Photos from Melissa Ayala
[portfolio_slideshow id=988]
[portfolio_slideshow id=988]
The nature of this economic crises is rooted in an economic structure whose primary interests are focused on profit and not on the well-being of the majority of people nationally and globally. The structure itself is held responsible for a melt-down of financial institutions and millions of workers hurled into unemployment, poverty, hunger and homelessness.
[one_half]In keeping with their defense of benefiting the top wealthy 1%, the right-wing is advancing a united front of: less regulations for corporations; letting supply and demand rule; letting the market work on its own; with no taxes (particularly at the top); with a consistent view that riches at the top will eventually trickle down to the working people; while blaming undocumented immigrants, people of color, union members, LGBT communities, poor people, and third world countries for the state of the economy.
The issue of planning in the interests of the majority is a key issue. The character of this economic system is that it has the highest level of planning in individual corporations that do everything competitively to reap the most profits. However, there is a lack of planning on a national and international level rather than a culture of collectivity dominating to use the earth’s resources to solve the many problems threatening our survival, there is a culture of greed and selfishness in the forefront.
The economic crisis is creating an opportunity for transformation. There is a need to advance a dialogue on the contradictions inherent in this economy, deepen research on the new local and global economic models that are emerging, and promote the growth of a movement based on the creation of transformative structural models of equity.
With the inability of traditional politics and politicians internationally not being able to come up with viable solutions to a growing economic crisis, there is a growing movement to advance theories and practices for a new economy
This movement is one that is based on rethinking the nature of ownership and rethinking the definition of “growth” as a basis for gauging whether there is progress..
This is an area where we can build on our common work: how to build examples of “systemic change” where the resources are used for a new type of growth that is rooted in creating a better quality of life for all. This can include worker-owned companies, cooperatives, and social enterprises that use the people’s resources for serving just and equitable community-building goals.[/one_half]
[one_half_last]This also includes the organizing of spaces of collectivity that can move from policy change within the local areas in to larger and broader change. An example is how, in the state of California, community-based coalitions have challenged the federal government’s immigration enforcement policies by organizing and passing legislation allowing undocumented students, not only to go to college, but to receive financial aid. In the city of Pomona, a coalition of pro-immigrant organizations, Pomona Habla (that includes the Latino and Latina Roundtable), changed city council policies that discriminated against undocumented immigrants and were part of a larger movement resulting in the passage of a statewide bill allowing anyone stopped at a checkpoint without a driver’s license to have someone come and pick up their car. This will kill the millions of dollars being made by the tow truck and impoundment companies. The governor, as a result of these movements, also signed a bill that called for “neither California nor any of its cities, counties, or special districts require an employer to use E-Verify as a condition of receiving a government contract, applying for or maintaining a business license, or as a penalty for violating licensing o other similar laws.” Now, these same coalitions are part of statewide coalitions that are advancing organized efforts to enact policies that will give qualified undocumented immigrants who pay state income taxes the option to enter a program whose participants will gain relief from federal enforcement and whose labor will be decriminalized.
The strength of these efforts is that they continue to build the collective capacities of our communities in advancing new directions for a more just and democratic society.[/one_half_last]
As a community-based participant ethnographer, Dr. Calderon has published numerous articles and studies based on his community experiences and observations.
Selected publications include:
The California Assembly is due to vote on COPA in the next 3 weeks. COPA would provide a “safe harbor” to up to 2 million undocumented California residents. www.calopportunity.org
We are urging the Latino Legislative Caucus to adopt COPA/ACA 27 as a unifying cause for Latino legislatures and their constituents for 2012. Help us by calling 14 Latino Legislatures Today!
Here’s how:
1. Dial their capitol office and ask to speak with their legislative director or contact person. If they are not available leave a message with the secretary.
2. When you speak you should say something like:
For Assemblymembers:
“Hi my name is __________, I am calling on behalf of [your organization] part of the COPA/ACA 27 Community Coalition. I’m calling to ask the Assemblymember to vote yes on ACA 27 – COPA.”
For Senators:
“Hi my name is __________, I am calling on behalf of [your organization] part of the COPA/ACA 27 Community Coalition. I’mcalling to ask the Senator to support ACA 27 – COPA. This is an important piece of legislation for our community.”
3. That is it! Make 14 of these calls and share with your membership network.
Here is the list to call:
Assemblymember Chuck Calderon
Assemblymember Henry Perea
Assemblymember Jose Solorio
Assemblymember Luis Alejo
Assemblymember Nora Campos
Assemblymember Norma Torres
Assemblymember Tony Mendoza
Senator Alex Padilla
Senator Ed Hernandez
Senator Gloria Negrete-McLeod
Senator Juan Vargas
Senator Kevin de Leon
Senator Lou Correa
Senator Michael Rubio
RSVP to join the COPA Lobby Group Bus traveling to Sacramento-Wed, June 13-CLICK to RSVP
—
Diego E. Janacua Cortez
Field Organizer
SVREP
Office: (323) 343-9299
Learn about COPA:
The Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP), founded in 1974, is the largest and oldest non-partisan Latino voter participation organization in the US.
May26,2012 De Pie, Cal Poly Dreamers, present certificate of appreciation to Latino Roundtable.
May26,2012 Latino Roundtable annual planning meeting — with Jose Z. Calderon, Ignacio “Nacho”, James Sanbrano, Roberto Balentyne, Rose Romero Calderon and Angela Sanbrano at Pitzer Hall (Pitzer College Campus
Many people do not know that there is a barrio in Claremont and that it has a long history of survival. The community organized to ensure that Barrio Park was not gentrified and now has a sign, a basketball court, and restrooms.
There will be a 40th Anniversary celebration of Barrio Park in Claremont on Saturday, June 16th from 10 A. M. – 6 P. M. There is already some controversy as is described by the link to this article that came out last week:
The article “Claremont Council Ponders Church/State Separation”
Good News — the California State Assembly, by a vote of 46 -24, just passed the Inequitable Impounds Bill (AB 1993).
AB 1993 (Ma) Inequitable Impounds, will allow local governments to impound a car for less than 30 days for certain traffic infractions where the offense involves a person who has never been driven a driver’s license.
AB 1993 would end the unfair and unnecessary car impoundment policies which are resulting in severe financial hardship for low-income individuals and families in California.
This bill will prevent car impoundments by allowing unlicensed drivers “reasonable time” to call a licensed driver to show up at the scene and drive the vehicle away.
AB 1993, the Inequitable Impounds bill, is moving forward. The Assembly will vote on the bill this week (as early as tomorrow).
Please call your Assembly member today to express your support for the bill. (If you aren’t sure who your representative is, this Find Your State Representatives link may be helpful.)
AB 1993 (Ma) Inequitable Impounds, will allow local governments to impound a car for less than 30 days for certain traffic infractions where the offense involves a person who has never been given a driver’s license.
AB 1993 would end the unfair and unnecessary car impoundment policies which are resulting in severe financial hardship for low-income individuals and families in California.
This bill will prevent car impoundments by allowing unlicensed drivers “reasonable time” to call a licensed driver to show up at the scene and drive the vehicle away.
Thank you for your continued support!
Gabriela Villareal
Policy Analyst
California Immigrant Policy Center