Los Angeles, Alta California
August 21, 2007
LOS ANGELES: Mayor questions ICE on arrest of Elvira Arellano
The mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, has forwarded an inquiry to the local office of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) concerning the tactics used to arrest Elvira Arellano on Sunday outside "La Iglesia de Nuestra Seņora Reina de Los Angeles". Los Angeles has one of the largest populations of Mexican descent in the world, second only to Mexico City. The mayor, who is of Mexican descent, is concerned that ICE tactics, which divide families, will also divide communities.
Jim Hayes, the ICE chief in Los Angeles, continuously referred to the devoted
mother of an 8 year son as, "A criminal fugitive alien from Mexico". This is extremely insensitive and can be construed as an insult to the local Mexican-American population. There is a possibility that the mayor's office may request US Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez to remove Jim Hayes from Los Angeles.
The callous nature of the ICE arrest of the 32 year old mother, has angered many community leaders and organizations. Angelica Salas, leader of "La Coalicion de Los Angeles para los Derechos de los Inmigrantes" (CHIRLA), has launched a series of candlelight vigils throughout the USA and has committed her organization's resources to the planned march on Washington DC to take place on September 12. Juan Jose Gutierrez, leader of "Movimiento Latino USA", said that he will join in the effort for a march on Washington DC on September 12 and in addition has called for an economic boycott by all Latinos on the same day. Juan Jose Gutierrez is also organizing a massive protest on October 12 to take place in Los Angeles.
Elvira Arellano, considered by many to be the Rosa Parks of the Immigration Rights Movement, has united many organizations. The powerful March 25th Coalition, Hermandad Mexicana, labor unions, the Catholic Church, the Methodist Chirch and other Christian Churches have all come together in support of Elvira Arellano. It looks like the September 12th March on Washington is going to be huge. There is a proposal to establish a permanent camp in the nation's capital where activists can sleep and where food and water can be served.
