SwiftVets.com

[Guest]

WHAT IS MEChA





The official national symbol of MEChA is an eagle holding a machete-like weapon and a stick of dynamite.

The acronym MEChA stands for "Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan." or "Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan."



MEChA is an Hispanic separatist organization that encourages anti-American activities and civil disobedience. The radical members of MEChA who refer to themselves as "Mechistas," romanticize Mexican claims to the "lost Territories" of the Southwestern United States -- a Chicano country called Aztlan. In its national constitution, MEChA calls for self-determination by its members to liberate Aztlan. MEChA's national constitution starts out: "Chicano and Chicana students of Aztlán must take upon themselves the responsibilities to promote Chicanismo within the community, politicizing our Raza with an emphasis on indigenous consciousness to continue the struggle for the self-determination of the Chicano people for the purpose of liberating Aztlán."



These anti-American "Mechistas" live with the false illusion that they are being racially discriminated against because they are Latinos while totally dismissing the idea that maybe it is their ideology that is being discriminated against.



At the MEChA National Conference on March 15 - 18, 2001, the official "MEChA Philosophy" was ratified. An excerpt from the document states: "as Mechistas, we vow to work for the liberation of Aztlan."



The MEChA Clubs on each of the Santa Barbara high school campuses are not the only ones. MEChA groups exist on 90 percent of the public high school, college and university campuses in the Southwestern United States.

WHAT IS MEChA



The myth of Aztlan can best be explained by California's Santa Barbara School District's Chicano Studies textbook, "The Mexican American Heritage" by East Los Angeles high school teacher Carlos Jimenez. On page 84 there is a redrawn map of Mexico and the United States, showing Mexico with a full one-third more territory, all of it taken back from the United States. On page 107, it says "Latinos are now realizing that the power to control Aztlan may once again be in their hands."



Shown are the "repatriated" eight or nine states including Colorado, California, Arizona, Texas, Utah, New Mexico, Oregon and parts of Washington. According to the school text, Mexico is supposed to regain these territories as they rightly belong to the "mythical" homeland of Aztlan. On page 86, it says "...a free-trade agreement...promises...if Mexico is to allow the U.S. to invest in Mexico...then Mexico should...be allowed to freely export...Mexican labor. Obviously this would mean a re-evaluation of the border between the two countries as we know it today." Jimenez's Aztlan myth is further amplified at MEChA club meetings held at Santa Barbara Public Schools..



The book, paid for by American tax payers, cites no references or footnotes, leaving school children totally dependent on their teacher to separate fact from opinion and political propaganda. The book teaches separatism, victimization, nationalism, completely lacks patriotism towards the United States, and promotes an open border policy. The book is 100 percent editorial -- the opinions of the author.

WHAT IS RAZA



"La Raza" (The Race) is a broad term which refers to those whose ancestry is indigenous to the area of Mexico (or "Aztlan"). MEChA members refer to themselves as "La Raza" or "Raza," but the term itself is used to indicate camaraderie among those in different organizations with the same objectives. There are a number of organizations who consider themselves to be La Raza.



The most visible of these groups are MEChA, The Brown Berets de Aztlan, OLA (Organization for the Liberation of Aztlan), La Raza Unida Party, and the "Nation of Aztlan" to name a few. Although the activism of these organizations vary from somewhat radical to extremely radical, they share the same objectives, the "liberation of Aztlan." Each follows the Raza manifesto "El Plan de Aztlan (sometimes called "El Plan Espiritual de Aztlan"). The Nation of Aztlan, tied to La Voz de Aztlan disseminates the exact same propaganda that MEChA spreads including antisemitic propaganda. Believers in the Aztlan legend insist upon the indivisibility of "La Raza" and their common goals, one of them being the need to abolish the border between the U.S. and Mexico. There is a myriad of Raza college newspaper. Some are El Popo, Aztlan News, Chispas, Gente de Aztlan (UCLA), Voz Fronteriza (U.C. San Diego), La Voz Mestiza (U.C. Irvine) and La Voz Berkeley. It is not uncommon for the writers of these publications to refer to the U.S., as "AmeriKKKa."



Rhetoric by some Chicano educators strongly suggest Communist or Socialist leanings. Recently (May, 2000), more than 1,200 students gathered at UCLA for the seventh annual Raza Youth Conference, which the members say promotes higher education and recognition of the Aztlan culture. Sponsored by MEChA, the year's theme was "Reclaiming Our Razas through education, resistance, and promoting the idea of remembering the historical struggles of Raza" said Erika Ramirez, co-chair of the conference. The conference drew students from 80 middle and high schools and community colleges; featured speeches by those actively involved with the Chicano community.



The keynote speaker was Antonia Darder, a professor of education and cultural studies at Claremont Graduate University and director of the Institute for Cultural Studies in Education, who received a standing ovation for her speech.



Darder described American capitalism and what she said were its impacts on racism and sexism. "I grew up in a capitalist society, a society that taught us that the greed of corporations control politics," Darder said. "Capitalism is the root of domination. Racism and sexism exist because capitalism requires it." Darder said a globalized economy forced smaller countries to give up their self-sufficiency, resulting in people migrating to the U.S. "We're here because U.S. foreign policy in Latin America has forced us here," she said.



The University of Oregon Chapter of MEChA hints at its communist sentiments by posting a picture of Cuba's communist dictator Fidel Castro. On its web site, "La Voz de Aztlan" has an excerpt from a speech of February 7, 1997, by Fidel Castro who said "the United States should return to Mexico huge chunks of that country's territories it acquired more than a century ago" La Voz de Aztlan, whom Antonio Villaraigosa refuses to repudiate, also disseminates antisemitic propaganda,



Apparently, these "Raza" cults are composed of people who unabashedly hate the United States and often support other groups and leaders who also hate America. Raza's hatred of America is so intense, that most make bedfellows to anyone else who also hates America, like dictator Fidel Castro; murderer of his own people Sadam Hussain; and the women hating Taliban -- and of course they sympathize with all Islamic Terrorists over the Israel/Palestine issue. Raza cults are the loudest and most insistent element of the immigration lobby in California. Inebriated with a sense of righteous victimhood, and entranced by myths of a heroic racial past, devotees of the Aztlan cults are rapidly extending their influence within California's Hispanic population, particularly among students in the university system.




Mayorno.com

[LewWaters]

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

::: gasp! ::::

You're not supposed to point out the hypocrisies of a "minority" group, ever. That instantly makes you a "hate-monger," no matter how good your reasoning or how dispassionate your argument.


A little story (okay, a wordy story! ) about my own background:

La Raza was getting a foothold when I was in high school and it seemed to be a good thing, back then. I grew up in a predominantly Mexican town and it was good to educate the people about the culture, both Mexicans and non-Mexicans.

Maybe I was just blind - but to me, it didn't seem like we needed this education in order to respect each other. If someone was an a-hole, they were an a-hole, Mexican, white, Asian, black or "other." If they were a good person, they were a good person - it didn't matter to us. We went to school together, had after-school activities - all mixed. Good leaders got leadership positions and were popular, no matter what their race.

What I found years later when I visited this high school was a terrible division of the races.

Gangs and "lethal territories" on campus, no mixing for social activities - the Mexican kids had their own proms and the black kids chose their own homecoming queen. (Sorry, kids, but we chose a black and a Mexican homecoming queen for the whole school way back in the 70's - so much for you youngsters thinking that you've claimed a place in society - all you've claimed is a place among your own clique - which works very hard at keeping you segregated from society!)

And there were school-sanctioned clubs that promoted this division on campus!

I always suspected that it was the very group that started with promoting understanding among cultures as its goal (La Raza) that instigated the changes that resulted in such a stilted and hateful atmosphere at that school.

I've always remembered my childhood friends and their families with love - the Garcia's, Lopez's, Greenwood's (a black family whose father had served with my father in the Army) and the Rice's and deBelle's. (the only white kids in my neighborhood)

Other mothers chastised us, encouraged us, listened to our troubles, bandaged our boo-boo's, fed us, watched us across the busy street, and our mothers did the same for the kids we played with at our house.

If you were a white kid in my grade school, denigrating someone else with a racial epithet was equated to cussing - it was a good way to get your mouth washed out with soap. And then you'd come home and get the same treatment from your mother!

We didn't need any organization to come in and tell us how to treat each other. And it looks to me as if they've fouled it up, royally.

They've taught people who respected each other and got along and worked together how to distrust and hate and segregate, instead. What a sad state of affairs.


_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[Guest]

[shawa]

doll,

Thanks for the education!
I have heard references to La Raza in the last couple of years and
thought it was just a Hispanic rights group. Never knew what it REALLY stood for. My gosh, more America haters!!
Our country is becoming so balkanized.
_________________
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” (Thomas Paine, 1776)

[GenrXr]

America is too benevolent of a nation. We should of kept Mexico when we invaded and occupied Mexico City. In the hundred plus years since we captured Mexico, their government has done nothing for their people, whereas America would of given them everything they cross the border for today.
_________________
"An activist is the person who cleans up the water, not the one claiming its dirty."
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Founder of Conservative Philosophy

[Guest]

Just read their proported "Constitution" it is disgusting. UGLY PEOPLE!

Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan


National Constitution


Preamble

Chicano and Chicana students of Aztlan must take upon themselves the responsibilities to promote Chicanismo within the community, politicizing our Raza with an emphasis on indigenous consciousness to continue the struggle for the self-determination of the Chicano people for the purpose of liberating Aztlan.

The following structure will make every MEChista accountable to its chapter, every chapter accountable to it's central (where applicable), every central accountable to its region, every region accountable to its state (where applicable), and every state accountable to the national.




Article I: Name

Section 1.

The name of this organization shall be the National Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA).

Section 2.

The official symbol of this organization shall be the eagle with its wings spread, bearing a macahuittle in one claw and a dynamite stick in the other with the lighted fuse in its beak. The acronym MEChA shall be above the symbol with the phrase "La Union Hace La Fuerza" below.




Article II: Organizational Objectives

Section 1. National MEChA outlines the following organizational objectives:

A) To strive for educational, cultural, economical, political, and social

empowerment within the Chicano community in order to liberate

nuestra gente;



B) To undertake the responsibility of retaining our identity and

furthering our cultural awareness;



C) To undertake the responsibility of uplifting and mobilizing Chicanos

and Chicanas through higher education;



D) To implement plans of action concerning Chicanos and Chicanas.






Article III: National MEChA Structure



Section 1.

National MEChA Coordinating Council (NMCC): To more effectively achieve its organizational objectives, National MEChA collectively delegates specific powers, duties, and responsibilities to the NMCC.



Section 2. The NMCC will have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities:



A) To maintain national communications among all recognized MEChA Regions;

B) To facilitate the implementation of a National MEChA Advocacy Agenda developed annually at the National MEChA Conference;

C) To be empowered to take national positions on behalf of National MEChA whenever it is deemed necessary or appropriate as suggested by recognized National MEChA Regions;

D) To ensure that the MEChA National Constitution is abided by regionally and nationally with respects to process and organization;


E) To serve as the primary interpreter of the MEChA National Constitution in cases of constitutional questions or disputes;

F) To follow-up on resolutions adopted by officially recognized MEChA Chapters at the National MEChA Conference resolutions session meeting;

G) To monitor the organization and progress of the National MEChA Conference by the National MEChA Conference hosting campus;

H) To foster the growth and development of national MEChA leadership on a local and national level through special programs and projects;

I) To work on the constant internal and external development of National MEChA;



J) To meet at least three (3) times a year at different recognized MEChA Regions.





Section 3.

NMCC Membership: There will be two (2) Regional MEChA Representatives (one male and one female) elected individualism per recognized MEChA Region for one (I ) year terms.



Section 4. Regional MEChA Representatives will have the following duties and responsibilities:



A) To be empowered by their recognized MEChA Regions to represent their respective regions and make decisions on their behalf on the NMCC;

B) To be responsible for the distribution of information attained at all NMCC meetings to their respective regional MEChA chapters;

C) To attend all NMCC meetings and vote on all matters that come before the NMCC.

D) To be directly accountable to their respective recognized MEChA Region.





Section 5. NMCC Meetings:



A) The NMCC will meet at least three (3) times a year.

B) NMCC meetings will rotate from each recognized MEChA Region.

C) NMCC meetings will be hosted by recognized MEChA chapters within recognized MEChA Regions.

D) NMCC meetings will be facilitated by one of the NMCC Co- Chairpersons.

E) Quorum for all NMCC meetings will be two-thirds (2/3) of the recognized MEChA Regions.

F) All NMCC meetings shall be conducted by Robert's Rules of Order until an alternate method can be found.





Section 6. NMCC Voting and Decision Making:



A) Each recognized MEChA Region shall be allowed to cast only one (1) vote at NMCC meetings, with the exception of the election of NMCC officers.

B) All decisions of the NMCC, with the exception of the election of NMCC officers, require a two-thirds (2/3) approval of all r recognized MEChA Regions represented on the NMCC.

C) Believing that the direction of the NMCC must be guided by the grassroots, all decisions of the NMCC may be reversed by recognized MEChA chapters in attendance at the MEChA National Conference by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote.





Section 7.

NMCC Officers: There will be two (2) NMCC Co-Chairpersons (male and female and one (I ) NMCC Secretary-Treasurer, elected among the NMCC membership, whom will serve as the officers of the NMCC.



Section 8. NMCC Officer Duties:



A) Co-Chairpersons

1. To facilitate all meetings of the NMCC (The Co- Chairpersons will alternate facilitation of meetings among themselves);

2. To prepare formal agendas, in consultation with the Secretary-Treasurer, for all NMCC meetings;

3. To keep consistent communication among all NMCC members;

4. To serve as the official representatives and spokespersons for general public relations of National MEChA to the media and other organizations or entities.

5. To serve as the neutral facilitators of the Resolution Circle at the MEChA National Conference;


B) Secretary-Treasurer

1. To keep the minutes of all NMCC meetings and present them at each subsequent meeting for official approval by the NMCC membership;

2. To assist the Co-Chairpersons in receiving and issuing correspondences regarding the activities, courses of action, and policies of the NMCC;

3. To record attendance at all NMCC meetings;

4. To maintain a historical file of all official NMCC activities and functions;

5. To help in the development of all NMCC meeting agendas;

6. To help in all administrative duties of the NMCC.

7. To be responsible for researching potential funding sources for National MEChA.



Section 9.

NMCC Officer Elections: There will be an annual election for the NMCC officers at the MEChA National Conference.


Section 10.

All NMCC officers shall be elected every year and are eligible for reelection for a second term. No officer shall be re-elected for more than two consecutive terms in the same office.



Section 11.

All candidates for NMCC officer positions must meet the requirements of the office.



Section 12.

Only members of the NMCC may nominate another NMCC member for the positions of NMCC Co-Chairpersons or NMCC Secretary-Treasurer.



Section 13.

Each NMCC Co-Chairperson (male and female) must be from a different recognized MEChA Region than their counterpart. The NMCC Secretary-Treasurer must also be from a different recognized MEChA Region than the two NMCC Co-Chairpersons.



Section 14.

Each NMCC member shall be allowed to cast one (I ) vote for NMCC officers. Voting for NMCC officers shall be done by closed ballot.



Section 15.

Two NMCC members, from different recognized MEChA Regions and who are not running for an officer position, will be selected at large by the full membership of the NMCC to count and report back the results of the election of officers. The results of the election will be reported back to the full NMCC that same day and will be recorded in the minutes.



Section 16.

Only officially recognized NMCC members will be allowed to vote during the election of NMCC officers.



Section 17.

A simple majority (50%+1) of the NMCC membership is needed to win each officer position. In the case where more than two people are running for a position, and no one receives a simple majority, the candidates having the two highest counts will have a run-election immediately thereafter.



Section 18.

The newly elected officers will officially assume their roles immediately following the National MEChA Conference.



Section 19.

When a vacancy in any of the NMCC officer positions takes place, the NMCC shall immediately conduct a special election.



Section 20. MEChA Regions:



A) The Regional Committee involves both logistic planning and information

distribution within its region receiving direction from the voting campuses.


B) National MEChA recognizes the regions defined by states.



Section 21.

A regional communication center shall be established where all MEChA regional information (i.e. minutes, phone lists, etc.) will be kept and distributed upon request.



Section 22.

The region shall convene regularly with a quorum of 50% + 1% of all voting campuses.



Section 23.

Voting Privileges: Any campus wanting to become part of the Regional Process must gain its affiliation and voting rights through their recognized Regional.



Section 24.

In order to be a MEChA chapter recognized by the Regional, it shall adopt and abide by the following responsibilities:


A) Orient all members by discussing and reading historical documents of

our Movimiento including: El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan Espiritual de

Aztlan, and the MEChA Position Papers of Philosophy, Constitutions,

Relationship to Outside Organizations, and Goals & Objectives.



B) Make important aspects of the Chicano Movement relevant to

MEChistas .



C) Send at least one ( I ) representative to the Regional meetings to be

recognized as a voting chapter.



Section 25. Responsibilities of the MEChA Regionals include:



A) To implement plans of action for their particular region.

B) To meet on a regular basis.

C) To review, recruit, and educate campuses wishing to form a MEChA chapter.



Section 26.

Recognized MEChA Regions will annually elect two (2) Regional Representatives (male and female) to represent their respective MEChA Region on the NMCC.



Section 27.

Each recognized MEChA Region will establish an election process for their two (2) NMCC Regional Representatives that involves the full participation of all officially recognized MEChA chapters in their respective MEChA Region.



Section 28.

All NMCC Regional Representatives selected by each recognized MEChA Region must be fully recognized members of their campus MEChA chapter and they must also be from a campus that is officially recognized by their MEChA Region.


Section 29.

The two (2) NMCC Regional Representatives elected per respective recognized MEChA Region must be from separate campus MEChA chapters within each recognized MEChA Region.




Article IV: National MEChA Guidelines



Section 1.

A MEChA National Conference shall be held once a year and shall rotate from state to state.



Section 2.

The purpose of this conference shall be to bring all MEChA chapters together in an effort to bring a MEChA National Conference that maintains and reaffirms the principles and philosophies of MEChA.



Section 3.

At the MEChA National Conference, steps will be taken to establish ties among the MEChA chapters in the spirit of Aztlan. The purpose of the National is to create a vibrant and responsive network of Chicano and Chicana activists who will respond as a unit against oppression and racism and will work in harmony when initiating and carrying out campaigns and liberation for our people.



Section 4. MEChA National Conference Rules:



A) Only MEChA chapters recognized by their respective regions

can vote.

B) Individuals and/or groups with a history of party-building

and cadre raiding inside of MEChA will not be able to participate or

attend the MEChA National Conference (see MEChA's Philosophy Papers:

Relationship to Outside Organizations).


C) Non-voting individuals and/or groups can not attend or participate in

any workshops or meetings wherein constitutional issues or resolutions

will be discussed or voted upon, unless these individuals and/or groups meet

both of the following criteria:


1) Have sponsorship from a MEChA chapter which is recognized by its respective MEChA Region;

2) Be approved by unanimous consent by all recognized MEChA Chapters in attendance when these constitutional issues or resolutions are discussed or voted upon.



D) All entertainment shall be culturally oriented.



E) A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote is needed at the national level to

decline any regional boundaries.



Section 5.

All MEChA National meetings shall be conducted by Robert's Rules of Order until an alternate method can be found.


Section 6. MEChA National Conference Liaison Process:



A) Prior to each MEChA National Conference there shall

be a minimum of three (3) MEChA National Conference liaison

meetings held with the intent of having equal input from all

officially recognized MEChA chapters into the conference.



B) Each of the MEChA National Conference liaison meetings shall be

held in different states chosen by the NMCC.



C) All MEChA National Conference liaison meetings must be hosted

by a MEChA chapter which is officially recognized by its respective

recognized MEChA Region.



D) All non-MEChA individuals or organizations who wish to attend

a MEChA National Conference liaison meeting must meet all of the

following criteria:



1. Have sponsorship from a MEChA chapter which is recognized by its respective recognized MEChA Region;



2. Be approved to attend the MEChA National Conference liaison meeting by the recognized MEChA Region in which the liaison is being held;


3. Be approved by unanimous consent the day of the MEChA National Conference liaison meeting by all the regionally recognized MEChA chapters in attendance.


E) Final decisions regarding the MEChA National Conference shall be

made at the last MEChA National Conference liaison meeting.





Section 7.

The MEChA National Conference hosting campus shall be required to submit a written report to the NMCC at each of the NMCC meetings that outlines their progress with respects to organizing the MEChA National Conference (i.e. funding, logistics, etc.) and the MEChA National Conference liaison meetings.



Section 8.

The MEChA National Conference hosting campus must be prepared to attend any NMCC meetings in which a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the recognized MEChA Regions represented on the NMCC may have questions or concerns regarding the MEChA National Conference.



Section 9. National MEChA Communications Center:



A) The MEChA National Conference hosting campus is responsible for distributing the resolutions to all the regional communication centers one month (30 days) prior to the MEChA National Conference.



B) The MEChA National Conference hosting campus must forward all information regarding MEChA National Conference planning to next year's hosting campus within two (2) months after the MEChA National Conference.



Section 10.

MEChA chapters may establish "terms of agreement" with any outside entities, organizations, and/or individuals who they choose to have a working relationship with. If these "terms of agreement " are violated, documentation explaining the violation must be distributed to all regional communication centers through the National MEChA Communications Center and the NMCC.





Article V: Amendments

Section 1. Amendments to the MEChA National Constitution shall be as follows:


A) Amendments and/or changes to the MEChA National Constitution shall be first submitted in writing to the MEChA National Conference hosting campus two (2) months prior to the MEChA National Conference and shall be mailed out to the regional communication centers by the hosting campus.

B) A national structure workshop at the MEChA National Conference is required for the proposed amendments so to that regionally recognized MEChA chapters have an opportunity to discuss proposed changes.

C) The general body shall vote on the proposed amendment at the resolution session.

D) A two-thirds (2/3) vote of officially recognized MEChA chapters present at the MEChA National Conference shall pass the amendment.




Adopted on April 9,1995 at the 1995 MEChA National Conference


Hosted by MEChA at the University of California - Berkeley



Amendments:


Amendments and/or changes to the Constitution shall be first submitted in writing to the hosting campus two (2) months prior to the MEChA National Conference and shall be mailed out to the communication centers by the hosting campus.



Amended on April 14,1996 MEChA National Conference

Hosted by El Sexto Sol de MEChA at the University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg


source

[kate]

some kindred spirits of MEChA... and their plans for the reconquista of Aztlan

some of you may have heard of this monument at Baldwin Park
Rally at the Baldwin Park, CA Monument
~snippets from the TeamAmerica website

[Guest]

[Guest]

Widening the Road to Civic Engagement

[SBD]

WORLDNET DAILY

Wednesday, May 25, 2005
INVASION USA
Anti-illegals activists threatened
Hispanic group suggests food workers might taint food at Vegas summit
Posted: May 25, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Ron Strom
� 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

A radical anti-American group working for the establishment of a separate Hispanic nation in the southwest U.S. has threatened attendees of an anti-illegal immigration conference in Las Vegas planned for this weekend, saying Mexican food workers might cause "Montezuma's Revenge" among those they serve.

A news release from La Voz de Aztlan � which sees its struggle for a separate state with Los Angeles as its capital as similar to that of the Palestinians in the Middle East � announces that leaders of the "USA Anti-Mexican Movement" � Aztlan's own term � will be meeting this weekend in Las Vegas.

States the group: "The 'Who's Who List of Xenophobes' will be at the Plaza Hotel on Friday May 27, Saturday May 28 and Sunday May 29 to coordinate the vigilante operations they plan to undertake along the California/Mexico border on June through August."

The mention of "vigilante operations" is a reference to the activities of the Minuteman Project, a successful citizen border patrol effort that effectively shut down the flow of illegal aliens from Mexico this spring over a 23-mile stretch in Arizona.

"Among the racists who will be attending is head bigot Tom Tancredo," says La Voz de Aztlan. "Tancredo is a congressman from Colorado who has aspirations to become USA president by utilizing Mexican immigrants as 'scapegoats' for the nation's economic and social problems. Among other bigots attending are felon Chris Simcox of the Minutemen vigilantes and his lackey Jim Gilchrist. The list of anti-Mexican xenophobes also includes Glenn Spencer [American Border Patrol], Barbara Coe [California Coalition for Immigration Reform], and the 'coconut' Andy Ramirez [Friends of the Border Patrol]. 'Vendido' Andy Ramirez is being utilized by the bigots as a 'Taco Tio.'"

The event is being sponsored by the Wake Up American Foundation. The true name of the conference, according to the event website, is "United to Fight Against Illegal Immigration Summit."

Though the Plaza Hotel will house some of the attendees, sessions will be held at the Cashman Center in Las Vegas.

The release from La Voz de Aztlan ends with the threat:

"What the bigots who will be meeting at the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas don't know may not harm them, but the fact is that most of the personnel who work in the hotel's kitchens are Mexican. We pray that they don't fall victims of 'Montezuma's Revenge' from eating the food."

Patricia Saye is co-founder of Wake Up America.

"What's so funny about this is the event is not being held at the Plaza Hotel," she told WND. "It's being held at the Cashman Theatre."

Saye said her group is not concerned about the threats.

"If we were to let these people frighten us, we wouldn't be very good Americans, would we?" Saye asked. "We've all been fighters throughout the generations, for our freedoms and our liberties, so we're going to stand our ground."

Saye said it's hard to estimate how many people will attend the event, but she figured the number would be between 500 and 1,000.

"A lot of people buy their tickets at the last minute," she said.

Saye explained the many groups involved in the summit hope to form a coalition that will then put pressure on "city, county, state and federal elected officials to apply the laws [regarding immigration]. We have laws on the books already, but they're being ignored. �

"With numbers, we can have power to get our elected officials to do something."

Hispanic activists for years have sought a separate state from the area they believe was unjustly taken by the U.S.

"If in 50 years most of our people are subordinated, powerless, exploited and impoverished, then I will say to you that there are all kinds of possibilities for movements to develop like the ones that we've witnessed in the last few years all over the world, from Yugoslavia to Chechnya," University of California at Riverside professor Armando Navarro told WND in 2002.

"A secessionist movement is not something that you can put away and say it is never going to happen in the United States," he continued. "Time and history change."

Aztlan, the mythical birthplace of the Aztecs, is regarded in Chicano folklore as an area that includes California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and parts of Colorado and Texas. It is this area � lost when Mexico signed the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo at the end of the Mexican-American War � that activists want to make into a sovereign Hispanic state that could eventually merge with Mexico.

On its website, La Voz de Aztlan, which means the Voice of Aztlan, identifies Mexicans in the U.S. as "America's Palestinians." Many Mexicans see themselves as part of a transnational ethnic group known as "La Raza," the race. La Voz de Aztlan declares on its site that "both La Raza and the Palestinians have been displaced by invaders that have utilized military means to conquer and occupy our territories."


SBD

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

"xenophobes?"

"vigilantes?"

With friends like this, who needs al qaeda?
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[LewWaters]

[Guest]

[Tom Poole]

As I understand it, the lands were not only ceded through the Treaty of Hidalgo but Mexico was fairly paid for every acre eventually included within US borders. If these MEChA pukes really want Aztlan back, I have news for them. It's for sale. I have some more news for them. They can't afford it.
_________________
'58 Airedale HMR(L)-261 VMO-2