Last Thursday, a small group of activists protested outside Hermandad Nacional Mexicana HQ to call attention to Nativo Lopez making common cause with cock-fighting organizations. The other day, I received an e-mail from the ringleader describing their Thursday with Nativo.
October 6, 2005, activists rallied outside of Nativo Lopez's Santa Ana office, to protest his opposition to Nell Soto's Senate Bill 156 (read the bill at the end of this email)*. This legislation would make repeat cockfighting offenses punishable as a felony:
OUR MEETING WITH NATIVO LOPEZ
NATIVO LOPEZ IS PRESIDENT of the Mexican American Political Association and a leading force behind Hermandad Mexicana Nacional (Mexican National Brotherhood), a tax-exempt non-profit organization.
I am going to start this report at the end of the protest.
After the protest, three of us visited the Hermandad Mexicana Nacional office and requested a meeting with Nativo Lopez. After a wait, Nativo Lopez met with us.
I am going to start this report at the end of the protest.
After the protest, three of us visited the Hermandad Mexicana Nacional office and requested a meeting with Nativo Lopez. After a wait, Nativo Lopez met with us.
Above, I am holding a bag, available in the reception area. Bags are provided so you can fill them with the free literature available. Here are some samples of the literature in my bag:
*Buy your home with Hermandad Mexicana Nacional - we can show you government programs available
*Free consultation with Attorney Araujo - to receive maximum compensation possible for auto, work or personal injuries
*If you need a better job - a brochure on how to get one - with federal funding
There was a sign located throughout the reception area, you can see it above my right shoulder, which states in Spanish: "Governor Schwarzenegger I Want My Driver's License" - with the Virgin of Guadalupe on the sign.
After a wait, Nativo Lopez entered the reception area and invited us outside to a patio table to talk with him. The receptionist had told him we were part of the protest.
Nativo Lopez said we were "misinformed" about his stance on cockfighting.
And then he stated his organization's concern is for the those who die crossing into the United States. He said one person dies each day - that was his focus, not cockfighting.
I stated President Fox and the corrupt Mexican government are to blame for those individuals' deaths NOT the U.S.
Lopez went on to state that "80 percent of the people in the prison system are either African American or Hispanic." He said this is because of racial profiling.
I said to Lopez, "Aren't they in prison because they committed crimes?"
He answered, "No." And said it is due to racial profiling.
Instead of passing out fliers, above, is an example of the roosters that were passed out to the public during the protest. The tag reads, "Please don't kill me! Stop the cockfighting!" We presented one of the roosters to Nativo Lopez.
Nativo Lopez went on to state that the three strikes law is designed to target minorities.
He said his organization is against cockfighting BUT that he doesn't support Nell Soto's SB 156 because he does not think participation in cockfighting should be a felony offense.
When Donna and I stated that laws should be upheld, Nativo Lopez stated, "Some people don't know cockfighting is against the law."
I said, "That's probably because they are in our country illegally." To which Nativo Lopez replied that I was "racial profiling."
Nativo Lopez said funding should be available to educate the public about cockfighting being illegal.
"A person could just be walking by (a cockfight) and be arrested on a felony charge, when he is not even a spectator, under this law," Lopez said.
Lopez asked us, "And who will do the labor? Will you pick grapes?" Donna and I both pointed out we did menial labor as teens. As a matter of fact, Donna said as a teen she did pick crops.
Then Lopez stated as "white women" we would have employed nannies, gardeners, people to wash our cars, work at restaurants, etc. That those who employ illegal border crossers enjoy the benefit of the labor.
I told Nativo Lopez that I agreed with him - employers exploit the labor force BUT I told him I only hire American citizens, wash my own car, watched my own child, etc.
Above, one of our protesters, Nativo Lopez and Robin.
Nativo Lopez stated there is no such thing as an illegal human being. We stated that people should enter out country legally and uphold our laws.