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Resolution
ANTI-VOLUNTEER ARMED MILITIA
WhereaS, the League of United
Latin American Citizens is this nation’s oldest
and largest Latino organization, founded in
Corpus Christi, Texas February 24, 1929; and
WhereaS,
LULAC throughout its history has committed
itself to the principle that Latinos have equal
access to opportunities in employment,
education, housing, and healthcare; and
WhereaS,
LULAC as supported the principles of equal
opportunities for economic development,
political influence, civil rights and the
general welfare for all Latinos in the United
States.
WhereaS,
the Volunteer Armed Militia (VAM) has
established themselves as a private vigilante
group in Southern Arizona’s Border Region; and
WhereaS,
the VAM has used armed force upon unarmed
migrants crossing the border and detaining them
against their will; and
WhereaS,
members of the VAM have detained migrants and
humiliated them by photographing them holding
t-shirts stating, “all I got for grabbing a
migrant was a ‘T’ Shirt,” demonstrating VAM’s
true aim to conduct a publicity stunt for their
own personal gain; and
WhereaS,
the VAM is taking the law into its own hands and
creating fear and intimidation of local
residents and migrants; and
WhereaS,
VAM’s motives appear to be racially motivated
and serve no purpose, but to disrupt the efforts
of legitimate law enforcement and immigration
staff that now must be concerned about the
intervention of the activities of the VAM.
THEREFORE,
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We are demanding the VAM
leave the area and not further intervene
with legitimate and trained law enforcement
and immigration officials.
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That the VAM be exposed
for what it is; a racists,
publicity-seeking, armed vigilante body
preying on the misfortune of migrants and
other area minority residents.
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That the VAM take their
“three ring circus” and leave the area as
reported in the Arizona Daily Star
newspaper.
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That the Cochise County
Attorney office investigate the “T” shirt
publicity stunt conducted by Bryan Barton
congressional candidate from San Diego,
California.
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That the activities of VAM
organized by Chris Simcox and James
Gilchrist be closely monitored for
violations of unauthorized trespassing on
state and private property.
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Investigate violations of
the civil rights of Hispanic American
residents being harassed, as well as,
violations of international law on the
migrants.
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That President Bush
address the border issues raised by LULAC
and other Border Area Civil Rights
administration and work with the border area
organizations to find a solution to chronic
issues on the border.
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The Bush administration
put on the fast track immigration reform
that fully addresses the issues of both
Mexico and the United States.
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The Congress of the United
States stop stalling in the immigration
reform and put it on the same level of
priority as the life support issue in
Florida (the Terri Schiavo case).
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Request that the attorney
General of Arizona and the U.S. Attorney
General investigate the backgrounds and
financial sources behind the “armed militia
group.”
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Initiate legal action and
criminal proceedings against illegal acts
undertaken by the armed militia.
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A national forum be held
in Tucson, Arizona, regarding the armed
militia, immigration, and critical border
issues.
Adopted this 1st day of July
2006.
Rosa Rosales
LULAC National President |
