officials who actively participate in extremist groups.

Others have noted that some of my earlier statements did not always distinguish between the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and other groups that bear the Minuteman name. Some confusion is understandable because the Minuteman’s founders have split, are suing each other and are accusing the other of malfeasance.

But make no mistake — the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps is a vigilante group, and Semler actively participates in it.

Its leader, Chris Simcox, with whom Semler stood by at a press conference, was convicted in 2003 of carrying a weapon into a national park while searching for illegal immigrants. Also that year, he was quoted as saying: “So far, we’ve had restraint, but I’m afraid that restraint is wearing thin. Take heed of our weapons because we’re going to defend our borders by any means necessary.â€

Like La Raza isn't am extremist group? Give me a break.

It looks like the ADL, SPLC, and La Raza have teamed up to lash out at once in anger over our successes beating down their legislation.

It may be time to rumble, the ADL and SPLC and La Race are lying.

Flat out lies in their work and we can blow holes in it with the truth.

W

If Janet is moving her organization out of Kansas City, may I suggest, perhaps, Mexico City where more people will be interested in what she and her followers have to say?