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Archive for the ‘Joaquin Luna DREAM Act’ Category

Thumbs up to Mark Zuckerberg for launching new organization called Fwd.us in support of immigration reform!

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

The momentum in support of legal immigration reform continues!

Kudos to facebook founder Mark Zucerkberg.  Arizona is thirsty for this.

From the WAPOST:

Why Mark Zuckerberg cares about immigration reform

Justin Sullivan/GETTY IMAGES – Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other tech titans have formed a lobbying group to aid the industry’s recruiting efforts.

By , Updated: Thursday, April 11, 9:35 AM

Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg launched a new organization, called Fwd.us, Thursday to advocate for immigration reform in the United States.Zuckerberg unveiled the group in an op-ed in The Washington Post.

April Artist of the Month — Logic Ali Featuring Adolfo Salazar

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

Logic Ali

I grew increasingly attentive when the musician spoke of Mark Twain.

Logic Ali had a grandfather who was well known in both the United States and Mexico for being a welterweight boxer in the 1950’s and went on to be one of the first Mexican champions in our Nation. His mother was born in Mexico and his father was born in the United States.  Born in California, Logic Ali grew up in Los Angeles and later attended college at UCLA.  He dropped out of college during his senior year with only 8 classes to go because he wanted to pursue music.  Instinct told him he would end up being a teacher if he graduated so he decided to pursue his dream in music instead.

Logic Ali has been creating music since 15 years of age.  His inspiration comes from the likes of (not limited to) Jim Morrison, The Doors, Beatles, Al Green to the Wu-Tang Clan. His favorite instrument is the key board and he can make approximately 10-15 songs every 2-3 days.   His goal is to become one of the greats as a  Hip Hop DJ/Producer.  He wants to help bring Hip Hop to its roots by taking all the great artists, using 2 turn tables and looping vinyl records while putting a twist from every genre imaginable and adding bass to it.

Logic Ali wrote songs about life at 16 but it was not enough in the creative outlet he wanted to dive into.  He is involved in a number of projects using different pseudonyms allowing him to think differently and out of the box as he dives deeper into the genre he is pursuing.  There are no rules in music, and his goal is to write from many different perspectives and view points other people may have.   Some writers regularly write in more than one genre and they use different pen names for each.  According to the Mark Twain Institute, “Twain used different pen names (pseudonyms or “noms de plume”) before deciding on “Mark Twain”. He signed humorous and imaginative sketches “Josh” until 1863. Additionally, he used the pen name “Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass” for a series of humorous letters.”

Very few appearances are made by Logic Ali, but he will be making an appearance on April 5, 2013, during First Friday in Phoenix where thousands of people will be visiting art galleries and enjoying culture.  He will also be playing with “Vas Aver” – a band that capitalizes on love songs and integrating the female audience.  Vas Aver includes Jonny Diina, a guitarist, co-vocalist and producer while Logic Ali is the rapper/producer component.

Logic Ali featuring Adolfo Salazar created a brand new song for the Tequila Party Immigration CD called “We’re All Neighbors Sin Papeles” and it is about how some people and politicians hate our neighbors to the south. The inspiration behind this track is Joaquin Luna and the DREAM Act. Adolfo Salazar was deeply affected by Joaquin Luna’s suicide so he helped the grieving family with their funeral expenses.  DREAM Act student, Joaquin Luna, was one of ours who  took his life because he felt as an undocumented immigrant he had nowhere to go. He relied and was hoping for the passage of the DREAM Act in December 2010 that could have been passed with only a handful more Senate votes.

Perhaps there is a little bit of Mark Twain in DJ Rapper/Producer Logic Ali featuring DJ/Producer Adolfo Salazar – after all, Twain once wrote that “slavery dehumanized the slave and made monsters of the slave owner” in that era.  Now we see songs being written in the current era with regard to the dehumanization of immigrants and the horrible consequences of it.

Logic Ali is an artist to follow with regard to the songs he writes bringing about social awareness.

Logic Ali and Adolfo Salazar

 

Congratulations to President Obama from Arizona: Democrats must work on legal immigration reform before 2014

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

Congratulations to President Obamafrom Arizona!

Photo taken by DeeDee Blase in Phoenix while watching Obama’s re-election speech.

The best line in his speech last night was when he said:

“We are and forever will be the United States of America.”

It was my first time voting for a Democratic President – ever.

Indeed it has been a crazy election year, and I am glad to retire from hard core grassroots activism now.

I was surprised to learn that it was the Republican Presidential Candidate via Mitt Romney who profited  approximately $50 million in the abortion industry via Stericycle despite their pro life platform.  How did the Republican Party support a man who made $50 million dollars regarding abortions?  Did the GOP change that much?  Indeed they did; in fact, the RNC included an anti-immigrant official platform one week before their 2012 Convention in Florida.  The John Tanton Network and FAIR thoroughly hijacked them. Republicans are now being viewed more and more each day as the modern-day Dixiecrats of old (reminiscent of the pre Civil Rights era).

What must the Democratic Party do in order to prevent Latinos from registering as independent voters?

Indeed we did listen to Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s victory speech on television last night where he told the whole world that “he is merely enforcing the law” and if “people” have a problem with the law then the law should be changed.  This should be a clear signal to all how Arpaio and his minions are hungry to place more blame on the Democratic Party and this is precisely why the Democratic Party must act swiftly.

We all know that Latino and immigration activists sent the Democratic Party a signal earlier this year by threatening not voting for Democratic candidates if they did not see fixes to immigration reform.

We then saw the Deferred Action take place.

Indeed the deferred action is a temporary fix, but it beats the self-deportation policies the Republicans were supporting.  That said, the Democratic Party must act fast and not insult the intelligence of Latino voters anymore.  We are glad to learn that the Nevada Senator Harry Reid has vowed to work on legal immigration reform.

She lost her daughter when she left them to a “Christian” couple to take care of when she had to leave for a bit. When she returned to take them back, they refused and she filed a lawsuit. She lost.

The Democratic Party has less than two years (well before the 2014 midterm election cycle) to fix the broken immigration system while offering a legal immigration comprehensive plan.  If and when the Democratic Party finds itself becoming threatened by restrictionist, isolationist and protectionist Republicans in the House of Representatives … the Democratic Party must outwit them and micro-target 2014 House seats where an increase and heavy Latino voting population exists.

The Democratic Party must take proactive moves and outmaneuver the isolationists or risk alienating Mexican-Americans (the fast growing ethnic group within the Latino population).

The responsibility does not rest on the Democratic Party either because we will be watching so-called Latino leaders and immigration activists accountable, too, to see if they hold Democratic Party leadership and their feet to the fire.  Will Latino and immigration activists look the other way and continue to be sheeple?  Or will they be more assertive with regard to the immigration issue?

Time will tell.

In any event, the Democratic Party must make moves to the legal immigration regard or else deal with Ruben Navarrette’s continued finger pointing.

Mexican-Americans are tired of the immigration issue being used as a political football, and now that Latinos and women essentially helped vote in  President Obama … and in light of key Democratic U.S. Senate seats being won – there are no excuses with regard to taking care of Homeland issues.  Indeed Americans are tired of spending millions of dollars on war and abroad – it is time to fix things here at home that will only benefit the American economy and our aging population.

A healthy and legal immigration solution will secure our borders, create a safer North American Continent and promote a stronger relationship with our contiguous neighbors.  Enforcement-only initiatives promote a situation that emulates the failed days of Prohibition, which serves only to encourage the underground labor market.  Our government needs the additional tax revenues that new immigrants generate in order to sustain the burgeoning entitlement programs baby boomers require as they continue to retire.  By developing a reasonable legal immigration plan, we create a system where immigrants share American tax burdens as they continue to contribute millions of dollars into our tax coffers.  New immigrants sharing our tax burdens will help discourage our government from increasing taxes, because under the current system these entitlement programs will drain all federal revenues within 15 years.

 

Latin Woman-led Organization Produces US Senate Latino-friendly List; Invokes Joaquin Luna DREAM

Saturday, November 3rd, 2012
Courtesy of KGBT Action 4 News

Joaquin Luna (DREAMer) comitted suicide the day after Thanksgiving because he felt he had no hope. Courtesy of KGBT Action 4 News – Joaquin Luna.

The National Tequila Party movement (counter movement to Tea Party extremism has produced a Latino-friendly list) for Latinos who need a guide.   The list was based on how DREAM Act views of politicians and/or how they voted on the DREAM Act during that fateful day of December 8, 2010.

We promised not to allow Joaquin Luna’s death to be in vain.

DREAM Act student, Joaquin Luna, recently took his life in Texas. At 18 years old, he had aspirations of becoming an engineer. He was one of ours. He took  his life because he felt as an undocumented immigrant he had nowhere to go. He relied and was hoping for the passage of the DREAM Act in December 2010 that could have been passed with only a handful more Senate votes.

Many of us were heartbroken in December 2010 when we saw several youth praying with white knuckled hands hoping for that DREAM Act miracle. These kids and our youth don’t want a free handout. They want to contribute their special talents and hard work to our society. We have an aging baby booming generation we need to think about and it seems like the right fit to have a loving people (my people) care for the aging and our elderly. If it is anything that we are good at, it is caring for our elderly. You rarely see Latino grandparents in nursing homes because we respect them so much that we have to care for them on a personal basis and within our homes. It’s a natural fit to embrace a fix that will only benefit Americans.

The Joaquin Luna Latino-friendly and Agricultural/Economic-friendly List

The Joaquin Luna DREAM Act List

Arizona DREAM Act students and Latino voters protest Congressman Jeff Flake in Mesa, Arizona for voting against youth in 2010

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012

Arizona DREAM Act students and Latino eligible voters via Tequila Party members support the Arizona DREAM Act protest of  Congressman Jeff Flake in Mesa, Arizona.  Jeff Flake voted against  kids and students in December 2010 and we might forgive but can never forget.  Personally, I am protesting Jeff Flake in memory of Joaquin Luna. 

Below are photos of our visit and protest of Congressman Jeff Flake in Mesa, Arizona.  Unfortunately, it appears Jeff Flake is not in support of the UTAH COMPACT principles that were set forth by Mormon leadership in Salt Lake City, Utah, and this is unfortunate.  Tea Party extremism does not pay, and will not pay handsomely for Rep. Jeff Flake.  Why does it appear that Mormon politicians like Jeff Flake and Mitt Romney are not empathetic to children, youth and immigrants?

We have video we will post as soon as it is available, but we wanted to share some photos from today’s event.

Erika Andiola did an amazing job articulating herself to Rep. Flake’s representatives. She insisted we  would have a 18.4 billion dollar positive economic impact in Arizona if the DREAM Act was to pass.

 

 

Erika Andiola a hardcore activist doing a wonderful job articulating herself here in Arizona.

 

DREAM Act students and eligible Latino voters coalesce after we send a message to Jeff Flake at his office in Mesa, Arizona.

EVENT: Protesting Candidate Jeff Flake in ousted Russell Pearce’s Mesa, Arizona, backyard tomorrow (Tuesday)

Monday, October 1st, 2012

The Tequila Party Movement is inviting members and activists to join the Arizona DREAMer in their protest of candidate Jeff Flake.

Those of us who were born here and are proud Americans will support those politicians who have compassion in their hearts.  We are eligible and eager to vote come November 6, 2012, for those who are voiceless.  It is a shame career politicians have become populists.

Jeff Flake had no mercy on our children in December 2010 when he chose to vote against our kids via the DREAM Act.

Jeff Flake chose to toe the Tea Party line instead of having the spinal fortitude to help others.  I don’t understand Mormons like Jeff Flake.  The Mormon church embraced a healthy discussion on the immigration issue, but Jeff Flake took a chance with populist or what he perceived to be a populist idea.

Indeed, most Arizonans do have compassion in their hearts for the youth — many of which are educated and have pledged their allegiance to our American flag.

Poll: Arizona voters support Dream Act

73% back measure allowing citizenship

 

Please join the protest against Jeff Flake who voted against Veterans who have served our country anyway. As an independent voter and as a veteran who served my country honorably, I take issue with Jeff Flake voting against measures that help veterans who were willing to risk their lives for this great nation.

 

PROTEST JEFF FLAKE FOR HAVING NO COMPASSION ON OUR BRIGHT YOUTH!

TIME:  4:00 pm

DATE: Tuesday, October 2, 2012

LOCATION:  1640 South Stapley Mesa, AZ

 

DREAMers to Protest Mitt Romney in Dallas, Texas, September 18th (this Tuesday) at 5:00 pm

Tuesday, September 18th, 2012

Just in from a DREAM Act supporter and friend of mine via Martha Rodríguez.

Courtesy of KGBT Action 4 News

Joaquin Luna (DREAMer) comitted suicide the day after Thanksgiving because he felt he had no hope. Courtesy of KGBT Action 4 News – Joaquin Luna.

Romney will visit Dallas for a fundraiser at the Hilton Anatole joined by his wife.

Date: September 18th, 2012

Time:  5:00 p.m.

Location: Hilton Anatole Dallas
2201 North Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75207
6:00PM

Romney has said that if president, he will veto the DREAM Act, encourage self-deportation and push for an SB-1070 National Model to be implemented. Our voices will be heard!

Posters will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Wear your graduation cap and gown or anything else DREAMer related. American flags are welcomed too! Please invite your friends!

Meet us at: Along Market Center Blvd, down to the intersection of Market Center with the I-35 frontage road. There’s public sidewalk down Market Center, but not along the frontage road. There will likely be people at all four corners of that intersection, though. There is adequate parking in the area. I’ve parked across Market Center at the Sheraton–it’s free.

DREAM Act supporters to protest Mitt Romney at U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

The National Tequila Party Movement endorses the below activity so please join DREAM Act supporters to protest Mitt Romney.  While DREAMers protest because they are not eligible to vote, those of us who were born here and are eligible to vote are going to vote and be a voice for the voiceless undocumented immigrants.

Join this EVENT this upcoming Monday in Los Angeles at the Convention Center.

Republican Presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, is scheduled to speak at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – 2012 Annual National Convention and Business Expo

 

On a side note, those of us who were born here (like myself) and are eligible to vote have a responsibility to vote for the voiceless undocumented.  I am supporting President Obama for President in 2012 because the immigration issue is important to me and breaks my heart every single day.

MONTREAL, QUE: FRIDAY APRIL 13, 2012. — Paola Ortiz, who fled to Canada six years ago to escape an abusive husband who is a federal police officer in Mexico, returned to Montreal on Friday morning after being deported to her native mexico, in September of 2011, Ortiz join has an emotional reunion with her two young children born in Canada, her son, Kinich and daughter Dennyse at Trudeau airport Friday, April 13, 2012. (Peter McCabe / THE GAZETTE )

A Sister In Mourning (Joaquin Luna Poem in English and Spanish)

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

Sister in Mourning

By Nina Hinojosa (Joaquin Luna’s sister)

April 17,1993- A very blessed date.

Joaquin Luna (DREAMer who committed suicide because he felt he had no hope) had blonde hair as a baby.

An angel named Joaquin was sent to us from Heaven that day.
With brown eyes, wavy blond hair and a smile that will warm up your heart.
Full of life, hope and dreams, tender and sweet and very innocent indeed.
If only we would of known that day that God had sent you only for a mission
To be completed and was soon to be returned .
Would the pain of losing you hurt just a bit less?
Would we have changed His mind?
Would you have stayed with us?
Was our love towards you just not enough?
November 25, 2011-God called your name that day.
And like a faithful lamb you went.
Taking a part of us with you.
Leaving us with a hole never to be filled again.
We can’t find peace.
It hurts too much.
The pain of losing you is unbearable.
Even though we all know in our hearts you are in a better place now,
And not in this cruel world.
But, that is not enough.
Our pain is still too strong.
Til that day God calls our name, to be reunited once again.
But, we are still here… So until that day,
We could only wonder… What if???
You said I love you and Goodbye you even said Happy Birthday to me that night.
I only know in my heart it will never be the same without you by my side.
I am so proud of you.
Your sacrifice — our loss moved so many,
Your death didn’t go in vain.
Lots of people mourn for you
Your mission was complete.
God knew why He sent you,
So now you stand beside Him
Fighting next to Him.
Pass the Dream Act and let it stay,
Don’t take another life ever again.
Joaquin you are gone, but never forgotten you hold a place in our hearts,
That no one could ever replace.
Your poem has more meaning now, and it’s understood,
God will lend you a Son,
Yes, indeed He will, but we will never know for how long.
We miss you and we love you,
R.I.P. , My Sweet Brother, “The Dreamer”

Love always,
Nina

 

 

 

Una Hermana en Luton

Escrito por Nina Hinojosa

17 de Abril 1993 – una fecha muy bendecida.
Un angel llamado Joaquin nos fue enviado de los cielos ese dia.
Con ojos castanos, pelo rubio ondulado y una sonrisa que alegraba tu corazon.
Lleno de vida, esperanza y suenos,
Dulce y verdadero.
Si solamente hubieramos sabido ese dia,
Que Dios te envio solamente para una mission y pronto ser regresado a El.
Fuera sido menos dolorosa tu partida?
Hubieramos podiodo cambiar Su mente?
Te hubieras quedado?
O, simplemente, nuestro amor no fue sufficiente?
25 de Noviembre 2011- Dios llamo tu nombre ese dia.
Y como una fiel obeja fuiste a El.
Llevando una parte de nosotros contigo,
Dejando un vacio que jamas sera llenado.
No encontramos paz,
El dolor es insoportable.
En nuestro corazon sabemos que te encuentras en un lugar hermoso,
Y no en este mundo cruel,
Pero, eso no es sufficiente,
El dolor es mas fuerte.
Hasta el dia que Dios llame nuestro nombre,
Y junto a ti estemos otra vez.
Pero, ese dia no a llegado,
Seguimos aqui preguntandonos,
“Y Si…?”
Nos dijiste adios, los quiero mucho,
Y hasta feliz cumpleanos me deciaste esa noche a mi,
Yo solo se en mi corazon que jamas sera igual
Sin ti a mi lado.
Orgullosa estoy de ti,
Tu sacrificio,
Nuestra perdida,
Nada fue en vano,
Muchos supieron nuestro dolor.
Lagrimas rodaron por todo el mundo,
Sintieron tu dolor.
Dios sabia tu mission,
Y hoy esta cumplida,
A Su lado te encuentras,
Peliando junto a El.
Dejen pasar “El Dream Act”, ya no quiten mas vidas.
No sienten el dolor?
Joaquin ya no estaras aqui, pero jamas seras olvidado,
Guardas una parte en nuestro corazones que nunca sera remplasada.
Tu poema favorito tiene mas segnificado
Lo entiendo hoy mejor,
“Dios te emprestara por un tiempo un Hijo”
Si, si, lo hara,
Pero, por cuanto tiempo uno nunca sabra.
Se te quiere y se te extrana mucho,
Descanza en Paz
Mi dulce hermano, Joaquin
“El Sonador”

Poem: Luna the Moon Child

Sunday, September 9th, 2012

This poem is dedicated to Nina — sister of Joaquin Luna (DREAM Act student who took his life in Texas because he felt he had no hope).   Side note: I had a bunch of inspirational poems rise up within me on Latina-led FREEDOM RIDE trip for immigrants and on our way to protest the corrupt Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the GOP Convention in Tampa, Florida, August 2012.

Luna the Moon Child

By DeeDee Garica Blase

I watched her pen a letter of heart break.
She wrote as fast as she could before our destination of roses and final rest.

Baby girl, don’t cry.
How can I wipe your tears dry?
Your momma’s gonna be all right.
Continue the good fight.

It’s our spirit that grows strong
We’ll meet him again someday, just believe and know you belong.

He is right here with us
He never abandoned
His love was the ultimate sacrifice
And it came with a price

Baby girl, please don’t cry
Please just try in this life
I know it’s hard
But we have no choice to play our card

Baby girl, please don’t cry
I wish there was something I could do to wipe your tears dry.

Luna is the moon child
He’s with us every night…
And our combined love is gonna make everything all right.

Don’t you know?
Your tears gave me strength to take a thousand more arrows.

Baby girl, everything’s gonna be all right
Just believe and have the faith that he’s with us tonight
Because the clouds have already passed,
and only stars will illuminate our paths.

 

Nina is Joaquin Luna’s sister. Joaquin Luna was a DREAMer who took his life the day after Thanksgiving 2011 because he felt he had no hope. This photo was taken when we were on our way to protest the GOP and the corrupt Sheriff Joe Arpaio. We made a stop to visit the Joaquin Luna family in south Texas.