Illegals-advocate group to stalk Minutemen kids

WorldNetDaily ^ | February 25, 2006

[Man50D]

A Maryland organization that runs four government-funded day-labor hiring centers is training volunteer "legal observers" to videotape members of the Minuteman border security group and to picket their homes, places of work and their children's schools.

"We are going to target them in a specific way," Gustavo Torres, executive director of Casa de Maryland told the Maryland Gazette, speaking of the Minutemen volunteers who have set up a surveillance site across the street to discreetly photograph contractors who pick up day laborers at the center.

Going out with their own cameras will only be the first step his group takes.

"Then we are going to picket their houses, and the schools of their kids, and go to their work," Torres said. "If they are going to do this to us, we are going to respond in the same way, to let people know their neighbors are extremists, that they are anti-immigrant. They are going to hear from us."

The Minuteman Project's "covert" campaign to monitor day labor centers has been in operation for a little over a week. The group, which started with much-publicized efforts to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border and report sightings of illegal aliens to the Border Patrol, has turned its attention to the employers who hire undocumented workers.

"From a national standpoint, we want to close the border down and stop the flow of illegals," said Stephen Schreiman, president of a newly formed Maryland chapter. "We want to do the same thing here, but our approach will be a little different. What we want to do is to basically discourage contractors and businesses from hiring illegals. It's against federal law.

"We're going to go after these [contractors] at the state and local level because these people aren't paying taxes. We're going to take these people and through a vetting process determine which ones are not paying their taxes and doing business in an inappropriate manner and then turn them over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution. That should put a damper on the hiring of illegals."

The most recent annual report for Casa de Maryland, a non-profit, shows $2,771,615 in income for 2004-2005, of which 51 percent was provided by various government agencies. According to its website, the organization's employment program provides day-labor placement for "low-income Latino and African immigrants ... as employers seek to replace permanent workers." "We never ask for documentation," Torres told the New York Times in December. "Our mission is to help anyone in need of service, regardless of their immigration status. We are proud of that."

Casa's operation has not only been blessed by government funding but it has the support of the local business community.

"In this area, the commercial sector hasn't been harmed in the sense of people being deprived from work because of the day laborers being here," said Erwin Mack, executive director of the Takoma⁄Langley Crossroads Development Authority. "Consequently, while there are issues with their right to be in the United States, that's not what we're concerned about. We're concerned that they wait in an area that doesn't hurt our commercial properties.'

That's not good enough for Minuteman's Schreiman who intends to pursue his effort to inform the authorities about unlawful activity and have the law enforced.

And Schreiman's commitment to stay within the law – and the fact there have been no complaints filed with the police over the Minuteman surveillance – isn't good enough for Casa's Torres, who told a Spanish-language newspaper it would be better if the Minutemen did not interfere with Casa. But it is Torres threat to recruit individuals to picket Minuteman members' children at school that has the greatest likelihood to escalate the tense, but so-far peaceful, situation.

"Threatening children like this is outrageous," said Minuteman Civil Defense Corps President Chris Simcox. "Casa de Maryland's funding should be pulled and its contracts cancelled. It is beyond belief that taxpayer dollars are funding this thuggish behavior."

The Maryland Minutemen have their work cut out for them. Takoma Park, site of the Casa day-labor center they've been monitoring, has declared itself a Sanctuary City and prohibits its employees, including police, from arresting illegal aliens or assisting federal immigration authorities.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

to let people know their neighbors are extremists


Does this person not realize that a lot of Americans share the same idea that illegal immigration should not be allowed? I don't believe it is extremism at all.

[Ed_in_NJ]

Sounds like Gustavo should be shipped back to Vicente-land, or arrested for aiding and abetting criminals.

[D.P.Roberts]

This shows how the rules are changing, with first muslims and now hispanics specifically targeting the children of their enemies. The next war will be fought with an inhumanity that will make the "total war" concept of WWII look like an engagement at dawn between gentlemen.

[Galveston Grl]

This is going to backfire on these illegal, American hating racists. Usually, Americans do not hate themselves and each other like they do in left wing circles. This idiot does not understand this; but then he is a foreigner who has proudly stayed on the outskirts of America. As they esclate a showing of their hatred of Americans, they are going strengthen the cause of the Minutemen.

[DumpsterDiver]

Sounds like Gustavo should be shipped back to Vicente-land, or arrested for aiding and abetting criminals.

There was another thread about this and this post has more information about Gustavo Torres.

[RoadTest]

The Minutemen ar NOT anti-immigrant. They are pro law!

Deport these bastards threatening their families.

[chris1]

No it won't, Fox's maid told us all that we should welcome these people and that family values runs north on the Rio Grande.

What a joke we have become.

[stuckinloozeeana]

time to call in smith & wesson

[patj]

It sure looks like they are using the Muslim "fear" tactics. And then there's this:has declared itself a Sanctuary City and prohibits its employees, including police, from arresting illegal aliens or assisting federal immigration authorities.

Exactly how does one go about declaring oneself a "sanctuary" and keeping the police out? This would seem to be quite useful to a lot of criminal types.

[Capriole]

"In this area, the commercial sector hasn't been harmed in the sense of people being deprived from work because of the day laborers being here," said Erwin Mack, executive director of the Takoma⁄Langley Crossroads Development Authority.

Oh, please. There are plenty of Americans in this area who used to be able to earn a living in construction and can no longer do so because of the illegals.

Casa de Maryland is a destructive force and needs to be defunded.

[Flyer]

Bring it on!

[Lewite]

It looks like the majority of eight to twelve year olds that are raped, are by illegals. I believe they have already started a war against our children. We just are unable to stand up against them at this time. We have more to lose than they do.

[kcvl]

Gustavo Torres, executive director of Casa de Maryland, speaks to workers gathered for Monday's opening of the Wheaton day laborer office.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2005/09/28/PH2005092801289.html



Mission

CASA of Maryland's mission is to improve the quality of life, social and economic well being of the Latino community at local, regional and national levels. Founded in 1985 in Takoma Park, Maryland by Central American refugees and their North American allies, CASA has grown from several volunteers to a staff of 45 with a $3.9 million operating budget.


Program / Activities (NTEE Code)

Minority Rights
Adult, Continuing Education
Legal Services



Chief Executive Profile

Mr. Torres is a nationally recognized advocate for immigrants and workers. Since 1994, Mr. Torres has served as the Executive Director of CASA of Maryland, Inc.. Under his leadership, CASA has grown into a nationally recognized multi-service Latino advocacy and support agency. Mr. Torres also served as the founding president of the Maryland Latino Coalition for Justice, a statewide grassroots lobbying organization. In December 2001 Mr. Torres received the Ford Foundation's prestigious "Leadership for a Changing World," which honored 12 grassroots leaders nationwide. This award is akin to the McArthur Genius Awards and it honors grassroots leaders. In 2002, Mr. Torres was named one of 15 Washingtonians of the Year by the Washingtonian Magazine.

Additional Comments

In 2004, CASA was named the National Council of La Raza Affiliate of the Year, which recognizes one out of over 300 affiliates for their exemplary work in serving the Hispanic community. In addition, in December 2004, in collaboration with the Homeless Person's Representation Project, CASA produced the Baltimore Day Laborer Report, which described the challenges faced by Baltimore's day laborer population, and which led to legislation introduced by City Council President Sheila Dixon and passed unanimously by the Baltimore City Council supporting the establishment of a Center for day workers in Baltimore.



******


Casa of Maryland employees and members of the Communications Workers of America came to an agreement Thursday on a union contract that would ensure Casa employees a minimum salary of $30,000 a year.


‘‘The reality is we have been training and hiring people that have community organizing expertise,” Torres said. Unionizing, he said, was a natural move for them and provides Casa with the opportunity to work with CWA to work on political issues as well as internal matters.

‘‘We share the mission of Casa,” Collins (Ron Collins, a negotiator for CWA’s District 2) said, adding that Casa pushes for the rights of area workers — many of them day laborers and domestic workers — to receive decent wages.

[kcvl]

CASA's next steps are to increase the community's ownership by becoming a membership organization and to add a credit union with financial services, says Torres.


CASA of Maryland is a community organization that was founded in 1985 by Central American refugees and North Americans. CASA was created in response to the human needs of the thousands of Central Americans arriving to the D.C. area after fleeing wars and civil strife in their countries of origin.



http://tinyurl.com/m49p4


******

I wonder why they can't find anyone to fill these positions?!



Employment Opportunities at CASA!


Employment Opportunities

Business Manager

Day-Laborer Organizer

Worker's Rights Attorney - Baltimore

Tenant's Rights Attorney

Senior Manager for Employment Services

Community Organizer

Employment Specialist - Baltimore

Chief of Finance and Administration

Technology/Database Manager

HIV Prevention Specialist

Pine Ridge Coordinator



Internships

Intake Volunteer Position


http://www.casademaryland.org/jobs.htm

[kcvl]

Gustavo Torres
Executive Director of CASA de Maryland

"We also work closely with Justice for Janitors to help workers organize themselves and improve their workplace conditions through collective bargaining."

For two decades, SEIU’s Justice for Janitors movement has helped low-wage workers achieve social and economic justice.

This effort has capped off one of the largest successful organizing drives ever by private-sector workers in the Southern half of the United States.

SEIU - Service Employees International Union®, CLC

[Calpernia]

Ping!

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Closer ever closer comes the Social War.

[kcvl]

Torres told the New York Times in December. "Our mission is to help anyone in need of service, regardless of their immigration status. We are proud of that."

In other words, we don't care about your laws. We will do as we damn well please and no one is going to stop us.

[Dick Vomer]

mess with me.... I'm upset....

mess with my kids... u will rejoin the carbon cycle...... quickly..

these guys are now officially invading our country. Notice these "activist" are doing this in Democratically controlled Maryland.... I'd love for them to try this in Texas... just once.

Most of my friends and family of Mexican decent do not support illegal aliens. Legal immigration, job sponsorship yes.... sit on your rear, get welfare, send everything to Mexico, refuse to join the Armed Forces.... NO. Our country is about opportunity, illegal immigration is a god send to the socialists and democratic thug machine. It's the mob, you've done something illegal..now they've got the "goods" on you...so you better vote the right way and pay the "patron" or back you go.

Mexicans in Texas are different than in Cali... the "Hispanic" tag is such a crock. You've got rabid anticommunists Cuban, city dwelling Puerto Ricans, jungle/agricultural South and Central Americans, ..the whole gamut.

The big problem is not immigration but assimilation. The same thing that the Irish, Italian, Germans, Poles, Jews etc... did. First generation works 12-16 hour days at low wages..cops, assembly, domestic housework, agricultural jobs, etc....,

so the second generation goes to college or joins the armed forces,

then the third generation is pulled up by the examples of college or service, then your family is fully invested in society.... at least that's how some of the Mexicans did it....

others have been in Texas since about 1700 or so as farmers, businessmen etc....and have family that have fought and died for this country...in a gang that's called "blood in". The Romans did the same thing... own property or fight for the Empire to "earn" citizenship. good premise I think.