The high un-journalistic standards over at AZCentral reported on a another lawsuit that was filed against Arizona Sheriffs and County Attorneys by open borders activists. The plaintiffs have obtained lawyers from the ACLU, MALDEF, National Immigration Law Center, American Pacific American Legal Center, National Day Labor Organization, NAACP, and Arizona's very own activist lawyer, Daniel Ortega- who went to DC for the Supreme Court hearing on SB1070.
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton heard arguments Monday over whether to grant the case class-action status, which could allow hundreds of thousands to join what has been named the Friendly House case, after one of the plaintiffs. Plaintiffs include immigrants, immigrant-rights groups, religious groups and non-profit organizations.
Why didn't AZCentral mention the other plaintiffs by name? We suspect they only mentioned the Friendly House because it sounds so innocent and, well, "friendly".
The other plaintiffs in the lawsuit that were omitted from the piece include:
1. SEIU
2. UFCW
3. AZ South Asians for Safe Families
4. Southside Presbyterian Church
5. AZ Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
6. Asian Chamber of Commerce
7. Border Action Network
8. Muslim American Citizens League
9. Valle del Sol
10. Coalicion de derechos humanos
11. Luz Santiago
Attorney Bob Henry representing Jan Brewer said,
The plaintiffs are seeking class-action status based on speculation that the law could go into effect and could lead to racial profiling. He described the motion as "riddled with ambiguity."
Let's look at the other Plaintiffs in the lawsuit and their "complaint":
SEIU:
"The plaintiffs in this action will suffer serious violations of their constitutional rights and civil liberties if SB1070 goes into effect. SEIU works in partnership with SEIU Arizona and other groups to combat discrimination and mobilize for immigration reform at the national level. SB1070's impact on already distressed county and municipal budgets will harm SEIU's members to the extent that it will result in further pay cuts, furloughs, and layoffs. In addition, SEIU is concerned that members and potential members will be fearful to attend rallies, demonstrations and union meetings or to engage in leafleting or other traditional labor activities because of the possibility of being stopped by the police under SB1070. This will significantly impact the ability of SEIU to protect its existing members and to organize new members. SEIU joins this lawsuit to preserve its ability to organize new members and to protect the rights and interests of its members and prospective members."
United Food and Commerical Workers International Union (UFCW):
"The UFCW represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail, meatpacking, food processing, and poultry industries. Within the State of Arizona there are more than 21,000 UFCW-represented workers...The UFCW represents workers who comprise a range of races and ethnicities with varying degrees of English proficiency, including substantial numbers of Latinos. The UFCW accomplishes its mission through organizing, collective bargaining, and representation of
employees."
(Randy Parraz announced his Senate candidacy in 2010 from the UFCW)
(Randy Parraz announced his Senate candidacy in 2010 from the UFCW)
Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:
"AZHCC members include non-profit organizations who serve immigrant populations, including non citizens that do not have federal authorization to be in the United States. The provisions of SB1070 create new criminal penalties for certain immigrants and non-immigrants associating with immigrants and will cause considerable confusion for AZHCC's members and other members of the general business community about their potential criminal liability under SB1070."
(Lewis and his wife attending a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Gala event)
Border Action Network:
"BAN has over 1,000 members distributed across 6 Arizona counties. The great majority of BAN's membership is Latino...Some of BAN's members, including its day laborer members, do not have permission to work or remain in the United States. Other BAN members are legal residents or U.S. citizens, and some live in families of mixed immigration status and nationality. Its staff frequently buses members to events and organizational functions without regard to their passengers' immigration status, and they are concerned that this could subject them to prosecution under SB1070. SB1070 will make it harder for its staff to maintain its membership base and to recruit new members."
Remember our expose on Rep. Russ Jones? He serves on the board of the Arizona Community Foundation and his company, RL Jones, is both a member and a donor to the ACF. The ACF gave BAN grant money starting in 2006 to "boost capacity" in their organization. The photo above shows a chartered bus sponsored by BAN filled with agitators en route to protest Arpaio. The Arizona Leader, Jennifer Allen (center in picture on right) is frequently at the Capitol with Randy Parraz and her bull horn.
The Muslim American Citizens League:
"The mission of MASF is to integrate and empower the American Muslim community through civic education, participation, community outreach, and coalition building. MAS and MASF have an office and chapter in Phoenix, Arizona, with over 30 members."
Valle del Sol:
"Valle del Sol serves a diverse mixture of populations a majority of whom are Latinos. Because the agency's name is in Spanish, there exists a fear by staff that on that basis alone, Valle del Sol may be a target under the provisions of SB1070."
HUH? Because of the name, it MIGHT lead to discrimination? What a ridiculous premise.
(One of the Senior management members for Valle del Sol is Luz Sarmina. Sarmina is also a member of "The Real Arizona Coalition" which includes groups such as Chicanos por la Causa, proponents of the Arizona Accord, Todd Landfried from the Arizona Employers for Immigration Reform, Friendly House, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, etc. Many of whom are listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.)
HUH? Because of the name, it MIGHT lead to discrimination? What a ridiculous premise.
(One of the Senior management members for Valle del Sol is Luz Sarmina. Sarmina is also a member of "The Real Arizona Coalition" which includes groups such as Chicanos por la Causa, proponents of the Arizona Accord, Todd Landfried from the Arizona Employers for Immigration Reform, Friendly House, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, etc. Many of whom are listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.)
Derechos Humanos
(Isabel Garcia is the leader of Derechos Humanos, a proponent of open borders and AZTLAN as well as a public defender in Pima County)
Plaintiff C.M. minor from Gilbert, Arizona and a freshman in high school:
"She is originally from Haiti and, due to the recent earthquake there, has been granted Temporary Protected Status in the United States. C.M. is 15 years old but is often told that she looks 18. C.M. does not carry any documents proving that she has been granted permission to be in the United States. However, she recently asked her mother to obtain an Arizona non-driver's identification for her after she learned about SB1070. She was afraid that she would be stopped and questioned about her immigration status due to her dark skin and the fact that she speaks a foreign language."
Luz Santiago, pastor for a church in Mesa, Arizona
"She is a U.S. citizen, Latina, and fluent in Spanish. Approximately 80% of her congregation lacks authorization by the federal government to remain in the United States."
Danny Ortega:
"She is a U.S. citizen, Latina, and fluent in Spanish. Approximately 80% of her congregation lacks authorization by the federal government to remain in the United States."
Danny Ortega:
With Randy Parraz and his wife, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors candidate, Lilia Alvarez.
