After Fatal Beating, Racial Tension, and Police Corruption, Shenandoah Inches toward Justice

by: kesquivel@nclr.org

Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 23:00:00 PM EST

Three federal indictments that include commission of a hate crime, obstruction of justice, conspiracy, official misconduct, and extortion have been recently handed down by a federal grand jury in the case of the fatal beating of Luis Ramirez.  On July 12, 2008, Ramirez was beaten to death when his alleged assailants attacked him in the street on their way home from a town festival, kicking and hitting him while members of the group yelled racial slurs.  Ramirez died from the injuries he sustained in that hateful attack, leaving behind his partner and their two children, whose interests the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) represented in court soon thereafter.  

In spite of the horrific details of the crime, damning evidence, and a number of serious criminal charges, the state trial released the defendants with little more than a slap on the wrist.  This was not a trial for a petty infraction mind you, but rather a case whose outcome should have found justice for a man's death and for his surviving family.  Therefore, MALDEF called upon the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the fatal beating and the accounts of police misconduct that were brought forth in testimony at the trial.

The indictments, just unsealed yesterday after being returned on December 10, 2009, allege that Derrick Donchak and Brandon Piekarsky--the primary defendants in the murder trial--and others, including some members of the Shenandoah Police Department, conspired to obstruct the investigation of Ramirez's murder.  An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt, so justice still has yet to be served.  

Workers held by Pirates need your help!

by: dengre

Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 23:25:43 PM EDT

Over four months ago the MV Irene, an oil tanker registered to a Greek shipping firm was hijacked by Somali Pirates. Here is a recently released photo of the crew with some of the pirates:

Time is running out for this crew. There are very real concerns for their safety. A petition has been started calling on quite a number of groups to take action to secure the safe release of the crew. Please take a moment and sign this petition, become a fan of the Liberate Pirate Hostages Facebook page and encourage others to do the same. Without your help the world will forget about these hostages and we should not forget about these workers.

Join me on the jump to learn more...

Torture: "These Weren't the Kind of Men You Send to Jail"

by: Nightprowlkitty

Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 10:37:43 AM EDT

Today is Torture Accountabilty Day.  There will be events across the country, American citizens making the case that those who committed the moral crime against humanity of torture be held accountable for their actions.

Holding those in the highest positions of power to the law, what a notion.  We know the politics that prevents this, the powers who want these crimes once again swept under the rug.

We heard on Monday from the Supreme Court that Valerie Plame's suit against Cheney, et al., will not be allowed to go forward.  Scooter Libby was found guilty of obstruction of justice.  Mister Bush commuted his sentence.  And surprise, surprise, there now is no case, even as we all know what happened.  There is no accountability.

Hate Crime Laws May Make Us Feel Good Pero They Won't Save Our Lives

by: MamitaMala

Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 10:29:22 AM EDT

Cross-posted from VivirLatino

I think I have had to write this over and over many times, every time there is a hate crime against a Latino pero it is worthy of repeating.

Defining what makes a hate crime is a political act. The reason I write this is that I am reading many media reports and blogs that keep referring to the shooting at the Holocaust Museum as a hate crime but not that many referring to the murders of Brisenia Flores and her father as a hate crime. On a legislative level, states each have their own hate crime statutes that aren't consistent with each other so what may be a hate crime in one state may not be in another. Often the definition of a hate crime is hinged on the use of an epithet or slur, not the history of the community where it happened. This is why some advocates have been pushing for Federal hate crimes legislation, that would create one standard that would be followed across state lines and these moves make people feel good, offer a sense of protection, except they are only good once there is a victim.

U.S. Reps. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Steve Israel (D-NY) and José E. Serrano (D-NY) announced the introduction of the National Hate Crimes Hotline Act of 2009. "Far too many victims silently bear the burden of the crimes committed against them, which is why we are taking steps to provide a place for them to be heard. A National Hate Crimes Hotline would allow New Yorkers and victims across the country to safely report to the police and find vital assistance. In addition, accurate reporting will improve local responsiveness, increase prevention efforts and help bring an end to these heinous acts," said Rep. Velázquez.

Marching Toward Justice! Immigration NewsLadder

by: The Media Consortium

Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 18:50:39 PM EST

 

By Nezua Media Consortium Blogger  

Welcome to the new White House administration, in which we move forward with purpose. On President Obama's very first day in office, immigrants and allies marched on ICE headquarters to signify their for change. Racewire reports that yesterday, "hundreds gathered in DC, a day after inaugurating our new president, to demand A New Day for Immigration." George W. Bush waved goodbye by commuting the sentences of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean,two former border guards who shot a man trying to escape arrest and then tried to cover their deed up. Bush claimed Ramos and Compean had "suffered enough" after serving a fifth of their sentence and set them free, though he did not pardon them. Air America reports on the controversial decision in Bush Commutes Border Agent Sentences (video).

United Farm Workers Calls for Manslaughter Charges Against Company in Death of 17 Year Old

by: TomP

Wed Jul 30, 2008 at 21:28:34 PM EDT

I've written in the past about the preventable death of Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez and her unborn child.  California's Occupational Safety and Health Agency recently issued a $262,700 fine against the Central Valley farm labor contracting company that employed Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez, the 17-year old farm worker who died of heat stroke because of the company's negligence in following the law.  That's not enough. United Farm Workers President, Arturo S. Rodriguez, thinks criminal prosecution is the only way to deter companies so that no more will die:

"This is a case of manslaughter - there is no difference between a driver killing someone while breaking our traffic laws and a labor contractor breaking the law and killing this beautiful young woman. Anything less than criminal prosecution is a desecration of Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez' death."

UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez

More, after the fold.