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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: immigration

OC May Day Coalition to protest at Monday’s Santa Ana Council meeting

Posted on by Posted in Civil Rights, Democratic Party, Entertainment, immigration, Latinos, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 3 Comments

The O.C. May Day Coalition is going to rally and protest again on Monday, May 2, at  5pm, at the next Santa Ana City Council meeting, after marching today in Santa Ana.  The meeting will be held at 60 Civic Center Plaza, at the  “Police Community Room.”

The rally will be primarily about stopping the SAPD DUI checkpoints, which rarely ever result in arrests of drunk drivers.  Instead the SAPD use the checkpoints to take cars away from immigrants.

Mike Gonzalez, a district director for League of United Latin American Citizens immigrant councils, brought a dummy — intended to represent President Barack Obama — to the march at the Plaza of the Flags at 700 W. Civic Center, according to the O.C. Register.  Gonzalez has also indicated that he is considering running against Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez next year, according to one of my sources.

Here is the statement that the OC May Day Coalition posted on Facebook:

“May Day March in Santa Ana! OC May Day Coalition * Sanctuary City and Solidarity Statement 2011. We stand together under the same sun to proclaim, “Another world without borders is possible.” We stand in solidarity with workers around the globe to celebrate the international Labor Day on May 1st, 2011, the anniversary of workers’ struggles in the Chicago of 1886. Much like the workers who struck for an 8-hour work day, we are a coalition of people from many industries, cultures and nationalities.

We demand full legalization for all global workers in the U.S. Accordingly, we want an end to all policies that criminalize migration. Specifically, the City of Santa Ana notoriously targets unlicensed drivers. Safe drivers denied the possibility of applying for licenses are routinely stripped of their vehicles at traffic stops. We want to see the leadership in Santa Ana end these practices and declare itself a Sanctuary City.

We demand the restoration of families split up by immigration sweeps. We demand an end to the criminalization of people looking for work. Specifically, the Cities of Orange and Costa Mesa have passed anti-day laborer ordinances (9.37 and 10-354, respectively) with the intent of targeting and denying people of color, often times migrants, access to the economy.

We stand in solidarity with the people of Arizona in resistance against recent racist policies, such as SB1070 and the elimination of Ethnic Studies.

We oppose all racist, sexist, xenophobic, homophobic, and Islamophobic attacks against our community. We are especially concerned about recent attacks this year against Muslims in Yorba Linda and Villa Park.

We want legalization of all students. We demand passage of the DREAM Act for all students to be able to graduate and find gainful employment.

We want strong, democratic, participatory labor unions. We stand in solidarity with workers defending their rights to collective bargaining in Wisconsin and throughout the country.

We stand in solidarity with municipal workers in Costa Mesa recently faced with severe cut-backs.

We want to bring the troops home. We want to end the wars of aggression and occupations in order to fully fund our own education and infrastructure.

We want green, environmentally sound jobs that pay living wages. We support the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ campaign for fair food in Trader Joe’s. We join in their demand 1 penny more for pound for tomato pickers and an end to slavery in the fields.

Explore the immigrant experience at the Great Park on May 5

Posted on by Posted in Culture, Entertainment, immigration, irvine, Latinos, mexico, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Vietnamese Leave a comment

Photo courtesy of California La Raza Lawyers Association, accessed 26 April 2011.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 29, 2011
CONTACT: JENN STARNES: 949-724-6574

Exploring the Immigrant Experience in Orange County
Great Park Seminars Connect Orange County’s Past to Today

IRVINE– Orange County’s diverse population could be taken for granted, if you don’t know the past of struggle and conflict that brought us to a present where more than 40% of county residents speak a language other than English in their homes. Stories of segregation and integration that formed today’s Orange County will be presented during the free Great Park Festival of Time History Seminars, including the landmark case that ended Mexican segregation in Orange County schools and the Vietnamese immigrant experience.

This Thursday, May 5th, the seminar series begins with Understanding the Mendez v. Westminster Court Case: A School Desegregation Milestone. Before Brown v. Board of Education, there was a case here in Orange County that challenged the practice of placing Mexican American students in all-Mexican schools. The Mendez family tried to enroll their child in a “white” school, were denied, and joined other Mexican families in a class action lawsuit against four Orange County school districts. Brook Thomas, Chancellor’s Professor of English at the University of California, Irvine, will place this groundbreaking court case into the historical context of other landmark national cases, including Brown v. Board of Education.

The following Thursday, May 12th, the Vietnamese Immigrant Experience seminar will explore what refugees encountered relocating to Orange County and how they adjusted as immigrants. The largest number of Vietnamese people found outside of Vietnam is found in Orange County, and this seminar will shed light on how the end of the Vietnam War affected local populations. Through a mix of film clips and narrative, Linda Vo, Associate Professor of Asian American Studies at UCI, and Ysa Le, Director of the Vietnamese Arts & Letters Association and the Vietnamese International Film Festival, will talk about the challenges refugees experienced and how they adjusted as immigrants.

The history seminars will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will take place at the Great Park Corporation offices, off of Sand Canyon on Trabuco Rd. in Irvine. The seminars are presented as part of the Great Park Festival of time, which serves to reflect on the history of Orange County in the context of national events. The main event of the Festival of Time is a daylong festival at the Great Park on Saturday, May 14th. The day begins at 4:00 p.m. with a “Museum Without Walls,” including vintage vehicles, military aircraft and historic safety vehicles. The outdoor museum will also include a flight simulator and musical entertainment from the 1940s. The cultural diversity and history theme of the seminars are reflected in the day’s culminating event — a screening of the 1958 movie musical South Pacific at 7:30 p.m. outdoors under the stars.

Events and parking are free. For more information, please visit www.ocgp.org.

###

The Orange County Dream Team’s Dream-a-Thon is on April 29

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Charities, Education, Entertainment, Fullerton, immigration, Latinos, mexico, Politics, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Support the Orange County Dream Team at their Dream-a-Thon 2011:

Time: Friday, April 29 · 9:00am – 2:00pm
Location: California State University, Fullerton
800 N. State College Blvd.
Fullerton, CA

Register online at: http://dreamathon.webs.com/

What is it?!

The DREAM-A-THON is the first walk-a-thon event in support of AB540 students. ALL registration money/donations collected will go to event expenses (ex. give-a-ways, food, t-shirts, entertainment, etc.) and the CSUF AB540 Book Scholarship.

But wait…who are AB540 students?!

Undocumented students who are allowed to pay in-state tuition fees at higher education institutions, but do not qualify for financial aid. These students struggle paying for and receiving a college degree due to a lack of monetary funds. Without a social security number, many are unable to find a quality job to pay for college, let alone acquire one post-grad.

For more information: http://istillhaveadream.org/

How does the DREAM-A-THON work?!

The event is a walk-a-thon, with a twist. This walk is not based on the amount of laps committed by the walker or the distance they walk, it is simply based on the presence of each individual at the event and their dedication/support to help AB540 students receive a quality education.

All registered participants will receive pledge forms to distribute to family/friends for flat-rate donations in support of the walker and this cause. For every $10 donated, an additional ticket for opportunity drawings will be provided for the participant.

So, when, where, and how much is it?!

Date: Friday, April 29, 2011
Time: Registration-9am; Walk-10am-2pm
Location: CSUF Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) Lawn, in front of the Student Health Center
Pre-Registration: $10 (including a t-shirt)

How do I register?!

http://dreamathon.webs.com/ under “Event Registration” tab!

Please, spread the word to your friends and family, this event is open to everyone interested in making a difference in the lives of CSUF AB540 students!

And be sure to attend the Orange County Dream Team’s Spring Pachanga:

Time: Saturday, May 7 · 8:00pm – 11:30pm
Location: Anaheim California

Come join OCDT and all the DREAMERS in the OC for a Spring Panchaga fundraiser.

$5 Donation (Entrance: 1 drink + a snack)

Help the Orange County DREAM Team raise money for Scholarships.
There will be music, dringks and beautiful energy from our OC community!!!!!

Contact: Jesus for address and directions @ 714-267-8234

P.S. THIS IS IS A FUNDRAISER DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED.

Santa Ana Film Fest tonight, featuring Simon Sedillo

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, immigration, Latinos, mexico, Native Americans, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Film Fest

With guest speaker: Simon Sedillo
Special Performances by: Son Real (San Bernandino)…Colectivo De Musicos Difuntos (Santa Ana)

Free! Donations Accepted.

Simón Sedillo is a community rights defense or ganizer and film maker. He has spent the last 8 years documenting, producing and teaching community based video documentation in Mexico and the US. Through lectures, workshops, and short films, Sedillo breaks down the effects of neoliberalism, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and militarism on indigenous communities, immigrant communities, and communities of color in the US and Mexico.

Featured Films:

Mano Vuelta Films: *NEW RELEASE*”El Jardin Kojima”

Set in Otatitlan, Veracruz, Mexico “El Jardin Kojima” (Kojima Garden) gives us a look at how traditional Son Jarocho music is used as a tool for community organizing and conscience building. Son Jarocho music is primarily found and rooted in afro-indigenous communities in the state of Veracruz. Today, this community-based art form is played and enjoyed all over the world. At its core, Son Jarocho music strengthens pride in community identity and also inspires different kinds of organizing. “El Jardin Kojima” is just one example of how Son Jarocho music and traditions are keeping communities strong in a time of limited opportunities.

Jornaleros En Lucha:
Documentary about Anti-Jornalero Ordinances in the cities of Costa Mesa and Orange, Police Abuse, the constant harrassment and surveilance of Jornaleros, and their organization to combat these attacks.

Naui Huitzilopochtli:
Indigenous Rights Activist Exposes Hate Groups in Orange County.

+ More!

Son Jarocho, Hip Hop, Poetry.

Click here to RSVP on Facebook.

Mexica Movement: Arizona Campaign Fundraiser and teach-in, on April 2

Posted on by Posted in Entertainment, immigration, Latinos, mexico, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Join us for a night of education on the issues affecting our people in Arizona. Learn of the recent attacks on our people in Arizona with racist laws like SB 1070. This night will be dedicated to fundraise for our ongoing activities in Arizona.

Time: Saturday, April 2 · 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Location: Centro Cultural De Mexico 310 W 5th Street Santa Ana, CA 92701

$5 entrance

We will have posters, t-shirts and other items for sale.

All funds will be used for our ongoing activities in Arizona.

The event will include:

* A brief introduction to the racist laws in Arizona
* How white supremacy is being legalized
* Mexica Movement Videos in Arizona
* Poetry
* Naui videos on Arizona

Click here to RSVP on Facebook.

DPOC condemns Villa Park Councilwoman Pauly’s anti-Muslim comments

Posted on by Posted in Arab Americans, Democratic Party, immigration, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Statement Condemning Comments Made by Villa Park Councilwoman Deborah Pauly

The Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC) strongly condemns the venomous words and threats spoken on 2/13/11 by Villa Park Councilwoman Deborah Pauly, at a rally protesting an ICNA relief event in Yorba Linda. Ms. Pauly also serves as the First Vice President of the Orange County Republican Party.

Councilwoman Pauly characterized the event and those who attended (some with small children) as “sheer, unadulterated evil.” She further threatened the attendees by stating that her US Marine Corps son and other Marines would be willing to “help those terrorists to an early meeting in Paradise.”

The foundation of our democracy lies in the people’s freedom of speech and certainly Ms. Pauly’s reprehensible remarks are included in those rights.

However, the Constitution also provides the right of people to peacefully assemble without threat or intimidation by the government. The Constitution also provides the right of people to exercise their religion without interference by the government by threat or intimidation.

Ms. Pauly was allowed to speak at the rally only because of her official position as an elected councilwoman and as an officer of the Republican Party. So her comments were more than rhetoric by a mere person who chose to inflame and to incite.

As an elected official, Councilwoman Deborah Pauley acted under the color of State law to threaten and intimidate citizens who have constitutional rights, privileges and immunities of assembly and religion. Her actions constitute a misuse of authority and maybe a violation of both federal and state law.

The Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC) calls upon Councilwoman Pauly to apologize and to retract her threats and for the Orange County Republican Party to publicly state that it does not support anyone who makes such threats.

Please note that the Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC) is preparing a complaint to be filed with the Federal Bureau of Investigations regarding Councilwoman Pauly’s violation of the attendees constitutional rights under the color of law/authority.

——————————————————————————————————————–
About Democratic Party of Orange County

Representing over 517, 000 registered Democrats, the Democratic Party is the fastest growing political party in Orange County. We have a proud history of representing and protecting the interests of all Americans.

We believe in:

A healthy economy that creates jobs and promotes a shared success between employers and employees.
A strong, respected America that protects our security when it is threatened, but also emphasizes diplomacy and Democratic values; the foundations of a more peaceful and prosperous world.
Fundamental rights for all Americans, such as: quality healthcare, a world-class education and a clean environment.
Being progressive and adaptive to the challenges of a changing environment, economy and society.

When and Where We Meet:

The Democratic Party of Orange County meets twice a month:
Second Monday of each month: Executive Committee Meeting is held at the DPOC Office, 201 N. Main Street, Mezzanine Level, Santa Ana at 7 pm.
Fourth Monday of each month: Central Committee Meeting is held at the Carpenter’s Union Hall, 1916 N. Chapman Avenue, Orange at 7 pm.

How to Reach Us:

DPOC: gerrieschipske@ocdemocrats.org
Web: www.ocdemocrats.org
Phone: 714 835-5158
Fax: 714 835-3685

The SAPD is conducting a DUI checkpoint on March 26, on 5th St.

Posted on by Posted in immigration, Latinos, Public Safety, Santa Ana 5 Comments

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, March 26th, 2011. It will begin at 7:30PM and is scheduled to conclude at 1:00AM. It will be conducted in the area of 3500 W 5th Street, according to the SAPD Citizen Observer website.

My own research indicates that these checkpoints actually do little to stop DUIs.  In reality the SAPD uses these checkpoints to seize cars from undocumented immigrants – then they force them to pay hundreds of dollars to get their cars back.

I also found that the DUI checkpoints are never conducted in north and south Santa Ana – only in the Latino middle.

The DUI checkpoints are paid for by state grants.  Local cops love them because they make a fortune working overtime.

Here is how the SAPD explains the reason they do the DUI checkpoints.

In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes, DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI/Drivers License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. A major component of these checkpoints is to increase awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and to encourage sober designated drivers.

A DUI checkpoint is a proven effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Santa Ana Police Department believes motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving.

Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver. Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Rep. Sanchez introduces the Genius Act

Posted on by Posted in Education, immigration, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 47th Congressional District

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2011

MEDIA CONTACT, Adrienne Watson 202-309-0825

REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ INTRODUCES THE GENIUS ACT

Bill would raise student achievement through enhanced international education initiatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today introduced fundamental legislation to expand international education and foreign language programs in schools. The Global Education Nexus in U.S. (GENIUS) Act, H.R. 1109, would require the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Foreign Language Education to establish a new grant program promoting international education in elementary and secondary schools by funding both teacher professional development focused on international education, and extracurricular programs that promote international education.

Data published over the last decade finds that American-based multinational corporations, as well as small businesses, increasingly need employees with knowledge of foreign languages and cultures to market product to domestic and international consumers, as well as to work effectively with the foreign employees and partners in other counties. The GENIUS Act would provide grants to support international education and foreign language focused professional development for teachers. In addition, this legislation would provide grants for extracurricular programs focused on international education and foreign language to continue students’ engagement on these issues outside of the classroom as well.

“Providing quality jobs for hard working Americans is our nation’s top priority. In order to accomplish that, we must guarantee that education – even at its earliest stages – gives students the skill sets they need to succeed in a increasingly global economy,” said Sanchez. “The importance of international and foreign language education for our nation’s future cannot be overstated. We’re only as good as our human capital, and without immediate action, our students will fall behind their foreign counterparts. I urge Congress to pass this legislation and ensure our strong footing as the future’s global economic leader.”

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is proud to represent California’s 47th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and parts of Fullerton in Orange County. She serves as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security. Rep. Sanchez is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee.

# # #

United States House of Representatives
1114 Longworth House Office Building • Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2965 • Fax: 202-225-5859

Video by Santa Ana’s George Collins captures anti-Muslim Republicans in action

Posted on by Posted in Arab Americans, Churches and Religion, Civil Rights, Hate, immigration, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party 9 Comments

When George Collins, a past candidate for Santa Ana Mayor, showed up at a Republican Party of Orange County event in Yorba Linda, his aim was to film the comments made by the speakers, and then put them up on his YouTube page.  He surely had no idea what was going to happen after he put up the video, which shows Villa Park Council Member Deborah Pauly making very harsh statements about Orange County’s Muslim community.

What set Pauly off was the actions of the Muslim Student Union at the University of California at Irvine (UCI).  Eleven Muslim students were arrested during Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren’s speech on campus in February. Those 11 students stood up one at a time and yelled during Oren’s presentation and were subsequently detained, according to the O.C. Register.

Here is a video of the Muslim students’ protest:

Who is this guy Michael Oren?

Here are excerpts from his bio.:

Michael B. Oren is the State of Israel’s Ambassador to the United States.

A graduate of Princeton and Columbia, Dr. Oren has received fellowships from the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, and from the British and Canadian governments. Formerly, he was the Lady Davis Fellow of Hebrew University, a Moshe Dayan Fellow at Tel-Aviv University, and the Distinguished Fellow at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem. He has been a visiting professor at Harvard, Yale, and Georgetown.

Ambassador Oren has written extensively for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The New Republic, where he was a contributing editor. His two most recent books, Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East and Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East, 1776 to the Present, were both New York Times bestsellers. They won the Los Angeles Times’ History Book of the Year prize, a National Council of the Humanities Award, and the National Jewish Book Award.

Raised in New Jersey, where he was an activist in Zionist youth movements and a gold medal winning athlete in the Maccabia Games, Ambassador Oren moved to Israel in the 1970s. He served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces, in the paratroopers in the Lebanon War, a liaison with the U.S. Sixth Fleet during the Gulf War, and an IDF spokesman during the Second Lebanon War and the Gaza operation in January 2009. He acted as an Israeli Emissary to Jewish refuseniks in the Soviet Union, as an advisor to Israel’s delegation to the United Nations, and as the government’s director of Inter-Religious Affairs. He has testified before Congress and briefed the White House on Middle Eastern affairs.

Interesting.  This guy Oren is no common diplomat.  He has a lot of Arab blood on his hands.  Now you could argue how that came to be, but the fact is I can understand why Muslim students might not be happy to welcome this man to their campus.

These Muslim students aren’t monsters, I don’t think.  They are brave individuals who risked everything for what they thought waas right.

But Pauly thinks they are “unwelcome invaders.”  Click here to see the video of her disturbing comments.  I would normally embed the video here, but Collins disabled that feature on his YouTube page.  He was upset because a Muslim organization used excerpts of his video in their own YouTube video, which was taken down when Collins claimed he had a copyright to the original video.

Collins, like Pauly, is a Republican.  She is also a member of the OC GOP’s Executive Committee.

Immigration forum this Saturday, at St. Joachim Church in Costa Mesa

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Churches and Religion, Civil Rights, Costa Mesa, Entertainment, immigration, Latinos, Orange County, Politics Leave a comment

St. Joachim Immigration Forum!

Date: Saturday, March 5th, 2011

Time: 10 am – 2 pm

Location: Nevin Hall at St. Joachim Church1964 Orange Ave, Costa Mesa, CA, 92627

This event will provide resources for immigrants to learn about their rights, the immigration process, and help with the integration into American society.

The event will include:

  • Free immigration consultations with immigration lawyer, so bring all the paperwork you have for immigration consultations
  • We will give priority to those that arrive first for the consultations- Presentations on “Know your rights” information about immigration process
  • Resources on registering to vote and becoming a citizen- Information on English classes and much more!
  • The event will be conducted in Spanish and translated via headphones to English

Please contact Andrew Hausermann to get involved or ask questions.  Andrew Hausermann, Community Organizer, OCCCO-PICO, at andrew@occcopico.org, M 714.931.6041, www.occcopico.org.

L.A. to O.C. Dream Ride today, Feb. 20

Posted on by Posted in Entertainment, immigration, Latinos, Orange County, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 1 Comment

Join us in a 50 mile bike ride to continue raising awareness for Federal Dream Act, California Dream Act (institutional financial aid) and getting drivers licences for all California residents, as well as bringing attention to the rights of all bicyclist in the city of L.A and Orange County. Spokes & Words, The Orange County Dream Team and Dream Team Los Angeles are working together with City of Lights and the Bici Digna program in organizing and funding this event to bring together all these great orgs that fight for social justice for for all.

When: Sunday Feb. 20 (presidents day weekend), from 9 a.m to 11 a.m.

Where: Starting at Corazon del Pueblo 2003 E. 1st. street Boyle Heights 90033 and ending at Centro Cultural de Mexico 310 W. 5th street Santa Ana 92701.

Registration: Registration form and $15 fee (link at bottom of page) will be due on Jan. 28. This will include lunch, dinner, bike maintenance during event and over night stay in Orange County. Form can be downloaded via link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13WcyFiBe45oBXLUIAOkvINgfZAzimUHsIxHlPCWnNOM/edit?hl=en

Route: Approx 50 miles via streets of L.A., San Gabriel River Bike Path and streets of Santa Ana.

Housing: Sleeping over at Centro Cultural de Mexico. Individuals are responsible for bringing their own sleeping bag, pillows, blankets, toiletries, change of clothes etc. and transportation back to L.A. A truck will carry participant’s belongings, sleeping bags etc. to Santa Ana and back to CDP after ride is over.

Food: Lunch, dinner and snacks will be provided for all participants accounted for, for the event.

Bike Safety Work Shops: All participants of event will be required to attend at least one workshop on safety, rules of the road and ridding in a group. No exceptions. First workshop will be at CDP on Jan 23rd. Second will be at Centro Cultural in Santa Ana on Jan 30th and the final workshop will be at CDP on Feb. 5th Riders needing help with their bikes will be encouraged to bring them to the workshop for maintenance and bike tune up. Workshops will be coordinated by City of Lights.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for anyone that wants to donate food, supplies or sponsor riders for the event as well.

Anyone with questions about the event can contact dream.act.riders@gmail.com for more information or concerns.  Click here to RSVP on Facebook.

Event Sponsors:

  • Spokes & Words
  • City of Lights
  • Orange County Dream Team
  • Dream Team Los Angeles
  • Corazon del Pueblo
  • El Centro Cultural de Mexico

Link to pay pal account here: http://justarandomhero.blogspot.com/2011/01/la-to-oc-dream-ride.html

Naui vs. KABC’s Larry Elder, on immigration

Posted on by Posted in Civil Rights, immigration, Latinos, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana 8 Comments

Santa Ana resident Nauit Tetl interviewed Larry Elder, the Republican radio host who appears on KABC, when Joe Arpaio visited the Nixon Library last week.  Above you can see the results.

Tetl kept asking Elder why Arapio, who is the Sheriff of Arizona’s Maricopa County, doesn’t target those who employ “illegals.”  Watch Elder spit out the usual GOP talking points.  And to think this guy used to be a Libertarian!

Santa Ana’s ESL Toastmaster Club meeting on Sunday, Feb. 13

Posted on by Posted in Education, Entertainment, immigration, Latinos, Literature, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ESL TOASTMASTER CLUB NO. 1 #1565170 – Chartered 10-29-2010

Sunday, Feb. 13, 2010, 3-5 P.M.
Libreria Martinez Books and Art Store
216 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Agenda – Theme- My Best Friend

  • 2:00-3:00 p.m. Arrival, Set-up, Sign-in, Mentor/Mentee Meet; Photo, Recordings, Snacks, Name Tags (Reception Table,etc, Joy Torres, Tina Shin, LeslieVu, Linda Kulp)
  • 3:00 p.m. Call to Order V.P. Education, ESL Club, Dr.Patricia Adelekan, DTM
  • Words of Inspiration Pastor Bernardo Ramirez, CC
  • Mission Statement of a TM Club Leslie Vu
  • About US – ESL Club No. 1 Steve Buhler
  • Humor Michael Lang
  • Word of the Day Steve Buhler
  • Idioms of the Day George Collins
  • Recognition of Guests/New Members: Dr.Patricia Adelekan, DTM, Linda Jaeckal,ATMB,Cl,Mr. Van Pelt
  • 3:10 p.m. Introduction of Toastmaster Angel Rayogoza
  • 3:10 p.m. Mentor/Mentee Program Jason Brady and Dr. Pat. Adelekan, DTM
  • 3:30 p.m. Introduction of General Evaluator — Linda Jaeckel ATMB, CL — Introduces Evaluation Team
  • Grammarian 1- Jason Brady, Grammarian 2- Dr.Pat (Tenses/Present/Past)
  • Ah Counter, Veronica Knight
  • Tellers, Joy Torres, Michael Yang
  • Timer: Gloria Chen
  • Pronunciation, Susan Uriate, CC,CL
  • 3:35 p.m. Table Topics Master — Toah Pena Bendure (Timing 1-2 mins) Kindness
  • 3:50 p.m. General Evaluator –Call for Timing of Table Topics — Vote for Best Table Topics
  • 4:00 p.m. General Evaluator Introduces Evaluators  Speakers
  • Speaker 1 – Michael Yang (5-7 mins) George Collins, (2-3 mins)
  • Speaker 2 – Olga Vlasova Linda Kulp
  • Speaker 3 – Janet Collins Toah Bendure
  • 4:20p.m. General Evaluator(GE) — Call for Timing and Vote for best Speaker- Linda Jaeckel
  • 4:20p.m. GE Calls for Evaluations (2-3 mins)
  • 4:30p.m. GE Call for Time, Vote for Best Evaluator
  • 4:30 p.m. Call for Reports: Ah Counter, Grammarian1, Grammarian2, Pronunciation, 2-3 min
  • 4:40 p.m. Announce Awards — General Evaluator, Toastmaster, President
  • 4:45 p.m. Recruit New Members- V.P. Membership
  • 4:45p.m. MariCarmen Ceballos, Asst. Manager, Libreria Martinez, About the Bookstore and Tour
  • 4:50 p.m. President, Announce. Next Meeting, Sign-up for Roles, Next meeting, Feb.24,
  • 4:55 p.m. Adjourn — Thank you for coming. Let’s Make a Difference!!!, Photo and Refreshments

Let us begin our shopping today — here at Libreria Martinez Books and Art Store — English Idioms, and other books
Thank you Mr. Rueben Martinez– Please join our ESL Toastmaster Club – as an Honorary Member/ Mentor
Buy Today — CD From Panic To Power by 3 World Champions of Public Speaking & Guest: Dr. Patricia Adelekan

Naui vs. Joe Arpaio, at the Nixon Library – the video!

Posted on by Posted in Civil Rights, immigration, Latinos, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana 16 Comments

Mexican-bashing Joe Arpaio, the Sheriff in Arizona’s Maricopa County, probably thought he was in for a mellow evening tonight, at the Nixon Library.  But Santa Ana resident Naui Tetl, showed up with his trusty video camera.  The result is an instant classic, as Naui reminds Arpaio that he is an “Italian Anchor Baby!”

Arpaio was there to speak at an event put on by some commentator named Phil Liberatore.  Click here to read about the event.

Arpaio was accompanied by failed O.C. Sheriff candidate Bill Hunt, who has apparently grown a “porn-stache.”  Hunt was blown out of the water last year, by O.C. Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, after he resorted to racism in his sad campaign – and after he brought Arpaio to the O.C. to campaign for him.  Mission not accomplished!  Hunt now appears to be a rent-a-cop.  Sad.

HOPE Coalition announces new scholarship for AB 540 students and immigrants

Posted on by Posted in Education, immigration, Latinos, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities 2 Comments

The HOPE Coalition of Orange County announces a new Scholarship.  Click here to download the application, which is due by March 15.

Rules:

1. Must be an Orange County Resident
2. Applicant must be a:
• AB540 student, Immigrant student, Graduate student
3. Front page should be most recent Personal Resume ( include 2 references)
4. Be enrolled in:
• Adult Education Center, Community College, or University
• Copy of Unofficial Transcripts
5. Applicant must volunteer at least 10 hours of community service at any institution, non- profit, church, shelter, clinic, etc that offers any type of services to help our Orange County underrepresented community; (please note that applicant cannot choose any entity in which they have been or are already a part of at the moment).

Please include a flyer(s) or pamphlet(s) from volunteering place

• Write a two page essay with the following information:
• What social issue is important to you and why
• Why is it important to help out in your community
• If you could have five minutes with President Barrack Obama what would
you tell him
• History of place where you volunteered at, who you worked with, duties (if
any), what is the population they mainly serve, and what did you learn

For more information:

Minerva S.G Stone: 714-376-8065
Please mail to: P.O BOX 1810, Santa Ana, CA. 92702
Address to: Zeke Hernandez and HOPE Coalition of OC

The HOPE Coalition presented “Generations of outpouring Hopelessness and lost DREAMS: Finding a Solution,” on January 28, 2011 at 6:00pm at Betsy Ross Elementary.

The Mission

Our goal as HOPE Coalition of OC is to address different issues that our underrepresented communities face in Orange County.

The Vision

This Coalition/ network is a grassroots movement that has developed through our growing needs in O.C. We are hoping to form a bond that will be everlasting amongst all organizations that worked here in Orange County in various issues with the intent to improve our lives as human beings. We are hoping to become unbreakable by any means from any entity that is against the well being of the beautiful communities we call home.

This Coalition will encompasses any existing or future organization who is willing to help in Any Civil rights issues; whether its helping in higher education, labor rights, criminal justice, civil rights , religious rights, sexual orientation, resources, financial and any minority and immigration issues. We need every Organization who is willing to “think outside the box” to together envision new strategies that will be impactful not only locally but Nationwide. We believe it is our responsibility to prevent the continuing intolerance for under-represented communities and to continue to self-empower Orange County communities to step up for America and show leadership that civil rights advocates will follow.

Purpose for Event:

To find a solution four our DREAMERS today.

1. Dr. Gonzales presented his research that supports how it has become a multi-generational issue,

2. Addressed the hopelessness in a failed DREAM;

· Tearing Families Apart: Where is our children’s future

· The hope of a better future through higher education

· Hopelessness: Not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel

3. Finding a way as OC Organizations and Community leaders to make a difference.

A DREAM COME TRUE THANKS TO:

We want to thank everyone who was part of this event but in particular the following organizations who sponsored and or supported keeping the DREAM alive for thousands of OC Communities:

Orange County Community Housing Corporation,

Los Amigos of Orange County,

League of United Latin American Citizens #147,

Orange County DREAM Team,

Various leaders and community members from OC

THANK YOU !!

January 28, 2011 Event Evaluation

All in all our event went wonderful! The school was beautiful, the location was perfect, the school staff was tremendously helpful. We had an attendance of 77 OC members from various areas.

We want to give Special thanks:

Event location:

Jose Moreno PhD

Event Setup and clean up:

School staff and Mr. Manny

Diana M., Benjamin S., Roberto G., Rosa L., Alejandro G., Allen B., Jamie K. Zeke H.,

Event Speakers:

Roberto Gonzalez, PhD Associate Professor at University of Washington

Juan Barba, Immigration Attorney,

Ivan R, high school student,

Jamie K, College Student

Adrian , University Student

Antonia R., College Graduate from UCI, HOPE organizer, and community Leader

Herminia R., Masters in Mathematics from CUSF, Classroom Teacher, and community Leader,

Photographer

Rosa Lopez, Professional Photogropher and community organizer

Moving forward

Many of our leaders and organizations want to be able to work together although there are various issues we all need to address most are willing to meet in common ground to be able to work together. We hope that most of us understand that a fragmented and divided grassroots movement will only have minimal achievements. Our capacities as individual entities may not be vast, but together we can have even greater achievements .

Any questions please call or email me:

Minerva S.G. Stone

714-376-8065

gomez_minerva@yahoo.com

Community Organizer