HERMANDAD MEXICANA LATINOAMERICANA DENOUNCES REAL ID ACT

IMMIGRANT ORGANIZATIONS CONVENE PRESS CONFERENCE






February 11, 2005 Contact Person: 323-236-7990 nativolopez@sbcglobal.net

For Immediate Release

HERMANDAD MEXICANA DENOUNCES REAL ID ACT

IMMIGRANT ORGANIZATIONS CONVENE PRESS CONFERENCE

Los Angeles. Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana, the Mexican American Political Association, Centro CSO, Vellanoweth & Gehart Law Office, El Rescate, CARECEN - Los Angeles, and other organizations will convene a press conference and protest on Monday, February 14, 2005 at the Federal Building located at 300 N. Los Angeles, California at 5:00 p.m. to protest the passage of the REAL ID Act (H.R. 418) by the House of Representatives.

"The passage of this xenophobic legislation is a travesty to the nation and all immigrants who contribute their blood, sweat, and tears to building America for all Americans," declared Nativo Lopez, National Director of the Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana.

"The response from our communities must be total and immediate unity," pronounced Frank Rivera of El Rescate.

"Count on CARECEN of Los Angeles in this fight to turn back the most pernicious attack against immigrants over the recent past," joined Angela Sambrano, Executive Director of CARECEN.

"This legislation is a repressive measure, which will only complicate further the lives of all immigrants and make it virtually impossible for legitimate political refugees to obtain protection from political and religious persecution faced in their countries of origin," warned Attorney Carlos Vellanoweth, long- time immigration attorney and advocate.

Carlos Montes of Centro CSO called for "a broad national organizing response by all immigrant organizations and communities, and for unions to assume a national leadership role in responding to this imminent threat."

HML, an advocacy organization for immigrants, was created in 1951 to achieve the development and integration of Latino immigrants that live in the United States. It is dedicated to improving economic and social opportunities of immigrants and their families, and maintains that a better future for children is an inalienable right. For more information, call (714) 541- 0250 or visit the HML website at www.HermandadMexicana.com.




NON-COOPERATION CAMPAIGN BY LATINO COMMUNITY WITH THE LOS ANGELES SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

Los Angeles - The Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) declares it will launch a broad campaign of non-cooperation with the county sheriffs and local police departments throughout Los Angeles County by the Latino community in answer to Sheriff Baca's proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Baca's proposal would authorize LASD personnel to perform immigration enforcement functions within the Los Angeles County jail system, in effect function as immigration officials for the purpose of ascertaining immigration status of detainees and facilitate their deportation. Under such a plan all detainees would be interrogated and not advised of their constitutional rights or be provided legal counsel prior to such interrogation.

"Our answer to Sheriff Baca is that this is not Alabama and he will not impose Alabama solutions on our community to address local crime challenges. We will launch a broad intensive campaign in the Latino community to not cooperate with the local police under any circumstances - to report crime, come forward as witnesses, provide information, attend police-community events - if this proposed MOU is approved by the L.A. County Supervisors. Additionally, we will actively oppose any tax increase, as proposed by Sheriff Baca, for the purpose of hiring more officers," declared Nativo Lopez, National President of MAPA.

"Public order in any community can only be preserved when the total community cooperates with the police. And, this most especially refers to the immigrant community. The days of Sheriff Peter Pitchess and the cowboy rough-riding over the Mexican and immigrant communities in Los Angeles are long gone, and Sheriff Baca will not bring them back. Public order and the hiring of more officers can only prevail with our cooperation. When our community refuses to cooperate with the police, neither objective can be attained," concluded Lopez.

MAPA, a multi-partisan advocacy organization, was founded in Fresno, California in 1963 and has chapters throughout California. It is dedicated to the constitutional and democratic principles of political freedom and representation for the Mexican, Mexican American and Latino people in the U.S. For more information, call (323) 269-1575 or visit the MAPA website at www.mapa.org.




CAMPAIGN OF DARK MONDAYS GROWS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA

The campaign of DARK MONDAYS to not purchase any gasoline in support and solidarity with all immigrants and their right to obtain a driver's license and legal status (visa) - continues with greater support then ever. Please continue to observe DARK MONDAYS and only make your gasoline purchases on other days of the week. Our next eNewsletter will provide you additional information about this campaign.




JOIN MAPA TODAY

Join us in this prolonged campaign for driver's licenses and visas for our families. The first step in making change is to join an organization that pursues the change we desire. We welcome you to our ranks.

Other organizations leading this movement include: Centro Azteca de Informacion, California Coalition for Immigrant's Rights and Against Raids, Centro CSO, Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana, MAPA Youth Leadership, and the Council of Mexican Federations.

CONTACT:

Nativo V. Lopez, National President of MAPA (323) 269-1575

Miguel Araujo, General Cordinator, Centro Azteca (650) 921-0293