Thread: Rally's focus: Hispanic rights

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/s ... 188507.htm


Rally's focus: Hispanic rights

Advocates plan to march in Topeka, petitioning for easier access to health care and education for Hispanics who are illegally in the United States.

BY CHRISTINA M. WOODS

The Wichita Eagle


Thousands of Hispanic residents are expected to descend on Topeka this week to ask state legislators for rights for undocumented and illegal immigrants.

The residents will march for better access to education and health care in an event organizers are calling Out of the Shadows.

"For too long, the 'illegal' name has stigmatized our people," said Sulma Arias, director of special projects for Hispanos Unidos -- a chapter of Sunflower Community Action, which is organizing the march.

"The system forces them to feel they have to live in the shadows."

Sunflower, an organization dedicated to community improvement, has planned two marches in Topeka since 2001 to bring political attention to immigrants' everyday situations, Arias said.

Representatives of Hispanic groups will talk to lawmakers Tuesday about the need for better access to health care. A lack of insurance coverage and translators to help answer questions often blocks them access to proper care, organizers said.

In addition, they want continued support of the law allowing children of undocumented or illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at universities.

"We hope (legislators) are open-minded about these things and will explore the possibility of making people's lives better in the state," said Father Juan Fahey Guerra, director of Hispanic Ministries for the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City.

They also want lawmakers to grant driver's licenses to undocumented or illegal immigrants.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has met with the group in the past and is supportive of their effort to get licenses, according to Nicole Corcoran, Sebelius' spokeswoman.

"As former insurance commissioner, Gov. Sebelius believes it is much more beneficial for people to be driving with insurance," Corcoran said in a statement. "Our community suffers when accidents occur and there is no insurance to assist with financial aspects accidents bring."

Sunflower lobbied the legislators last year on the same issue without success.

Those who are opposed, such as Wichita lawyer Kevin Mark Smith, say state regulatory agencies can give immigrants access to insurance without the legislature granting them driver's licenses.

"I don't think our state should reward criminals," Smith said. "From an illegal immigrant standpoint, when someone crosses the border without authority, they are breaking the law."

There are more than 89,000 undocumented or illegal immigrants in Kansas, according to the Census Bureau, with more than 20,000 living in Wichita. Sunflower, however, places the number living in Wichita at about 55,000.

Organizers in western Kansas have made an effort to get more people from their area to this year's march, according to Fahey Guerra.

"With all of the anti-immigrant feelings that have been around since 9/11, the important thing for us is to act with a certain amount of dignity and not let ourselves be ignored," he said.

What is it about the word 'illegal' do these birdbrains not understand? Rights? What rights? Illegal rights?

" Sunflower, however, places the number living in Wichita at about 55,000. "


I think Bears and Stearns estimate of 20 million illegals is the closest to the truth of it. What should scare anyone is that we don't have a clue how many are actually here.

So,they're going to protest. Okeedokee....but GAWD forbid if US citizens do that on our land in Arizona!! WAKE UP AMERICA!

can't post yet toooooooooooooooo mad






AND OUR CORRUPT GOVERNMENT STILL CHOOSES TO DO NOTHING!!!!!!!!!

Unbelievable! The arrogance of these illegals and their proponents is staggering!

But it shouldn't be surprising ... they're just taking the lead of Fox-ee. Heck, with his comic book on how to cross the border safely, he's probably published a yet-to-be discovered guide to ILLEGALS on "how to bilk the U.S. with a smile on your face!"

AAAAAAARRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!@@@!@!

The title of this thread is misleading. Before I opened it up it said Rally Focus on Hispanic Rights. Hispanic Rights? Well Hispanics have equal rights. Oh you meant to say Rally Focus on Invader Rights. Well Invaders only have two rights. The right to be treated humanely and the right to a proper deportation process. Having the right to be treated humanely doesn't mean your automatically entitled to every taxpayer benefit known to man. Arrogance is right. If we demanded these benefits the government would laugh at us, but not if your an invader.

The second right which is a right to a proper deportation process is obviously not being done by the government. Start sending these squatters home Mr Bush and stop listening to your brain Karl Rove and your buddies at First Data/Western Union and the rest of the Wall Street Journal extremist who don't care if our country becomes a sewer because they get to earn a buck at our expense while being well protected inside a gated community. (Not holding my breathe on Bush doing what's right of course)

I also had to cool off before posting a response.

"For too long, the 'illegal' name has stigmatized our people," said Sulma Arias, "The system forces them to feel they have to live in the shadows."

If your people are "stigmatized," they brought it on themselves by being in this country illegally.

In the shadows? Isn't that where criminals belong?

Just can't believe the arrogance of some people.

There might be a silver lining in this cloud......This type of arrogance might very well backfire. More and more Americans will get angry.

March?
Why don't you march due south. In a few days you will be back in Mexico where you belong.

Originally Posted by dataman

March?
Why don't you march due south. In a few days you will be back in Mexico where you belong.

Hehe! Good suggestion!

I went on the website of the Sunflower Community Action.

Here is what they had posted about education:
"More than 50,000 immigrant students graduate from high school each year in this country who are effectively denied a college education because they cannot afford to pay tuition at the out-of-state rate. These students, brought to this country by their parents, are typically in the lengthy citizenship process and want to be part of an educated workforce."

"Lengthly citizenship process? When you are illegal it is longer than lengthly.

"Sunflower organizing staff knock on doors to identify potential leaders and identify the issues that concern our neighbors. Potential leaders are trained to take action together for change. "

We are VERY concerned and are taking action. Thank you for the advice!

I have the persons e-mail address but don't know if it can be posted.
Any advice?

I sent the following to Ms. Woods and Ms. Arias:

I read your article "Advocates plan to march in Topeka, petitioning for easier access to health care and education for Hispanics who are illegally in the United States." The first topic for education would be to
respect the laws of the United States and stay out unless you have legal permission to be here.
It takes quite a bit of nerve to demand health care, subsidized or paid for by the American taxpayer, when you are in this country illegally.
A march? Great idea. Head south and in a few days you will be back in Mexico where you can ask Mr. Fox to provide services.

Originally Posted by dataman

I sent the following to Ms. Woods and Ms. Arias:

I read your article "Advocates plan to march in Topeka, petitioning for easier access to health care and education for Hispanics who are illegally in the United States." The first topic for education would be to
respect the laws of the United States and stay out unless you have legal permission to be here.
It takes quite a bit of nerve to demand health care, subsidized or paid for by the American taxpayer, when you are in this country illegally.
A march? Great idea. Head south and in a few days you will be back in Mexico where you can ask Mr. Fox to provide services.

Very good, dataman, very good! If only Ms. Woods and Ms. Arias listen. HA! Good luck!