Under Arpaio Documentary Film

The Strength of Atlanta

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:27:16 +0000

Banner from GLAHR- Photo by Diane Ovalle

This past December our trip in the south included a screening in Atlanta, Georgia. A place where they also experience similar Arizona “SB1070-style” hate laws like HB87 and suffer under 287g immigration enforcement programs. It was familiar territory for us when visiting people in Atlanta as we heard stories of racial profiling, abuse by county sheriff deputies, and a rise in resentment toward Latino residents. However, these challenges have not defeated the community there and that was most evident when we met up with the organization GLAHR- Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights in Atlanta. http://www.glahr.org/

Comités de Defensa del Barrio training books- Photo by Diane Ovalle

The screening that night was graciously hosted by GLAHR and we learned much about the important work they do. They have built a solid connection with migrant communities and effected areas in Atlanta and in rural Georgia that face racial profiling and intimidation. Their work has helped organize their own version of Comités de Defensa del Barrios in various areas around the city and in farming communities, and also organizing abuse documentation to help these communities advocate for their human and worker rights. On our visit there we were fortunate to be present for the first day of their brand new radio station 1310 AM in Atlanta that went live on air and promoted the Under Arpaio screening later that evening.

Diane Ovalle on GLAHR Radio interview- Photo by Barni Axmed Qaasim

Throughout our visit it was clear that the fight in Arizona goes beyond state lines and into places like Atlanta. Audience members were energized about continuing to take on their own community challenges after seeing the film and hearing about experiences in Arizona from Puente Movement organizer, Diane Ovalle. It was on that day that the Department of Homeland Security terminated the 287g agreement with Sheriff Arpaio. A moment we were able to share with enthusiasm among our new friends and allies, but also and opportunity to learn about the next steps ahead for people in Arizona to continue to work toward the end 287g, Secure Communities, and senseless separation of families all over the country. New alliances were built that day. We were even more committed to make sure that Under Arpaio could be a resource for effected communities all over. A way to come together and join in a movement that respects humanity and ends injustices under U.S. immigration enforcement policy everywhere.

The People of Alabama Are United ~ HB56 is Divided

admin — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:39:33 +0000

Birmingham, AL

The Latino community in Birmingham, AL is strong - Photo by Diane Ovalle

The People we met on the streets and in the community here in Birmingham have had an overwhelming negative reaction to HB56, Alabama’s new anti-migrant law. Alabama has a reputation of racism and intolerance, but the residents we met have been open-minded and on the side of justice. Certainly intolerance exists in Alabama. There are definitely supporters of the Alabama hate law, but it was exciting to see such a consistent stance of unity with Alabama residents. Sheriff Arpaio has managed to overshadow the People of Arizona in the media so that the world only sees the racists and not the resistance. It’s the same for Governor Bentley and HB56 who have also masked an important reality in Alabama- the People against this law are united.

Arizona organizer, Sandra Castro, has been working in Alabama and she has a more thorough perspective from her blog which is very inspiring. http://bit.ly/u3WlCJ

The Civil Rights Movement legacy is alive in Alabama.-Photo by Diane Ovalle

We took Under Arpaio to Alabama to uplift the voices of those in Arizona fighting against racist immigration policy. Sandra and Diane Ovalle, Puente Movement Organizers, came to the screening of Under Arpaio at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Birmingham. The free community screening brought organizers in the migrant community, Black and white residents, and people of all faiths. The discussion we had impacted people in the audience who shared their thoughts and questions about Arizona. They shared stories and helpful tips toward creating a community organized and ready defend each others’ human rights. A touching part of the night was when community organizer, Brigidio, asked to host local screenings of the Spanish version of Under Arpaio in his community in Tuscaloosa.

Occupy Birmingham - Photo by Diane Ovalle

We were lucky to meet with organizers and community members across the city. We sat down with Sana, a Palestinian mother who was detained by I.C.E. and William Anderson of UAB who organized an Occupy Birmingham march at the Etowah County ICE Detention Center. The overall message we came away with from people at the screening and people we visited in person was that Birmingham is a community ready to defend one another against the injustice of HB56 and Secure Communities. A people united can never be divided.

We will share video and stories of those in Alabama very soon.

This post was a collaboration between J.M. Aragón- Director/Producer, Barni Qaasim- Asociate Prodcuer, Diane Ovalle- Puente Movement organizer/Photgrapher, and Sandra Castro- Puente Movement organizer

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAYS ARPAIO VIOLATED CIVIL RIGHTS

admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:19:00 +0000

Today the Department of Justice released a report from the first of a two part investigation on Sheriff Arpaio. In it they find Arpaio and his department in violation of Civil rights. You can read the report here. http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/spl/mcso.php
From the Asscoiated Press

The National Day Laborer Organizing Network also put out a statement calling for an end to the DHS collaboration programs that put Sheriff Arpaio into immigration enforcement.

Statement below:

NDLON Responds to DOJ Report, Calls for Severing of DHS Ties to Sheriff Arpaio
DOJ Report Serves as Indictment of Local Immigration Enforcement Programs that Created Constitutional Crisis in Maricopa County

Today the Department of Justice concluded its three year investigation into civil rights violations in the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. In response to the detailed report, Pablo Alvarado of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network issued the following response:

“The Department of Justice report formally and forcefully describes a civil and human rights crisis in Maricopa County; one that has moved hundreds of thousands to demonstrate around the globe over the past several years.

It is a ringing indictment of a Sheriff’s office that has ‘treated all Latinos as if they were undocumented’ and the federal immigration contracts that have made such prejudice possible. It is the most detailed chronicle of the failed end result of the federal programs that make monsters out of local law enforcement.

We have waited three years for federal intervention to restore justice in Maricopa County. Now that the Department of Justice has outlined the symptoms, it is time for the Department of Homeland security to terminate its immigration contracts with the Sheriff as a first step toward a cure.”

The Department of Justice report outlines years of biased policing that created “a chronic culture of disregard for basic legal and constitutional obligations (page 2).”

UNDER ARPAIO Grassroots Tours in Alabama and Georgia

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:42:56 +0000

UNDER ARPAIO Grassroots Tours in Alabama and Georgia December 13 and 15

Admission is Free

Tuesday, December 13, 7 p.m.
Birmingham, Alabama
Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham
4300 Hampton Heights Drive

Thursday, December 15, 7 p.m.
Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights
4200 Perimeter Park South Suite #103

Come to the FREE preview screening of the documentary UNDER ARPAIO showing on December 13 in Birmingham, Alabama and December 15 in Atlanta, Georgia. These screenings are part of the grassroots tour presented by Pan Left Productions with support from the artist group CultureStrike and community donors all over the U.S. This tour is a part of a concentrated effort by the producers of the film and their allies to show other communities in struggle who are effected by police abuse and the current rise in anti-immigrant laws like SB1070, HB56, and HB87. A longer version of the film called the “working cut” will be presented to audiences and followed by discussion with producer/director J.M. Aragón and organizers from the Puente movement in Phoenix, Sandra Castro and Diane Ovalle, who are also featured in the film.

Arizona’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio is world renowned as the self-proclaimed “Toughest Sheriff in America”. Infamous in the media are his antics of forcing inmates to wear pink underwear, work on chain gangs and live in tents. What is less known are people’s stories of how their communities and lives are affected by the laws, tactics and policies used by the Sheriff—laws, tactics and policies that are currently being replicated in states outside of Arizona.

This documentary shows people in the Phoenix area rarely seen in the national spotlight, yet who are on the front lines as Arpaio continues to conduct raids on migrant and Latino neighborhoods, ignore inhumane jail conditions, and waste hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer money by using the Sheriff’s office to intimidate local elected officials and activists and through numerous civil rights lawsuits. Under Arpaio features activists, low-income residents, attorneys, reporters, elected officials, and indigenous people who speak truth to power.

BLACK FRIDAY Under Arpaio Donor Drive

admin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:12:50 +0000

THE TIME IS NOW TO DONATE. WE ONLY NEED $1,000 MORE TO GET TO ALABAMA. HELP US REACH OUR GOAL THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND! Click here to DONATE NOW and for more information about the grassroots screening tour click here.

If you’re looking to put your money toward a good cause this holiday then donate during the BLACK FRIDAY Under Arpaio donor drive.

From now and through Sunday you can receive donation rewards and be in the running to receive both a limited edition autographed Manu Chao poster-print and autographed Zack de la Rocha Rage Against the Machine concert poster.

Make your donations here on the Donate PayPal link button http://underarpaio.com/donate.shtml

All donations go through Pan Left Productions. We are a non-profit organization and your donations are tax-deductible.

SEE BELOW FOR REWARD DETAILS.

HIGHEST DONOR REWARD: Reward for the donor with the highest donation from today until midnight Sunday will get a limited edition print-poster of Manu Chao by Ernesto Yerena autographed by Manu Chao and Ernesto, and an autographed Zack de la Rocha concert poster from The SoundStrike Rage Against the Machine Hollywood Palladium show. Donate more than once and your donation amounts will be tallied toward at the end of the weekend. Visit the Under Arpaio Facebook page and this blog post to monitor the current highest donation.

Other rewards include…

MOVIE CREDIT REWARD
$10 donations or more: These donors will receive a thank you movie credit in the film.

HISTORIC MAY 29TH FLIER AND PAN LEFT STICKER
$30 donations or more: Donors will receive the above reward and a historic movement flier featuring the artwork of Ernesto Yerena and Shepard Fairey.

ZACK DE LA ROCHA AUTOGRAPHED CONCERT POSTER
$100 donations or more: Donors will receive the above and these posters autographed by Zack and designed by Ernesto Yerena with photography from Diane Ovalle and are in LIMITED SUPPLY. You can email jason@panleft.org to reserve a poster before making a donation.

Also be sure to check out more great art work by Ernesto Yerena at http://hechoconganas.bigcartel.com/

Alabama and Arizona is all the RAGE…

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:36:16 +0000

Against the Machine that is.

Thank you to all who have already donated to our campaign for a grassroots screening of Under Arpiao in Alabama. We’ve almost met our goal, and it is perfect timing as the fight against HB56 is heating up. Now Zack de la Rocha has lent his support to the cause by donating these 10 signed SoundStrike Hollywood Palladium Rage Against the Machine concert posters to donors who donate $100 or more. Make a Donation.

These posters were designed by artist Ernesto Yerena with photography from Diane Ovalle and are in limited supply. As lead singer of Rage Against the Machine, Zack de la Rocha is wellknown as a tireless fighter for human rights and is an inspiration to many in Arizona. He has stood up in support of those fighting against the latest copy-cat SB1070 law HB56 in Alabama. Read Zack’s statement in support of those arrested in Montgomery.

We are so very grateful to Zack for his support of Under Arpaio and his solidarity with us in Arizona and others across the nation who are in the struggle for justice against anti-immigrant hate and brutal law enforcement officials.

Act now and DONATE today. Get your signed Zack de la Rocha poster with a $100 donation or more. And we still have the historic May 29th Day of Action filers with art work by Ernesto Yerena and Shepard Fairey with Pan Left stickers for donations of $30 or more.

Not only will we screen the film but we will hold discussions with the effected communities, document these experiences, and share video from these events on the Under Arpaio website. Once in Alabama, we will raise funds for the next stop in the tour. Possibilities for more screenings in the south are coming in. Help us get to Birmingham and support future screenings. Donate today and please spread the word!