Thread: Latino leaders blame Barletta for IA's death....

Please ALIPAC'ERS ...this paper the Morning Call in Quakertown is totally pro-illegal alien..the paper is over 50 miles from where this incident occurred and isn't even sold anywhere near the Shenandoah area..the so-called "vigil" was staged by pro-illegal alien advocates in the Allentown/Quakertown area for self-serving reasons......Please leave your comments at the source.....thank you!

link: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_ ... 1386.story

ON THE FATAL BEATING OF LUIS RAMIREZ
Vigils call for tolerance
Shenandoah and Allentown leaders say ethnic tensions had role in Mexican's death

By Arlene MartÃ*nez | Of The Morning Call
August 11, 2008

Vigils Call For Tolerance

At Sacred Heart Church in Allentown, Marcos Urbana (left) talks about the meaning of Luis Ramirez's death in Shenandoah. With Urbina are (from left) the Rev. Manfred K. Bahmann, the Rev. David Kozak, Jesus Ramos and Fernando Almazan. (Rich Schultz/Special to The Morning Call / August 11, 200

In two communities Sunday, people came together to dissect the poisonous atmosphere that helped spark the fatal beating of Mexican national Luis Ramirez by a group of white teenagers.

In Shenandoah, the Schuylkill County borough where the beating happened, residents and religious leaders called for unity and tolerance. They acknowledged ethnic tensions within the changing community makeup but said borough residents had a lot of good to offer.

The mood at the Allentown vigil was more political, with Hispanic advocates criticizing Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta and Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli for helping to create an anti-Hispanic climate.

The fatal beating occurred on July 12, as Ramirez, 25, walked home with his fiancee's sister. Police said the teenagers ran into Ramirez at 11:30 p.m. and told the woman to ''get your Mexican boyfriend out of here,'' according to court documents. When Ramirez responded, ''What's your problem?'' the fight began.

Video

Related links

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Schuylkill County Press Conference About Ramirez Slaying Video
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PHOTOS: Teens charged in beating death PHOTOS: Teens charged in beating death Photos
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DOCUMENT: Police Criminal Complaint vs. Brandon Piekarsky (PDF)

The teenagers beat Ramirez so severely he never regained consciousness, authorities said. Two days later, the father of three died.

Colin J. Walsh, 17, and Brandon J. Piekarsky, 16, were charged as adults with homicide, ethnic intimidation and related offenses. Derrick M. Donchak, 18, was charged with aggravated assault, ethnic intimidation and related crimes. All live in Shenandoah.

Police said a fourth teenager, who is 17, was being charged as a juvenile for other offenses.

On Sunday, the Rev. Brunilda Martinez expressed disappointment at the size of the crowd: About 60 people gathered for a ''Reconnecting Healing Service'' Sunday afternoon at First United Methodist Church in Shenandoah.

The bad publicity the borough is getting could translate instead into opportunity for showcasing its strengths, she said. ''That is a challenge for us. You say what? I can prove you wrong,'' said Martinez. ''We are going to make a new Shenandoah for our children and our grandchildren.''

Outside Sacred Heart Church in Allentown, nearly 50 people gathered, holding candles near a sign that said ''No to Racial Discrimination.''

Marcos Urbina, president of the Mexican Cultural Association of the Lehigh Valley, said Barletta and Morganelli seemed to forget their families had at one time also been immigrants. He criticized those who said Ramirez was in part to blame for being in the country illegally.

''This man isn't dead because he was here illegally,'' Urbina said. ''This man is dead because he was Hispanic. It could have been me or anyone else.''

Ann Van Dyke, assistant director of the state Human Relations Commission, said the small coal town fits the profile of a community more prone to fostering hostilities.

In such places there might be fear about the changing demographics, Van Dyke said. She said there's a separation based on race, ethnicity or economics, youth feel alienated and often, the place may be struggling economically.

''The eyes of the country are on you. Now is the time to define Shenandoah,'' she told attendees in Shenandoah.

In a report released earlier this year, the Southern Poverty Law Center found 33 hate groups in Pennsylvania in 2007, up from 27 in 2006.

The Alabama-based civil rights group linked that increase in part to growing anti-Hispanic sentiment, pointing to FBI data that showed 819 hate crimes against the ethnic group in 2006, a 38 percent increase from 2003.

Anthony Stevens-Arroyo, who teaches Puerto Rican studies at Brooklyn College, said while there may be an anti-Hispanic feeling now, it's always some group.

''It's not just now. It's not just Shenandoah,'' said Stevens-Arroyo, who spoke in the borough.

Racial and ethnic tensions have existed as long as humans have been around, he said.

Allentown Councilman Julio Guridy said Barletta's attempts to get legislation fining landlords who rent or employ illegal immigrants was instrumental in creating a situation where people could feel comfortable giving in to their hate.

He called on state and national leaders to get serious about passing meaningful immigration reform.

Is there a link so I can leave comments?

''This man isn't dead because he was here illegally,'' Urbina said. ''This man is dead because he was Hispanic. It could have been me or anyone else.''

tell that to the parents of the black Americans killed by Latino MS-13 members in Illinois.

So 60 showed up huh? The smart ones stayed home. They don't want to be involved in a case that is questionable.

I've heard other reports on this and once its in court it may be a whole different story.

The bad publicity the borough is getting could translate instead into opportunity for showcasing its strengths, she said. ''That is a challenge for us. You say what? I can prove you wrong,'' said Martinez. ''We are going to make a new Shenandoah for our children and our grandchildren.''

There they go again. "We are going to make a "new Shenandoah for our chidrend and grandchildren."

Outside Sacred Heart Church in Allentown, nearly 50 people gathered, holding candles near a sign that said ''No to Racial Discrimination.''

They need to stop making this a "Racial Discrimination" issue.

''This man isn't dead because he was here illegally,'' Urbina said. ''This man is dead because he was Hispanic. It could have been me or anyone else.''

Again, this is NOT about "Racial Discrimination".

Allentown Councilman Julio Guridy said Barletta's attempts to get legislation fining landlords who rent or employ illegal immigrants was instrumental in creating a situation where people could feel comfortable giving in to their hate.

Barletta had nothing to do with this crime. Making sure the law is carried out IS NOT creating the tensions between the people. The tensions have been building due to illegal immigration. American families are being displaced from jobs, their neighborhoods are becoming trashy, gangs are hanging around committing crimes, illegal aliens are on street corners gathered in mobs looking for work. People are mad, and we are sick and tired of taking a back seat to illegal immigrants WHO HAVE NO RIGHT TO BE HERE! FOR GOODNESS SAKE, GO HOME!

When will these folks get off the race thing? America is a dangerous country--whites clobbering whites, etc. I have no sympathy for anyone who came illegally (a crime) to take advantage of our economy (and subsequently is destroying it) and our good hearts giving alms to the poor.
No, the teens weren't right and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Originally Posted by vortex

When will these folks get off the race thing? America is a dangerous country--whites clobbering whites, etc. I have no sympathy for anyone who came illegally (a crime) to take advantage of our economy (and subsequently is destroying it) and our good hearts giving alms to the poor.
No, the teens weren't right and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

NEVER its the only argument they have because nothing else holds water. Every argument they use is a can with so many holes you'd die of thirst before getting anything substantive from it.

The Alabama-based civil rights group linked that increase in part to growing anti-Hispanic sentiment, pointing to FBI data that showed 819 hate crimes against the ethnic group in 2006,

They fail to mention it was blacks and hispanics against each other, mostly in the gang related area. The implication here doesn't reflect the true facts.

Such nonsense! Louis Barletta is a calm, rational and law abiding man. He had nothing to do with the Illegal that was killed in Pennsylvania….personally I think that we the American public have not been told the entire story behind that crime. In any event, regardless of the facts behind that crime…. the best way for illegals to ensure not getting hurt or worse in the United States is not to come here in the first place….

NEVER its the only argument they have because nothing else holds water. Every argument they use is a can with so many holes you'd die of thirst before getting anything substantive from it.

Got that right!

Originally Posted by crazybird

NEVER its the only argument they have because nothing else holds water. Every argument they use is a can with so many holes you'd die of thirst before getting anything substantive from it.

Got that right!

The American citizen is getting tired of the turning everything to race. They obviously aren't watching the polls drop for Obama. He keeps trying to blame people because "he looks different, has a funny name, etc." Since then and the European trip he's number have plummeted. The pro-illegal groups need to watch that and get a clue. The American people are SICK OF IT.