Voices Stories by Lenc
American curios
Although we have not seen massive marches to protest the economic crisis on the scale seen in Europe, behind the scenes there are new and unexpected coalitions for change pushing for a new economy.
Migrant leaders question President Calderón’s war on crime
Twenty-nine community leaders met with Mexico's president Calderon. Magallán, director of Asociación Tepeyac, in New York, was one of dozens who raised their voices to criticize the situation in Mexico and the United States, but he went further when he warned that the legacy of Calderón's six-year term is more insecurity and that the promise to become the president for employment remained unfulfilled.
Diaspora and Haiti !
The first National Day of the Diaspora was celebrated Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at the Caribe Convention Center by governmental authorities around the theme: "A strong Diaspora for a prosperous Haiti." For his part, Edwin Paraison, Minister of Haitians Living Abroad and initiator of this activity, called the Haitian Diaspora to unite in order to better defend their common rights. more>
Union revolt in Long Island over wage freeze
Civil Service Employees Association filed a civil lawsuit in the federal court alleging the Nassau Interim Finance Authority violated the union members' constitutional rights. more>
Obama bets his political capital on immigration reform
"I think if he puts in as much energy as he says that he will be successful. I admit I am bit burned out on this issue because I have heard all this before, but this time I think things will be different. The people who gathered at the White House have clout and they plan to use that power to make sure that this time around immigration reform gets passed by Congress," said SEIU Vice President Eliseo Medina. more>
A battle at the polls, and the deferment of a dream
It's the same old story. During electoral campaigns, they promise to work for the Hispanic and immigrant community and call for our votes, but, at the hour of truth, they vote and act against the Hispanic community. With a calculator in hand, they apply the old formula: only one in 100 Hispanics vote. more>
Praying to God with a hammer in hand
To continue with the saga of contradictory messages on the issue of immigration, it turns out Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) wants to better its image among the immigrant population of Chicago, Illinois, while in nearby Detroit, Michigan, ICE appears to be focused on intimidating families in the vicinity of a school, going against its own guidelines not to conduct immigration operatives near schools or houses of worship. more>
Census 2010: Without organization, Latinos are just a statistic
According to current statistics, and not even taking into consideration those released by the Census last week, there are at least 30 districts in Congress where Hispanics are the majority, although they are not represented by Hispanics. Eight states will have additional seats in the House of Representatives following the 2012 election thanks to growth of Hispanic populations. more>
Fear tactic – Initiative to verify employee information opens debate in Long Island
Pro-immigrant activists in Suffolk see County Executive Steve Levy's push for anti-immigrant legislation as a political tactic to draw in his white community base. more>
Obama traces the country’s future
Leaders of several Hispanic organizations and immigration groups remained cautious and critical of Obama's words. "It was good that he placed the issue within the framework of competitiveness, while making emphasis on his commitment for immigration reform. More needs to be done," said Eric Rodriguez, vice president of National Council of La Raza (NCLR). more>
Mexicans are content in US, but feel discrimination
VIDEO :: Scott Bittle, Director of Public Issues Analysis for Public Agenda talks about recent immigration trends. more>
VideoNYC bodegueros confronting crisis
Thousands of stores on the verge of bankruptcy or in danger of losing their premises due to the exorbitant rise in rents. more>
Willets Point workers still struggling to save their businesses
“I have had this business for many years and during all that time we have worked without electricity and water. We have to work miracles to survive here with our businesses. There are children and whole families here who are waiting for help, but not to be displaced,” says Edmundo Salazar, from Peru, who is employed at one of the mechanic shops in Willets Point. more>
Economic crisis: Bodegas in NYC on shaky ground
Facing rising prices and fewer customers, the situation is getting complicated for the bodegas in New York. Marino Camilo, a manager of a small supermarket in midtown Manhattan, reports he has had to cut back hours and days for his eight employees in order to deal with the economic crisis. more>
What injustice
Failure to protect undocumented immigrants against crime sends fear into NY immigrant communities. more>
To the expressions of hate – Noise and fury
National Council of La Raza President Janet Murguia’s speech at the National Press Club in D.C last month was an outspoken and angered response to a rightful frustration – Latinos have a long history of being the recipients of insults and malicious characterizations proffered by media personalities, who go unpunished. more>
Latino economic power vs. mainstream stereotypes
The number of Hispanics who earn $100,000 and have a minimum of $500,000 in assets outpaced the general population eightfold. But when you turn to the media, the stories about Latinos focus only on them as victims and assailants. more>
Hispanics immigration gravitating South
Increase of job availability in six southern states have caused an enormous surge of Latino population in the 1990s. more>
