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Resolution
Against non-governmental,
private citizen vigilantes
Whereas,
the League of United Latin American Citizens is
this nation’s oldest and largest Latino
organization, founded in Corpus Christi, Texas
on February 24, 1929; and
Whereas,
LULAC throughout its history has committed
itself to the principle that Latino have equal
access to opportunities in employment,
education, housing, and healthcare; and
Whereas,
LULAC
has supported the principles of equal
opportunities for economic development,
political influence, civil rights and the
general welfare for all Latinos in the United
States; and
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, the 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 the VAM true aim which
is publicity stunt for their own personal gain;
and
Whereas, the VAM is taken the
law into their own hands and creating fear and
intimidation of local residents and migrants;
and
Whereas, the VAM motives
appear to be racially motivated and serve no
purpose but to disrupt the efforts of legitimate
taw enforcement and immigration staff that now
must be concerned about the intervention of
activities of the VAM;
NOW
Therefore, Be It Resolved, that
we are demanding the VAM leave the area and not
further intervene in the legitimate and trained
law enforcement and immigration officials;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
that the VAM be exposed for what it is a racist,
publicity seeking, armed vigilante mob praying
on the misfortune of migrants and other area
minority residents; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
that the VAM take their three ring circus and
leave the area as reported in the Arizona Daily
Star newspaper; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
that the Cochise County Attorney office
investigate the “T” shirt publicity stunt
conducted by Brian Barton congressional
candidate from S.D. California; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
that the activities of VAM organized by Chris
Simox and James Gilchrist be closely monitored
for violations of unauthorized trespassing on
state and private property; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
to investigate violations of the civil rights of
Hispanic Americans residents being harassed, as
well as violations of international law of the
migrants; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
that President Bush address the border issues
raised by LULAC and other Border Area Civil
Rights organizations such as the Border Action
Network; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
that the President Bush administration work with
border area organizations to find a solution to
chronic issues on the border; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
that the Bush Administration put on the fast
track immigration reform that fully addresses
the issues of both Mexico and the United States;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
that 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 (Terri Schiavo’s case); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
request that the Attorney General of Arizona and
the US Attorney General investigate the
backgrounds and financial sources behind the so
called armed militia group; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
to initiate legal action and criminal
proceedings be taken against the illegal acts
undertaken by the armed militia; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
a National Forum to be held in Tucson, Arizona
regarding the Armed Militia immigration and
critical border issues.
Adopted this 2nd day of July
2005.
Hector M. Flores
LULAC National President |
