It's so comforting to know that my congressman is publicly supporting anarchists, socialists and pro-crime elements while hanging his backcountry veteran constituency out to dry. I guess his supposed affection for veterans only applies to those who embrace his personal philosophy.
We residents have long known that he views his bit of the backcountry as nothing more than a means to get from his Chula Vista constituency to his Imperial Valley constituency. Backcountry folks are getting burned out in border and railroad fires, have their "private" property invaded and vandalized nightly, and suffer all the stress that goes with being a target for smugglers, border bandits. And NOW, they have mr. Filner's good friends rifling through their mailboxes and spying on them in their very back yards.
[Reposted, since the first post seems to have been censored.]
HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM
WHEN: Saturday September 3, 2005 3:30-5:00pm
WHERE: Chula Vista Public Library-Civic Center Branch Auditorium
I made there, from Riverside, in plenty of time.
I circled the area, to get a feel for the streets. There was a rally in the park next to the library for Bob Filner, who was listed as a speaker at the forum.
On entering, the Chula Vista PD were passing out "Rules of conduct for Protesters" or 5-points to observe, so they won't have to beat your ass.
3:45 Head count
Audience Media Cops
21 5 (3-cameras) 5
4:30 Head Count (almost ready to start)
Audience Media Cops
25 5 (3-cameras) 5
4:39
45? 5 (3-cameras) 5
[Later there might have been a few more who came in, but then 3 left.]
Filner finally showed up at the forum, and then the organizers, finally got it underway.
The MC, said we would hear from Filner, a special guest, and then the main speaker Eddie Herrera, would speak.
Filner, gave an ass-kissing speech for the reconquistas, the Open Borders Coalition, and cursed the vigilante Minutemen. He was to the point , quick and professional. No opportunity for questions. Damned, I wanted to make him eat his words. maybe his speech will be posed on his website, then we can dissect it, and feed it back to him, with some secret sauce.
The special guest speaker, was a former gang banger named Rigoberto "Rigo" NoLastName. He was drunk, and went into a rambling speech, detailing an encounter with the "racist vigilante minutemen", late one night, out along some desolate stretch of the border, were he and his wife, took their young daughter, to confront "the racist vigilante minutemen". Rigo said he erupted in anger, as his young daughter was, out there in the night, and she was holding a flashlight, and directed her light into the eyes of a "minuteman vigilante". Well, this big bad minuteman put his hand on his daughter's flashlight, so as to get it out of his eyes. This act, sent Rigo, into protective mode for his loving young daughter, and he assaulted the offending minuteman. During Rigo's speech, the audience was obviously upset and agast at his lack of preparation or rehearsal. Three people got up an left. It wasn't until someone, blurted out a question or comment that Rigo, stopped talking. The MC, quickly jumped up at regain control of the forum. At least Rigo was speaking from his heart. He is not a professional speaker, but he gets his point across. He is a humbled man, but I wouldn't want to piss him off. He should probably be counseled by a social worker, clergy, the police, and Jim Gilchrist.
I later made the point that he and his wife, where endangering the life of their child, by taking her out to a desolate stretch of the border, late at night. They smiled and shrugged. We shook hands and said goodbye.
Eddie Herrera, took the podium, and got into his speech. He spoke about James Chase and Jim Gilchrist (he pronounced "gill Christ"), calling them racists and vigilantes. I wished both were just outside the door, listening on cellphone, ready to come on in and take a seat, in front of him, rather than he talk behind their backs that way.
Eddie, was somewhat fair in the use of "legal and undocumented immigrant", when discussing the problems, but I still want to read his speech in writing. It should be posted in a few other forums, and an email sent to Eddie, so he can look at the comments. This is only fair to give him some feedback, from the masses, and let the masses dissect his speech. It should prove valuable.
Also in the audience were some opposition participants from CMM Border Watch at Campo, CA. One female bragged about how they had 200 against only 30 minutemen. Their superior numbers gave them an obvious advantage. I recognized some from the pictures in SOS and Indymedia.
One issue that was made was that SOS and Minutemen, Wave the American flag, in the face of the Open Borders Coalition. What was not said was that the OBC are just as free to wave American flags too, but their flag of choice seems to be the Mexican flag, M.E.Ch.A flag, Anarchist flag, for some reason.
I was going to mention Loscristeros.org, but since I had over extended my time, I held back. But, if anyone wants to decry the human rights violations against Mexicans, a crime which is aided and abetted by the Mexican government and policias themselves, then the plight of the child prostitutes of Tijuana, and those who are being kidnapped and smuggled across the border to service the Mexican farm laborers, in the American fields, should be addressed, in such a forum about human rights.
The issue of the Minutemen carrying guns was made, by Eddie Herrera. The counterpoint was made that the US Constitution, Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights, gives Americans the right to keep and bear arms. [Actually, the Bill of Rights does not give anybody any rights, The Bill of Rights, restricts the American government from taking our basic human rights away. Another point that was missed by Eddie Herrera.]
[The citizens give up their rights to the US government, when they fail to study the issues, and vote irresponsibly.]
Another point was made that under California state laws, even a convicted felon, such as Rigo, could possess a gun, if he was acting to defend a life.
I seriously doubt anyone in that audience has bothered to read the US Constitution or the Bill of Rights. If they had, they might see where US citizen patriots, like the Minutemen, get their justification, for duty, in service to their country, when the US government fails to act properly or promptly, in response to a crisis situation.
Eddie Herrera, mentioned the issue of terrorism being exploited by the Minutemen Project, in efforts to enforce border security. The Minutemen do not enforce, border security, they aide the BP.
Point was made that the USA has been under illegal invasion for the last 50 years. The USA interests have been attacked before 9/11. The WTC was attacked before 9/11. America is at war, and there are persons who are extremely motivated to come into the USA and carry out attacks of the nightmarish potential.
Missed opportunity was no mention of the Ussama bin laden's February 1986 Fatwah against the USA, declaring war against the USA.
One man in the audience, identified himself as, an American, a resident of Mexico, and a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He asked what he could do while south of the border? I wanted to tell him, the best service to Mexicans, he could do was to educate them about the dangers of illegal immigration, the risks, and what to really expect from the employers of illegals. In other words any way to discourage the illegal crossing, and encourage legal entry into the USA. Yes, I know it takes time, to do it the correct way, but it takes time for a reason. Accept it.
Eddie Herrera's speech should be posted on his website. If you don't see it there by Sept 6, 05, then you may want to email him and request he post it on his website. I doubt he has the guts to do so.
e-mail::
HRCC@Representative.com
Homepage::
http://www.CaliforniaHumanRights.tk
Eddie mentioned a Mexican house with two cars in the driveway, and how both father and mother have to work 2 jobs each, and struggle, in order to make enough to support their family and their lifestyle. Counterpoint was made that this has been an issue across the board, with all races facing the same problems. An Asian couple, was working two jobs each, to support their two children, a 4 bedroom house and two Mercedes Benz, in the garage. This over achievement, resulted in their children, feeling neglected, and engaging in problematic behaviors. One daughter complained, that all she ever wanted was for her parents to express their love, not to buy them stuff.
Since the Women's Liberation movement, when women left the house to go into a career, leaving the children, in daycare or schools. With the increase, in home income, inflation climbed, as greedy businesses raised prices, to take more from the family, leaving less for savings and leisure. Now with NAFTA, and the outsourcing, and influx of illegal immigration, jobs are more competitive, and the wages are lower, resulting in a deficit, between income and spending.
At the forum I missed an opportunity on the "racist" issue. You see early on in Eddie's speech he asked, "if there were any minutemen in the audience." Not wanting to taint the outcome of the forum, I kept silent. I should have asked, "if there were any racists in the audience." I would have held up my hand and got the expected bad looks and comments. Then I would ask all the white men to stand up. I would say, "You are all racists, because only white men can be racists. Blacks, Hispanics, Mexicans, Latinos, Asians, cannot be racists, but they can call a white man a racist, and if they call you a racist long enough, then the public believes you are all racists.
From San Diego Indy Media website:
http://www.sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2005/08/110685.shtml
The Human Rights Coalition of California will be launching a human rights campaign against
the racism of the Minuteman Project. The coalition is inviting members of the public to
attend the forum. Topics will include: mapping the sociological consequences of the
presence of vigilante supremacist groups in America and its effect on Mexican immigrants...
Note: The Minutemen don't care about legal immigrants of any race. The Minutemen are concerned with the illegal-immigrants, who ignore existing laws of the USA controlling immigration into the USA. Thus the Minutemen are about protecting the health and general welfare of our great nation, as delineated in the US Constitution.
"UNITE AGAINST THE INFLICTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY THE MINUTEMAN PROJECT
TOWARDS MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS AND MEXICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES"
That sounds like they, are opposed to the Minutemen inflicting human rights on Mexican
immigrants and Mexican-American families. Isn't that what we are supposed to do? The
Minutemen give positive benefits to the human rights of legal immigrants and Mexican
American families, by reporting the entry of illegal-immigrants into the USA, so the Border
patrol can arrest, and deport them to Mexico, or home, thus, protecting all persons legally in
the USA, from the problems created by an invasion of illegal-immigrants. One more
question: Where is the racism?
On the subject of racism and racists, I doubt if Eddie Herrera, could spot a racist in the
mirror. He is in serious denial. If defending the country is done by racists, then we have a
few million on the payroll, they are called: sailors, soldiers, airmen and marines, then there
are the FBI, CIA, DEA, ICE, DHS, and the rest of our government.
They called it a Human Rights Forum, but failed to discuss what basic human rights are, and how we could all lose our rights. Rather, they used the forum to attack the Minutemen Project.
My new enemies are Bob Filner and Eddie Herrera.
more...
Counterpoint to the terrorists who will attempt to cross our borders. The Minutemen feel, it is better to stop terrorists, at the borders, than to witness, horrific terrorist attacks, on
school buses, transit buses, trains, police cars, etc. Imagine the effects of a terrorist wearing an explosive vest, against a crowd of people, at a church, synagogue, mosque, shopping center or movie theater. Imagine the assassinations, kidnappings, and murders, of local politicians, police officials, judges, doctors, etc. Imagine the reality that your worst fears have come true, that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are being used on a daily basis, to attack the people here in the USA or the "Sum of All Fears" a nuclear weapon is detonated. Imagine the counter attacks, and civil war that would be the result, of such terrorism. I prefer that we do not reach that reality, ever. That is why I am a Minuteman.
Counterpoint to the Minutemen carrying guns while on duty. Guns are instruments of defense, or offense. Guns are "force projection tools", which allow the user to project their force outward to a distance, providing a space between themselves and the enemy, if needed. The Minutemen are working in dangerous areas, performing a dangerous job, a job that the assigned government employee, would in the normal course of his or her duties, be armed with such weapons, for self-defense and to carry out their duties. The Minutemen are constantly facing people opposed to law enforcement, such persons may also carry guns, regardless of the laws of our society. The Minutemen and Minutewomen are risking their lives and well being for our safety. [Repeat} The Minutemen and Minutewomen, are operating under the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, they will use whatever laws (local, city, county, state and federal) that are applicable and necessary, to guide them in the enforcement of the laws. Where laws conflict, they consult with higher authority or if time is critical, they will use their best judgement, at the moment. Wouldn't you prefer that a paid and trained government employee would do the job the Minutemen have taken upon themselves to do? So would they. They don't want to be out there taking such risks and making such decisions, but, let's face the reality of the times we live in and the past 50 years of government failure to act properly, in the performance of their elected offices. Our government should be fired, and sent to the unemployment lines. Our government officials have not performed their jobs. All of the political ping pong has not brought our nation to the high point it should be, but more like it has dragged us down.
Now we are all being made to face the issues, we had entrusted our governments to do. We, us, you and I, are actually talking and communicating about these long standing problems faced by our society. We are taking action, We are attending protest rallies and forums, to express our anger and dissatisfaction, and to communicate our feelings and thoughts. And this is good, because by you, and I participating in the process, then we can all achieve, what we want, and that is a better way of life for our next generations, by providing a strong nation, of united states, under the Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights.
NOTE: Anonymous, authorizes this message to be posted in the forums. Only Jim Gilchrist knows his true identity.
Signed
Anonymous
Border Raven
e-mail:: BorderRaven@aol.com
Bob Filner does not support anarchist or sociolist groups. He has fought for civil lberties and human rights all his life , that't why human rights is an issue for him. As far as the Human Rights Coalition i checked out their website and it all makes sense. You guys are f'in stupid. You will try everything to try to bring down people who are themselves excercising their freedom of speech. That organization;s website there isn't even one bit of evidence that shows that they are anarchists or communists. The organization and Bob Filner simply don't agree with people taking the law into their own hands because that's what it is. What if everyone took the law into their own hands?
Bush is right about one thing. You are vigilantes! Simple as that. You like to copy and paste things so I'll copy and paste something for you. here's something Herrera wrote on the human rights website:
"Welcome to my online office. I thank you for taking time to analyze such issues which are most significant to the advancement of society. Our concern is that these Minuteman-like civilian groups take it upon themselves to enforce the law, with gun in hand. California State laws do not prohibit these groups from carrying guns because it is public property and they are free to establish themselves along the U.S.-Mexican Border. According to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, guns are permissible in holsters, unloaded. They may be only taken out in the event of “immediate threat.” In the event of such a threat they may load their arms. This represents a large problem to me being that the question that begs to be answered is: What qualifies as an immediate threat?” Ultimately, we are concerned about the psychology behind the Minuteman Project. In many statements made by members of this group there has been much racial defamation, defamation and actions which have proven to be motivated by hate, racism, or fear. Sociology, Ethnic Studies, and U.S. History teach us that the majority of the members of this group display what I call a deeper concern for an ever-shifting flocculation in the ethno-cultural composition of America. This is a fear for the changing face of American society—culture, language, and racial dominance. It is because fear is what we, the Human Rights Coalition of California, believe motivates most to develop and perpetuate assertive hostile attitudes within such groups that we must concern ourselves with the actions of the Minutemen and supporters. Fear is an emotion that can transform within the subliminal state of mind and translate into hatred or contempt as a result of insecurity. In this case we speak of such fear/hatred/hostility for undocumented Mexicans/Latinos/Hispanics alike. Many times, specifically with the Minutemen members, they may be unconscious of their translating hatred/fear/hostility. Many times they simply do not understand why they are called racists by open-border and humanitarian advocates. Moreover, the end result is that such groups be it conscious or not, use facades or smokescreens of “national security” and “terrorism,” to cover more intense internal feelings about race or fear. It is not irrational to conclude that when one gives a gun to a man who is in great fear or has extreme hate towards a subject that the formula may equate to fatal consequences. It is not a chance we wish to take, particularly in this organization in which we place value on human worth. The Minutemen praise border ideology due to hyper-nationalism. The result of hyper nationalism is one which subordinates all other nationalities in comparison with that of their own. Sociological perspective maintains that groups (i.e. Minutemen) influence society's behavior when given the resources necessary to communicate its presence. Groups take on characteristics which are independent of its members. In this case we find the attribute of nagation of Latino/Hispanic/Mexican undocumented immigrants. Latino/Hispanic/Mexican specifically, because the border watch efforts are targeted discminantly towards undocumented immigration from the south (Approximately 99%). Thus, it is rational for many Latinos/Hispanics/Mexicans (be it American citizen or not) to unite as an ethnic group against the Minutemen. Non-ethnic Latino/Hispanic/Mexican and ethnic Latino/Hispanic/Mexican people have great ethical concern with the fact of armed civilians taking on a job which historically is left to law enforcement and possible mistreatment of human beings.Many other organizations stress open borders, we do not believe this is a rational solution and it is not the solution. We advocate on behalf of human rights and understand that there are laws that must be respected in order to secure a society free of anarchy, thus compromise is necessary in this situation. We believe that law enforcing must be left to law enforcement but we will protect people against abuse of power.The Minutemen have made inappropriate decisions in their handling of undocumented immigration putting too many lives on the line and getting in the way of law enforcement by setting off detectors and forcing the U.S. Border Patrol to take on extra duties of monitoring the Minutemen, protestors, and undocumented immigrants. Many times something may be legal but when abused, it maybe used as a lighting rod for evil.
Yours in service,
Ed Herrera
President,
Human Rights Coalition of California"
P.S. Get a life, you're an idiot and know nothing and that's ok cuase you are afraid because it is you who are wrong you ignorant racist.
Anonymouslol
AS regards Mr. Herrera's assertion that,
"According to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, guns are permissible in holsters, unloaded. They may be only taken out in the event of “immediate threat.” In the event of such a threat they may load their arms. This represents a large problem to me being that the question that begs to be answered is: What qualifies as an immediate threat?”
Mr. Herrera does not need to worry about the issue of what quaklifies as an immediate threat leading to arms loading. All that crap about holstered and unloaded is just that - crap. One may carry a loaded weapon, holstered or not, so long as it is not concealed. If the person has a conceal carry permit - as is the case with many active and retired law enforcement - they may carry a loaded weapon NOT in plain view. The sheriff was forced to admit that he doesn't know what he's talking about - or that he's trying to make up the rules as he goes - but I guess mr. herrera missed that part.
So, you see, it's not a problem. The weapons are loaded ALL the time.
Somebody;s Mother
An Open Letter to: Mr. Eddie Herrera, President of the Human Rights Coalition of California
From: Donna Tisdale, resident Boulevard, CA
RE: WE DON’T TOLERATE LAWLESS BEHAVIOR OF THUGS, BULLIES, AND GANGSTERS
Dear Mr. Herrera,
It is with deep disappointment that I read your Executive Resolution (Sept. 3, 2005) denouncing the citizen patrols promoted by the Minuteman Project, California Minutemen Project, and Friends of the Border Patrol. You don’t live here and your views seem biased and one-side. My family, friends, neighbors, and I , (black, white, Hispanic and Asian), have been dealing with massive flows of illegal immigrants and drugs through our private backcountry properties since the launch of Operation Gatekeeper in 1994. No where in your diatribe, which seems to glorify and promote flagrant violations of this nation’s immigration laws and our property rights, do you express any concern for the human rights of those of us who live in the impacted border region. The impacts are very real and overwhelming at times.
As a direct result of the extensive and ongoing illegal trafficking of drug and human contraband, often next to our homes, we now have present in our remote neighborhood some very unsavory thugs, bullies and gangsters. Human smuggling is now as lucrative, if not more so, as drug smuggling. The humans are also used as mules to carry the drugs across the border and across our private properties to waiting load vehicles, putting us, and themselves, at risk. Millions are being made. Witnessing or interfering with these illicit and lucrative activities can prove hazardous to one’s health and well being.
Law enforcement agents have informed us that criminals currently active in our area, on both sides of the border, include remnants of the Arrellano-Felix Cartel, the newly powerful Juarez Cartel, the MS 13 Gang and the Mexican Mafia. These are very scary guys. Several of my neighbors have been severely beaten for reporting illegal activities on their private properties. Some have had their lives threatened numerous times and fled the area. We have been threatened and had our watchdog poisoned but continue to stand our ground, only to be labeled anti-immigrant for those of your ilk. Others have been seduced by the illicit money to be made and , like you, could care less about the negative impacts to our once peaceful community. Some are now in prison, including young adults, and tribal members. One was recently arrested in the shooting near my home of a federal agent during a drug bust. The suspect fled through our private road at a high rate of speed. Smugglers are buying up neighborhood properties to ease their criminal activity. We face high-speed wrong-way load vehicles traveling on our byways and highways.
Rural law enforcement is understaffed and under equipped. We are desperate for help. With neighbors often 1/4 to ½ mile apart, we look at these civilian groups as the potential extra eyes and ears of a neighborhood watch. Due to the reality we live every day, the actions of the protestors and people like you, are perceived by some as mimicking and enabling the criminals at work destroying the fabric of our border community. The anarchist and communist groups you appear to have aligned yourself with are as unwelcome here as the heartless criminal element we are resisting.
When illegals show up at our door in need of food, water, shelter, warmth, we provide it. It is the right thing to do. It is the compassionate thing to do. It is the humane thing to do. How often do you do this? We are asking for similar compassion for our need to secure our neighborhoods and our desire to eliminate the thugs, bullies, and gangsters that your actions , and that of others, are enabling. We would hope that you would want the same basic rights for your family, friends, and neighbors. It is the right thing to do.
Donna Tisdale
Dear Ms. Tisdale,
We respect your views and thank you for the warmth that you have shown upon those who come to the United States to earn an honest living. We advocate legal immigration however, we do not advocate partially armed and partially untrained civilians taking the law into their own hands. By this we mean Patroling the U.S. border, partially armed. We are not debating open borders nor closed borders. Our issue is the fact that Minutmen have infultrated human rights organiations (concerned with human rights of undocumented immigrants). Human rights activists have also infultrated the Minutemen and like-minded groups. We must raise the question--is it not possible that true racist individuals or members of the National Alliance can infultrate the "border watch" groups? The answer is yes. It is possible; there is no test for racism. Spokeman for the National Alliance, a national white supremecist organization, encouraged the organization's members to join. He also stated that they would not simply show up and say that they are members of the national Alliance but they intend to infultrate. Much as I may infultrate the Minuteman Project and pretend to agree with what they say but in reality I am staunchly against their direction. It is very much possible for true racists to enter these groups, inconspicuously. Guns in the hands of a racist in a desolate location many times, can result in fatal consequences. That Madam, is a risk we wish not to take for we value the worth of the indivudal's life. Many of the undocumented immigrants come to the United States are not cold blooded criminals nor drug smugglers but good people with hope for a better means of life. Those are the people who we protect and unite for. These men women and children have broken no law of God, but they are persecuted at a sociological level where they are frowned upon and called illegal aliens. Minutemen supporters have told us directly that they have no rights if they are not U.S. citizens but on the contrary, they have human rights given to them by no law of man but inherited through existance.
We, the Human Rights Coalition of California, Ed Herrera,and I, want a secure country from terrorism and crimes against humanity. We care for the safety and well-being of all people. We are not communist or anarchist;we work within our own autonomy for our resepective efforts which cherish fundamental ideals of our American foundation. We are concerned with the hypocrisy of the ideology of Minuteman Project leaders. We must acknowledge that our country is not perfect for we hide by our shadow a past of racism, slavery, and opression. We have made advances as we have integrated. However the hypocrisy now is: Minutemen Project supporters tell undocumented immigrants that they must first go through lengthy and bureucratic prosesses which pilgrim ancestors provided none of to the Native Americans and indigenous tribes of the Americas. They asked no permission and here we are antagonizing human beings as "IILEGAL aliens." We ould hope in a utopia that all people can come together as one human race and be free to migrate without conflict. Even in God's world there are no borders yet we hold them firm and high on earth. Morally, borders are wrong--they define us and distinguish us, making us different rather than creating solidarity as people. We wish that was the world we lived and it is a hope we carry. For now we must abide by the laws of man as we so govern. We cannot take jeopardize the lives of individuals at the border and therefore call for fair legislative action granting more funding to border security so that the the border patrol may enforce the law and not civilians who are patially ill-trained or may have disdain for Latinos (Mexicans specifically) (undocumented and documented). There is a right way and a wrong way to go about gaining the support of congress and we believe active and partially armed civilian patrol with a high probablity of the infultration of actual racists and not simply concerned citizens, is too high a price.
Thank you for your post!
Paul Norton
Public Affairs,
Human Rights Coalition of California
Paul Norton, Public Affairs
e-mail:: HRCC@Representative.com
I am tired of people such as you that feel that all Mexican-Americans come from a cookie cutter that will condone illegal activity and unite in favor of illegal activity.
Sir there is a silent majority of Hispanics, Mexican-Americans, Latinos or whatever you want to call them/us that are against this illegal invasion from any country it just happened to be from the south where some of our families waited and came to the U.S legally. We are the ones that have been here a few generations, work, pay taxes, love this great country and VOTE. Frankly, sir people like you are an embarrassment.
Antonio
