Once again fellow patriots, the Denver Post releases an article sympathizing with the illegal aliens who don't belong here, let along don't belong working when so many of our fellow citizens are out of jobs right now. I was reading the sunday paper today when I came across this story, I have provided a link aswell. Anyways, it sounds to me like the Denver post is trying to brainwash people into thinking that just because a Mexican can write poetry, justifies his right to be here and work illegally and spead nonsense around like "Justice for Day Laborers".


Denver janitor-poet pens verses of protest
Juan Manuel Patraca says seeking justice for immigrants is increasingly his passion.
By Bruce Finley

As janitor Juan Manuel Patraca of Mexico mops and vacuums Denver- area office towers by night, he also collects ideas for protest poetry.

His self-published collection, "Bio graphies of Humble People," is circulating among workers at a day-labor center and among fellow migrants.

"I want my people to rise up," he said. "I want them to read my poetry and defend their rights."

An unauthorized immigrant and union activist, Patraca, 42, grew up in cattle country near Veracruz, Mexico, and never completed school. He jots his ideas while riding the bus from work — and over quesadillas before sunrise in his $550-a-month apartment.

He lived for a time in a homeless shelter. In addition to cleaning offices, he worked as a mechanic. He fitted a mountain bike with an electric motor, which speeds his commutes between bus stops and buildings.
But poetry — and justice for immigrant janitors — is increasingly his passion.


Juan Manuel Patraca, an undocumented immigrant from Vera Cruz, Mexico, looks through his recently published a book of poetry. The janitor, activist and writer never went to school and taught himself how to read, write and speak English with the help of friends and from practicing with people at bus stops. Judy DeHaas, The Denver Post (THE DENVER POST | JUDY DEHAAS)mechanic. He fitted a mountain bike with an electric motor, which speeds his commutes between bus stops and buildings.
But poetry — and justice for immigrant janitors — is increasingly his passion.

Self-made man

One poem, "Devils and Demons," takes aim at an assistant supervisor who yelled at employees and joked about breaking their hard-won contract: "When I point out his unjust acts, he drools and turns his snout, losing what little calm he possesses."

Others pay homage to Che Guevara, a Mexican pink sweater and cigar- smoking Grandmother Amanda.

Fellow activists at El Centro Humanitario de Trabajadores know Patraca as a self-made man with a mythical past. They're helping to promote his 126-page book, written in Spanish and translated to English. The volume includes some of his own artwork.

"People would be surprised at some of the art day laborers make," said Jesus Orrantia, program director at El Centro. Patraca "is a really good leader, and his poetry inspires a lot of people."

About 50 copies from the 250-copy press run have sold over the past two weeks at Computers and Beyond on East Colfax Avenue and at public readings, including one at a church in Aurora last week.

"It's good here"

Like millions of other migrants from Mexico and Central America, Patraca lacks the required green card to work (he overstayed his 2001 tourist visa).

He's bitter about former employers who, after threatening to expose him, paid him 8 hours' wages for 12-hour workdays, and $300 for 90-hour weeks.

And yet, living here appeals.

"A janitor here can make more than a lawyer in my country," he said. "It's good here. Injustice exists, but not as bad as in Mexico."

His earnings in Denver helped him to buy land and a house in Mexico, and to support a 13-year-old daughter who lives with his former wife.

He says some well-heeled office workers now seem to regard him differently as he pushes his squeaky trash cart down their halls.

Before, when he told them he wrote poetry, they mostly just nodded and smiled, he said.

Last week he showed off his book — and sold three copies.

The owner of a company who found out about his book suggested he come to her house for dinner.

"She told me, 'Congratulations. We need to celebrate this event.' "

Bruce Finley: 303-954-1700 or bfinley@denverpost.com

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_12754990