|
Resolution
U.S. ARMY DISCRIMINATORY SEARCH OF NEW MEXICO
NATIONAL GUARDSMAN FIGHTING IN IRAQ
WHEREAS, In May of 2006 at a
base in Kuwait, 60 members of a New Mexico
National Guard unit were ordered to remove their
shoes, socks and shirts in order that military
investigators check for Gang Tattoos; and
WHEREAS, members of the Rio
Rancho New Mexico based Task Force Cobra were
searched with alleged racial profiling and
discrimination due to the large number of
Hispanics; and
WHEREAS, a New Mexico soldier
said in regards to the search, “…that I didn’t
feel like an American today.” Another soldier
said, “It reminds him of a similar incident that
occurred when he was younger because he was
Hispanic;” and
WHEREAS, on May 26, 2006,
Agent Paul McGuire with the Army Criminal
Investigation Command conducted the check at the
Ali Al Salem base in Kuwait, was confronted
about his expertise in identifying gang tattoos
when he was informed by a lieutenant with the
Task Force Cobra that the platoon’s sergeants
were in law enforcement and would know of gang
activities; and
WHEREAS, McGuire said, “During
the viewing, there was high tension among the
troops who related that they felt as though they
were being picked on…because they were Hispanic
and National Guard;” and
WHEREAS, six of the
fifty-eight soldiers initially refused to be
searched but complied after being threatened
with arrest and charges by the investigating
agent; and
WHEREAS, Commander, Capt. Ivan
Forrest Salkin, ordered that there would be no
more checks until the agent produced a search
warrant. He also added that he had no idea that
the tattoo check was an issue with his soldiers.
He objected to his solders being threatened with
the arrest for refusing to comply; and
WHEREAS, the checking and
discriminatory search was based on an
uncorroborated allegation made by a Wisconsin
soldier that the Task Force Cobra was rife with
gang members; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico League of
United Latin American Citizens State Director,
Paul Martinez said, “Racial profiling is
reprehensible and should not be tolerated in the
U.S. Armed Forces,”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, the New Mexico League of United Latin
American Citizens demand a congressional
investigation on the alleged discriminatory and
profiled search of Hispanic military soldiers
serving in Iraq by the U.S. Army,
THEREFORE LET IT BE FURTHER
RESOLVED THAT, the U.S. Army present personnel
apologizes to each and every soldier searched
for tattoos,
THEREFORE LET IT BE FURTHER
RESOLVED THAT, the U.S. Army not retaliate
against military personnel who protested the
search and check of the New Mexico National
Guard for gang tattoos.
Approved this 14th day of July
2007.
Rosa Rosales
LULAC National President |
