First Immigration Music CD Compilation in Spanish, English and Spanglish In The History of the United States Coming Soon!

The Tequila Party CD and our concert is a political expression via art and music to push for fixing the broken immigration system.  Artists contributing to this cause believe in a humane and legal immigration plan.  We support the DREAM Act and more importantly, we believe in Mexican-American / Chicano / Latin empowerment. We know that leadership must arise from the ethnic community (via the Mexican-Americans) who have been most hurt and most affected.  It is a fact that the majority of those who are being deported are of Mexican descent.  Mexican-Americans are a rising population muscle and they account for almost 70% of the Latino population pie.  It is time to stand firm against  what politicians in Arizona refer to as “Operation Wetback.”  It is time to support and defend those who are afraid to defend themselves.

Tequila Party Contributing Artists are as follows:

Artist:  El Moises

Musicians:

Logic Ali featuring Adolfo Salazar

FAYUCA

Mr-Lac Calderon y El Oso

PGEEZ

Guero Loco

La Republica

Andres Useche

Luis Eric

All artwork by El Moises Not For Reproduction-Copyright www. artedemoises.com

Mexican-American / Woman-led Organization Slams Republican For Using Derogatory Term “Wetback”

Contact:402-890-2295
or (520) 329-1877

For Immediate Release – 3-29-13
info@nationaltequilapartymovement.com

Shirl Mora James, President – Civil Rights and Immigration Lawyer
DeeDee Garcia Blase, Communications

Phoenix, AZ – We are disappointed to learn that Republicans are still using derogatory terms that predate the Civil Rights era.  We consider the term “wetback” offensive.  According to the Washington Post, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), in an interview with a local radio station released Thursday, referred to Latinos working on a ranch by using the derogatory term “wetbacks.”

The ousted and former Republican Senator Russell Pearce also proudly used this derogatory term despite being told it was offensive. This is precisely why Mexican-Americans who account for almost 70% of the entire Latino population pie are leaving the Republican Party and this is precisely why members of SOMOS REPUBLICANS joined a new movement via SOMOS INDEPENDENTS.  In fact, the GOP has not yet reversed their restrictionist and protectionist anti-immigrant platform they adopted in 2012.

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About the National Tequila Party Movement:
The National Tequila Party Movement (now known as SOMOS INDEPENDENTS is a woman-led political movement. More females vote in Presidential elections than men strong Latina matriarchs are emerging. It is our goal to communicatto females and Latina matriarchs across the nation with regard to the need for compassion towards undocumented immigrants and the need to fix the broken immigration system. The Tequila Party is currently organizing a national tour of concerts, events, dinners and college rallies that will encourage a massive Latino Get Out The Vote and political participation. This movement is a non-partisan movement. We don’t care how people vote, we just want them to get on the early ballot system, become consistent primary and general election voters.

Republican Don Young of Alaska uses derogatory term “Wetback”

Right now Republicans are attacking a woman’s right to choose life for their babies, and the big legislative showdown is today that begins at 11:30 Arizona Time or 1:30 Central Time.

Shirl Mora James is a Civil Rights and Immigration lawyer in the Midwest who has committed her life to protecting a woman’s right to choose in having their babies.   Shirl is also the President of a woman-led movement via SOMOS INDEPENDENTS (formerly the National Tequila Party Movement).

I will be watching her via LIVE STREAMING as she takes a very strong stance against Nebraska Governor Heineman and Senator Charles Janssen who seem to want to encourage the undocumented women to have abortions rather than receive healthy prenatal care.

So far, the NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE has not taken a stance against Republican politicians who are attacking the 14th amendment and who are attempting to take prenatal care away from babies who need prenatal care~!

Shirl Mora James will be giving the below testimony at the Nebraska legislative hearing.  She is not your ordinary internet arm revolutionary — nay, she walks her talk…hosts rallies to increase getting out the vote and conducts educational seminars.  She is a mover and a shaker.  She’s a dynamic and fierce woman who we get to see in live action here.

       March 21, 2013
Good afternoon, Chairperson Campbell and distinguished members of the Health and Human Services Committee.  My name is Shirl A. Mora James.  I am a civil rights/immigration attorney from Lincoln.  I am licensed to practice in all the Nebraska state courts, the United States Federal Courts of the District of Nebraska, the United States Immigration Court in Omaha, the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.  I am here speaking as the President of Nebraska Hispanic Bar Association and as the President of Somo Independents, a national organization lead by Latinas to register and empower Latin@s to support politicians that support our issues which include providing prenatal care for all U. S. citizen babies.

Today, my purpose is to give a voice to the silent unborn U.S. citizen babies and their mothers in this debate, these babies could be denied prenatal care, if you allow LB-518 out of committee.  Personally, I was raised in western Nebraska and taught in the Catholic teachings which value babies above all else and especially above one’s self-interest.  Simply put, no mother, whether she has legal presence or not, should ever have to ponder the possibility of aborting her wanted unborn baby because she cannot afford prenatal care.  I ask you all to consider this truth, these U.S. citizen babies and their mothers are part of our human family and must be treated as such.

Now, it is high time to call out the author of LB-518 and other anti-life politicians who attempt to dehumanize these U.S. citizen babies by calling them ‘anchor babies’ or by denying them prenatal care for their own pathetic political gain.  To the author of LB-518, I say: you are a coward who attacks innocent helpless U.S. citizen babies, where in the world is your moral compass?  Stop and think, what would you do, if these children were yours.  You profess to be ‘Prolife and have Family Values’ so then  ‘walk your talk’ and stop attacking the health and the very lives of these innocent babies and start protecting and advocating for them or else you are nothing but a hypocrite for political self-gain.

Moreover, SHAME on all the anti-life politicians that attack U.S. citizen babies because of the status of their mothers!  Finally, let’s ponder this moral question:  What have we become, in what kind of society would it ok to deny certain U.S. citizen babies prenatal care and attempt to force a mother to ponder a needless abortion, and what does it say about our so-called “Prolife” political leaders that promote the killing or disabling of certain U.S. citizen babies by denying them prenatal care.

Honorable members of this Committee, PLEASE save the babies from this EVILNESS that has seeped into the core of a very small segment of Nebraska society!  Please, I respectfully request that you all vote for our Nebraskan U.S. citizen babies and kill LB-518 in committee, and continue to allow our unborn Nebraskan babies the opportunity to obtain the necessary prenatal care regardless of the status or the wealth of their mother.  I thank you for your time and kind consideration in this most important matter.  If you have any questions for me, I would be happy to answer them now.

Sincerely,
S. A. Mora James, JD
S. A. Mora James, JD
Attorney/Abogada
President of Nebraska Hispanic Association
President of Somo Independents

(Above) President Shirl Mora James with (R) Chuck Hagel who was recently nominated as Sec. of Defense

Right now Republicans are attacking a woman’s right to choose life for their babies.

Shirl Mora James is a Civil Rights and Immigration lawyer in the Midwest who has committed her life to protecting a woman’s right to choose in having their babies.   Shirl is also the President of a woman-led movement via SOMOS INDEPENDENTS (formerly the National Tequila Party Movement).

There is a big State Capitol “pro life” showdown that will take place in Nebraska. Shirl Mora James will be giving her testimony that protects our unborn U.S. citizen babies, and we will share her written testimony as soon as I receive it from her.

The Republican Party used to be known for being the party of pro life, however, several GOP lawmakers have been supporting laws that encourage women without status to get abortions instead of prenatal care.

Will the Nebraska RIGHT TO LIFE rise up to the occasion?

Will the pro life movement chastise those politicians who claim to be pro life but are hell-bent on taking away prenatal care from brown colored women?

Write them now and ask them where they stand on prenatal care for the undocumented.

Nebraska Right to Life
404 S. 11th St., PO Box 80410, Lincoln, NE 68501,
Phone: (402) 438-4802, Email: nebraskartl@gmail.com

If the National Right to Life Organization truly believes all babies are created equal … Where is their leadership? Where do their leaders stand?

We did not see the National Right to Life, nor the Arizona Right to Life  leadership when GOP lawmakers were attacking the 14th amendment in Arizona. Will we see them testify in support of prenatal care for undocumented women tomorrow?  Will they stand up against Nebraska Governor Heineman and Senator Charles Janssen?  Will they continue to support these GOP lawmakers who are in essence encouraging abortions?

Where is the National Right to Life’s passion for the unborn?  [Keep in mind that these are the same folks who endorsed Mitt Romney who profited in the million$ from abortions.]

Does their right to life movement only apply to white babies? LB518 is Janssen’s bill in an effort to take away prenatal care from brown undocumented women.

Will our Creator see how these so-called Right to Life Organizations and their leaders have squandered their talent and donated monies in fear of GOP reprisal?

Will the good Lord create another entity who are truly pro life?  Not just from a womb standpoint — but protecting life from the womb to the tomb standpoint?

Meanwhile, a fierce woman like Shirl Mora James who has compassion in her heart for the disabled, the women, the minorities and the undocumented is issuing a rally cry.

Shirl Mora James states:

Tomorrow, State Capitol SHOWDOWN, Protecting our unborn U.S. citizen children of mothers without status….be there….STAND-UP and FIGHT for the BABIES! Prenatal care must be provided to them regardless of their mother’s wealth or status! This Thursday, the 21st, we are meeting at 1:00 p.m. outside of Room 1510, please feel free to provide written testimony, 10 copies of your testimony are needed to hand out to the Committee members. We stopped Janssen and the Governor last year, we will stop them again from committing civil violence to the mothers and their unborn Innocents!

If prenatal care is voted down tomorrow, then we will take this as a sign from the universe that the pro life movement is dwindling within the Republican party.  The midwest is as Republican as it gets and we look forward to seeing “life” win.

In August 2011, the National Tequila Party Movement (woman led counter-movement to the extreme Tea Party Movement)

Kansas Tequila Get Out The Vote Rally – 2011.  Ponka-We Victors helped us register new Latino Voters.

hosted a Kansas Latin Get Out the Vote with the help of immigration reform community leaders who want to protect children and students via the DREAM Act.  Rep. Ponka-We helped the Tequila Party register brand new Latino voters.

Rep Ponka-We Victors is a Native American serving in the Kansas state legislature.  She is a sister to Mexican-Americans for life due to  her continued support for legal immigration reform.  This dynamic woman puts her money where her mouth is and knows immigrants help the farming and agricultural industry.  She believes all [wo]men are created equal.  (I would like to see this woman run for Governor some day).

For those of you who may not know who Kris Kobach is — he is the author of Arizona’s Draconian SB1070 law.  He has helped suppress voting rights for the elderly, the disabled and minorities. We were glad to see Ponka-We Victors courage and compassion for children and students rise to the occasion today when she put Kobach in his place.

More importantly, Kris Kobach has hurt the business and agricultural community in Kansas with his restrictionist and protectionist views with regard to our economy.  Kobach is putting the agricultural and business community in a pickle that reminds us of the Dixiecrats of yore.

A coalition of business groups will propose Kansas start a new program to help some illegal immigrants remain in the state so they can hold down jobs in agriculture and other industries with labor shortages, coalition representatives disclosed Tuesday.

Kris Kobach’s views are affecting large Kansas dairies and feedlots, too.

Here is what Ponka-We Victors communicated to Kobach.

From CJ Online:

The Legislature’s annual attempt to repeal a statute allowing in-state tuition for Kansas students without legal residency drew an emotional crowd to a House committee Wednesday.

Students who have lived in the United States most of their lives got choked up as they described the academic lifeline in-state tuition has provided to improve their lives. A counselor who works with such students in Wichita high schools shed tears as she showed legislators a scrapbook of success stories. Murmurs of unrest were heard in the gallery as one House member asked about the prevalence of illegal immigrants from gangs and drug cartels in American prisons.

But nothing drew a bigger reaction than when Rep. Ponka We-Victors, D-Wichita, wrapped up a series of questions to the bill’s chief proponent, Secretary of State Kris Kobach.

“I think it’s funny Mr. Kobach, because when you mention illegal immigrant, I think of all of you,” said Victors, the Legislature’s lone American Indian member.

The heavily pro-immigrant gallery burst into cheers and applause — a rare reaction in normally staid hearings.

Way to go, Rep. Ponka-We Victors!  For reminding people the basics of American history.

Rep. Ponka We-Victors, D-Wichita, wrapped up a series of questions to the bill’s chief proponent, Secretary of State Kris Kobach.
“I think it’s funny Mr. Kobach, because when you mention illegal immigrant, I think of all of you,” said Victors, the Legislature’s lone American Indian member.

3-13-13
For Immediate Release
info@nationaltequilapartymovement.com

Shirl Mora James, President – Civil Rights and Immigration Lawyer

Arizona Anunciar El Lanzamiento De Un CD De Música Humanitario Que Promueve La Inmigración Legal y Adquirida

Phoenix Az— Estamos muy contentos de anunciar el lanzamiento de un CD de música humanitario que promueve la inmigración legal y adquirida. Creemos en el arte y la música como un vehículo de comunicación.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow escribió: “La música es el idioma universal de la humanidad— la poesía su diversión y alegría”.

Muchos de nosotros tenemos buenos recuerdos de las palabras de las canciones de artistas como Bob Marley Guns N Roses, Led Zeppelin, Rage Against the Machine, y demás. ¿Cómo puede ser que las palabras escritas por artistas famosos como John Lennon, o Marvin Gaye en donde hablan sobre la paz o la guerra sigan vivas en los corazones de las personas tantos años después?

Hemos llegado a la conclusión de que los grandes músicos y escritores son aquellos que sus frases e ideas perduran a través del tiempo y dan la vuelta al mundo.

El Tequila CD es una colección de música y poesía creada por nuevos artistas latinos por todo EEUU.

Durante el  2011 &2012, el Movimiento Nacional del Partido del Tequila (National Tequila Party Movement) viajó a muchas ciudades y visitó a muchas escuelas en apoyo al voto latino y candidatos que se encontraban a favor de una reforma migratoria. Llevamos a cabo eventos para luchar en contra del movimiento extremista del Tea Party en Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Nevada, Texas, Florida, New York, Indiana, Michigan entre otros. En nuestro camino, los artistas nos ayudaron mucho al contar nuestra historia y nuestra causa por medio de sus canciones.

Ahora , tenemos una colección de las canciones escrito por el Movimiento.  Una porcentaje de las ventas, será destinado para ayudar a los aplicantes de DACA. Así mismo, otro porcentaje  será destinado a aquellos artistas México-americanos contribuyeron con su talento para dar vida a este importante mensaje.

Nuestro meta es comunicar a través de la música el aspecto humanitario de la inmigración. Los inmigrantes mexicanos y de otras nacionalidades no están en espera de que les sea regalado nada- están buscando un reforma migratoria legal y adquirida. Los chicanos y los ciudadanos americanos se encuentran impulsando el sueño americano, porque sabemos que cuando nuestro país continúe siendo líder y luz para el mundo, seremos bendecidos.

La música llega al alma del ser humano y crea memorias. El mundo está listo para un nuevo grupo de músicos talentosos que por medio de sus ideas y sus canciones expresan el amor a la vida y un mensaje político positivo. Aquellos músicos que se preocupan por el futuro de nuestro país deben levantar sus voces, este es el momento para que su mensaje fluya a través del tiempo y el espacio.

Se dice que el idioma español es un lenguaje de amor, y es maravilloso escuchar la fusión de la música en español y en inglés luchar en contra del odio.

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Arizona Humanitarian Concert and Music CD Launching April 5, 2013, in Support of Earned and Legal Immigration Reform

3-11-13
For Immediate Release
info@nationaltequilapartymovement.com

Shirl Mora James, President – Civil Rights and Immigration Lawyer

Phoenix, AZ — We are happy to announce the launch of a humanitarian music CD that pushes for earned and legal immigration.  We believe in communicating through art and music.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once penned: “Music is the universal language of mankind — poetry their universal pastime and delight.”  Many of us have fond memories when it comes to lyrics we identify with in songs sung by the likes of Bob Marley, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, Rage Against the Machine, Pink Floyd and so forth. How is it that a John Lennon or Marvin Gaye song has everlasting global and sustaining reach when they sing of peace or war?  We have come to the absolute conclusion that musicians and great writers are the ones who come up with memorably coined phrases and quotes leaving a lasting global ripple effect.

The Tequila CD consists of music created by new emerging Latino artists and poets across the country.  Throughout 2011 & 2012 the National Tequila Party Movement visited universities and cities in an effort to help get out the Latino vote pushing support for pro immigrant politicians.  We hosted tequila party rallies (countering the extremist tea party movement) in states such as Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Nevada, Texas, Florida, New York, Indiana, Michigan, and more.  New emerging Latino artists performed at our tequila rallies and created songs with regard to the immigration movement.

A portion of our CD sales will go to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students since they have to approximately $575.00 for documentation fees + attorney fees, and the other portion of our CD sales will go to Mexican-American artists who helped contribute their talents to this important message.

 

Our goal is to communicate through music with regard to the humanitarian aspect of immigration.  Mexicans and other immigrants are not asking for a handout – they are seeking earned legal immigration reform.  Chicanos and American citizens are here to push the American Dream, and we know that when our Nation continues to be a Beacon and a light to the Globe – blessings come our way.

The launch of our Tequila CD will take place on April 5, 2012.  We will be having a concert to promote our CD in the heart of where the draconian anti-immigrant law originated.

Date:  Friday, April 5, 2013

Time:  7:00 pm

Location:The Lot -  1005 North Second Street, Phoenix, AZ.

For more information, contact:  DeeDee Garcia Blase – (480) 200-3748

Music taps into emotions of the human spirit and it also connects it to a memory.  The world is ready for new and emerging talented lyricists and musicians who are able to express ideas that embrace love, life, and positive political messages. Musicians who have a sincere concern for the direction of our nation ought to rise up — because the time is now for their message to be received by others in the most memorable medium possible.

 

They say Spanish is the language of love and it is wonderful to hear the fusion of English and Spanish music challenging hate and bigotry.

 

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Artist of Tequila CD — El Moises of Phoenix, Arizona

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According to the L.A. Times, Arizona Lawyer –  Clint Bolick co-wrote the “Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution” book with Jeb Bush, but why does it appear the book is not in support of an earned pathway to legal citizenship?  Is this the legacy Clint Bolick wants to be part of here in Arizona?  Really, dude?  Did Bolick just go there?  The man who claims to be a Goldwater believer and who serves as director of the Goldwater Institute’s Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation in Phoenix is now on record for not being in support of a pathway to citizenship.  I shouldn’t be surprised … after all I live in the anti-immigrant arm pit of hell when SB 1070 was launched from our Wild Wild Western State of Arizona.  Whatever happened to “…Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice … that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue….”?

Why is Jeb Bush not in support of an earned pathway to citizenship reminiscent of taxation without representation policies?

More importantly, why can’t Jeb support a type of Mexican Adjustment Act that resembles the Cuban Adjustment Act?  Doesn’t Bush and Bolick know that Cuban immigrants are flowing into the United States via Mexico?

Aren’t all men created equal?

Did you know that once an immigrant from Cuba touches foot on our land — they receive tax payer monies for at LEAST one year? That’s right. Cuban Immigrants receive tax payer funded government benefits. Some Cuban immigrants receive tax payer funded government benefits for years.  I am a fan of the Cuban Adjustment Act, but I am ALSO a fan of legal immigration that will help all other immigrants, too, in the same manner. From the Irish undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts and New York,  to the Mexicans in the southwestern part of the United states … we need to fix the broken immigration system in a way that is fair and just.

Creating a class where my people pay into the federal tax revenue system — yet, not allowing them to vote is simply wrong.

At its core, the Boston Tea Party was a conflict over taxation, and you may recall to your memory and be familiar with the phrase “taxation without representation,” which developed in this era. So why would Bush support people contributing to federal taxes without the ability to have voting rights?  Unlike their British brethren, the people living in the 13 colonies did not have direct representatives in the British parliament. Because of that, the colonists had no way to vote for how they would be taxed or who would represent them. And because of this lack of representation, the British government was free to tax the colonists in any way — and for any amount — that it saw fit. With no way to fight taxation and no way to claim their rights, many colonists feared that their property could be taken away through debilitating taxes.

Here is some disturbing news from the L.A. Times:

Half a year later, the proposal, fleshed out in a newly released book, has landed in the midst of a radically changed political environment. Bush’s proposal – that illegal immigrants could become permanent legal residents, but not citizens – would have been toward the left end of Republican debate last summer. Now it is more conservative than the stance taken by several Republican senators, including Bush’s friend and Florida protege, Marco Rubio.

And Bush, who had hoped his book, “Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution,” would help set the agenda for his party, has instead spent the last two days struggling to find his footing and fending off accusations that he was undermining Senate negotiations and siding with hard-liners in the House.

“The idea of immediately giving illegal immigrants a pathway to become citizens was seen as a wildly liberal idea. A year later it strikes some as wildly conservative,” said Clint Bolick, the conservative Arizona lawyer who wrote the book with Bush. “It just shows how quickly the political terrain is shifting.” FULL STORY >>>

Two Thumbs Up for Bless Me, Ultima

By DeeDee Garcia Blase

Photo courtesy of Bless Me, Ultima

I was enthused to see the Bless Me, Ultima movie now in theaters across the Nation this past week based on a controversial novel written by Rudolfo Anaya.  I am particularly interested in how this movie does at the box office in light of several recent studies that show Latino audiences buying a lot of movie tickets.  In 2010, Nielsen reported that 43 million Latinos bought 351 million movie tickets — an increase from the 37 million that bought 300 million tickets in 2009.

The Bless Me, Ultima movie was especially endearing to me, and it has a quality of familiarity to the Mexican-American (Chicano) because most of us can relate to Healers in our own families.  How many of us remember the El Ojo (Evil Eye)  egg being applied to us when we were sick as little children? How many of us remember our abuelitas or grandmothers showing us the importance of plants, vegetables, flowers, and herbs to make healing teas – and explaining to us how nature takes care of human beings?

This movie depicted Ultima – the character of a grandmother who was a curandera healer and the special  relationship she had

Photo Courtesy of Bless Me, Ultima

with her grandchild.  The bond and love expressed in this film was extremely moving.  As a woman, I especially enjoyed how the director showed the  strong matriarch role of love yet fearless strength a woman can bring to her grandchildren. Although this movie was a drama based on a controversial war, we were able to enjoy the subtle humor Mexicans can identify with.  For instance, a touching scene involved a poor boy getting laughed at in the school classroom because his family could not afford a lunch box, and it was engaging to see him joining the other group of kids outside who had similar coffee cans used to hold their lunches, too.  There was no doubt they were laughed out of their classrooms, too, and the movie director had a way with showing us the little boy was not alone.

Some people believe curanderas are evil when in all actuality they have similar qualities to the Native American medicine man. The indigenous curanderas merely use holistic herbs from Mother Earth with the intent of restoring balance the healer draws from her own unique set of skills, wisdom and life experiences.   She is often misunderstood.

A moment of sadness swept over me when the little boy was ridiculed on the school playground because his grandmother was accused of being a bruja or a witch.   More sadness was evoked learning how the community would secretly go to the curandera healer for help but would not acknowledge her in public because of their fear of ostracism.   It reminds us how our fellow man continues to shun or put down those who are often misunderstood today.

All things considered, I give this movie two thumbs up.  The director via Carl Franklin was able to masterfully give Latinos a connection by incorporating Spanglish into the film, and this is important to us because some of us do not speak fluent Spanish in light of strong English assimilation that occurred when our parents were punished by nuns in Catholic schools for speaking Spanish.

We do want to hold on to tradition, and we are proud of our heritage.  We want to pass on the gold nuggets of our culture to our children in an English society – and although we love and adore American tradition, we believe we can adore and embrace multi-culturalism, too.

Con Safos

c/s

We won’t allow the Benito Juarez Squadron to disappear into history with the likes of Elaine Ayala and Valerie Martinez.

Benito Juárez Squadron women described as “pretty San Antonians” and “proverbial bees as they work for victory”: Doris V. Gillis, (from left) Manuela Martinez, Lenore Martinez, Mercedes Ledesma, Minnie Villarreal and Faustina Hernandez. Photo: San Antonio Express File Photo

Very grateful Martinez dug a little deeper with regard to the Benito Juarez Squadron.

Ayala: Benito Juárez Squadron might disappear into history