Saturday, December 19, 2009

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Forum

Photobucket

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo from an Indigenous point of view has being an issue
that we of Texas Indigenous Council have conducted for 5 years this will be our 6th
Annual such event. It is a Panel type discussion with Q&A from the audience. Though
all Treaties signed between the U.S. and other Europeans or Native American Nations
on this Continent of the Americas had great consequences for the Indigenous
Communities the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed between the U.S. and Mexico is
dynamic and continues to mold the daily lives of Indigenous populations not Federally
recognized as Native Americans.The history of the development of Indigenous Societies
on our continent while varied has one great commonality,Invasion and Occupation.
Our very Identity is defined for us by the descendants of the Occupying Colonial
Powers. Come join us for this years Platica on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
This year we will be at Northwest Vista College. Call (210) 542-9271 for more info or Arthur Fuentes at (210) 348- 2000.


Antonio Diaz
Texas Indigenous Council

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Protesta encontra de Planta Nuclear

Protesta en contra de la planta nuclear in San Antonio Texas octubre 2009. Antonio Diaz del show Mestizo Experience habla con artista local Veronica Castillo sobre las razones que esta en contra de la planta nuclear. Este video es para el canal de aceso Publico en San Antonio TX. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Protesters against CPS Energy Nuclear Plant

Antonio Diaz from the Mestizo Experience Show on San Antonio Public Access TV speaks to protestors at City Hall about the CPS Energy Nuclear Power plant Expansion. San Antonio is deciding whether to stay invested in the project or reduce it's stake. Mestizo Experience show airs Wed 8:30pm, Thurs 4:30 pm.

Nuclear Citations vs. Violations

Community Activist Eiginio Rodriguez speaks to Antonio Diaz from the Mestizo Experience Show on San Antonio Public Access TV about why he is against the expansion of the South Texas Nuclear Project expansion being considered by CPS Energy. San Antonio is deciding whether to stay invested in the project or reduce it's stake. Mestizo Experience show airs Wed 8:30pm, Thurs 4:30 pm.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

San Antonio Nuclear Power plant Protest

Antonio Diaz from the Mestizo Experience Show goes to the protest against the South Texas Nuclear Power Plant at City Hall in San Antonio Texas October 2009. Protesta en contra de la plant nuclear in San Antonio Texas. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Can a Mother Lose Her Child Because She Doesn't Speak English?

By Tim Padgett with Dolly Mascareñas / Oaxaca

http://www.time. com/time/ nation/article/ 0,8599,1918941, 00.html

Related Story

Not All Mexicans Speak Spanish

http://www.indigeno uspeople. net/tarahum1. htm

Can the U.S. government take a woman's baby from her because she doesn't speak English? That's the latest question to arise in the hothouse debate over illegal immigration, as an undocumented woman from impoverished rural Mexico — who speaks only an obscure indigenous language — fights in a Mississippi court to regain custody of her infant daughter.

Cirila Baltazar Cruz comes from the mountainous southern state of Oaxaca, a region of Mexico that makes Appalachia look affluent. To escape the destitution in her village of 1,500 mostly Chatino Indians, Baltazar Cruz, 34, migrated earlier this decade to the U.S., hoping to send money back to two children she'd left in her mother's care. She found work at a Chinese restaurant on Mississippi' s Gulf Coast.

But Baltazar Cruz speaks only Chatino, barely any Spanish and no English. Last November, she went to Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula, Miss., where she lives, to give birth to a baby girl, Rubí. According to documents obtained by the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger, the hospital called the state Department of Human Services (DHS), which ruled that Baltazar Cruz was an unfit mother in part because her lack of English "placed her unborn child in danger and will place the baby in danger in the future."


http://www.time. com/time/ world/article/ 0,8599,1918424, 00.html

Rubí was taken from Baltazar Cruz, who now faces deportation. In May, a Jackson County judge gave the infant to a couple (it is unclear if for foster care or adoptive purposes) who reportedly live in Ocean Springs. Baltazar Cruz is challenging the ruling in Jackson County Youth Court and hopes that if she is deported she can at least take Rubí back to Mexico with her. (She has not disclosed the father's identity.)
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Before the gag order, advocates for Baltazar Cruz had charged that the problems sprang from faulty translation at Singing River. Baltazar Cruz arrived at the hospital after she flagged down a Pascagoula police officer on a city street. She was later joined there by a Chatino-speaking relative, according to MIRA, but the hospital declined his services and instead used a translator from state social services, an American of Puerto Rican descent who spoke no Chatino and whose Spanish was significantly different from that spoken in Mexico.

According to the Clarion-Ledger, the state report portrayed Baltazar Cruz as virtually a prostitute, claiming she was "exchanging living arrangements for sex" in Pascagoula and planned to put the child up for adoption. Through her advocates (before the gag order), Baltazar Cruz adamantly denied those claims. Since "she has failed to learn the English language," the newspaper quotes the documents as saying, she was "unable to call for assistance for transportation to the hospital" to give birth. The social-services translator also reported that Baltazar Cruz had put Rubí in danger because she "had not brought a cradle, clothes or baby formula." But indigenous Oaxacan mothers traditionally breast feed their babies for a year and rarely use bassinets, carrying their infants instead in a rebozo, a type of sling.

MIRA has accused Singing River and Mississippi DHS of essentially "stealing" Rubí. Citing the gag order, DHS will not comment on Baltazar Cruz's case, but before the order, an official insisted to the Clarion-Ledger that "the language a person speaks has nothing to do with the outcome of the investigation. " Singing River spokesman Richard Lucas calls the MIRA charge "preposterous" and, while noting that the nonprofit hospital delivered Baltazar Cruz's baby free of charge, insists it "did what any good hospital would have done given her unusual circumstances" by alerting DHS.

Still, despite DHS statements to the contrary, language seems a central issue in the state's case against Baltazar Cruz. It wouldn't be the first time this has happened in the U.S. In 2004 a Tennessee judge ordered into foster care the child of a Mexican migrant mother who spoke only an indigenous tongue. (Another judge later returned the child to her family.) Last year, a California court took custody of the U.S.-born twin babies of another indigenous, undocumented migrant from Oaxaca. After she was deported, the Oaxaca state government's Institute for Attention to Migrants fought successfully to have the twins repatriated to her in Mexico this summer. In such cases, says the SPLC's Bauer, a lack of interpreters is a key factor. When a mother can't follow the proceedings, "she looks unresponsive, and that conveys to a judge a lack of interest in the child, which is clearly not the case," she says. She also argues it's hard enough for any adult to learn a new language, "let alone when you're a migrant working long hours for low pay."

One of DHS's apparent fears is that an infant isn't safe in a home where the mother can articulate a 911 call solely in a language spoken only by some 50,000 Oaxacan Indians. Bauer points out that children have been raised safely in the U.S. by non-English- speaking parents for well over a century. Had they not, thousands of Italians and Russians would have had to leave their kids with foster care on Ellis Island. "Raising your child is one of the most fundamental liberties, and it can only be taken from you for the most serious concerns of endangerment, " says Bauer. "Not speaking English hardly meets that standard."
Rosalba Piña, a Chicago attorney who co-hosts a local radio program on immigration law, agrees. She likens Mississippi officials to those who fought to keep 6-year-old Elián Gonzalez in the U.S. nine years ago because they argued his life would be better here than in impoverished Cuba with his father. "They're ignoring basic U.S. and international law," says Piña. "Unless there's some real threat to the child's life back in the home country, most judges know it's in the child's best interest to be with his parents." In the end, she notes, Rubí is a U.S. citizen who could return to this country at any time as an adult.

The next court hearing in Baltazar Cruz's case is slated for November. In the meantime, Mexican consular officials in the U.S. struck an agreement with Mississippi authorities this month to ensure that Mexico will be informed when nationals like Baltazar Cruz become embroiled in cases like this. Says Daniel Hernandez Joseph, director of Mexico's program for protection of citizens abroad: "The main concern of the Mexican government is not to separate immigrant families." Baltazar Cruz now has to persuade Mississippi judges that it should be their concern too.

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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Prisoner Abuse and Rat Infested Kitchen at Bexar County Jail

Letter sent to San Antonio Judge Nelson Wolff

TO JUDGE NELSON WOLFF, COUNTY COMMISSIONER TOM ADKISSON AND SHERIFF AMADEO ORTIZ

CONCERNING THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF INMATES/DETAINEES AT BEXAR CO. JAIL AT N COMAL. WE OF TEXAS INDIGENOUS COUNCIL, AN ORGANIZATION THAT ADVOCATES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM FAMILY MEMBERS OF ABUSE AT THE BEXAR CO . JAIL. THE THREE SUSPICIOUS DEATHS IN JULY, THE DEATH OF THE 19 YR. OLD THAT SUPPOSEDLY COMMITTED SUICIDE CURRENTLY BEING CHALLENGED BY THE MOTHER. THE DEATH OF THE 53YR. OLD MAN ALSO A SUPPOSED SUICIDE WITH TALES OF DENIAL OF MEDICAL CARE AND A PHYSICAL ASSAULT.
THESE AND ALSO ALLEGATIONS OF UNSAFE FOOD PREPARATIONS DUE TO VERMIN INFESTATIONS. FOR THESE REASONS WE REQUEST A MEETING WITH ALL OF YOU SO THAT WE MAY ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS

HEALTH DEPT:
WE REQUEST THAT YOU INSPECT THE PANTRY AND KITCHEN OF THE BEXAR CO. JAIL ON N. COMAL AS WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT IT IS INFESTED WITH RODENTS AND THAT THE FOOD IS PREPARED WITH RAT DROPPINGS AND REMAINS OF RODENTS. PLEASE BE KIND ENOUGH TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN.

TEXAS INDIGENOUS COUNCIL
ANTONIO DIAZ
San Antonio TX

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Racism at the Healthcare Town Halls



Hints of racism at the Healthcare Townhalls. Footage from the Town Hall held in San Antonio Texas August 28, 2009 by U.S. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez.

Monday, August 31, 2009

San Antonio Politics on Main Plaza

Antonio Diaz from the San Antonio Public Access TV show Mestizo Experience Show talks about local politics in San Antonio concerning Main Plaza in Downtown and comments on former San Antonio mayor Phil Hardberger.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

T Don Hutto Protest

Still shots from the protest at the T Don Hutto Detention Center in Taylor TX held August 2009.

Protest at T Don Hutto Detention Center

Protest on 8-22-09 at the T Don Hutto Detention Center in Taylor Texas that house immigrant families awaiting court hearing. Organized by Antonio Diaz, Texas Indigenous Council and Free the Children Coalition. This Protest is to remind all that the T.D.Hutto Residential Center will not be closing but merely shifting detainee population. Children will be sent to Berks Co. Penn. an 82 bed facility,yet there are at least127 children at T.D.Hutto. Many questions remain. Women are the core the heart of the family unit. T.D. Hutto will imprison mainly women only after Dec.2009 when the contract between CCA and Williamson Co. expires. But when necessary children may still be imprisoned at T.D. Hutto.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Cuoahtemoc`s Promise Event


We will be at 3115 W Ashby on Thurs. the 13th Dia de Cuoahtemoc at Maccs with Danza Teokalli, Azteca Art (paintings) , Lecture on Aztec Codice, Video of Tecumsehs Prophecy from The We Shall Remain Series. To view video of this event, scroll down to the bottom of this page or go to Ustream.com
search Indigenousway.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Same dog, different collar article


Same dog, different collar
Effective immediately, the Obama Administration will stop sending families to Hutto. But is this really a victory for immigrant-rights advocates?

Click here to read article by San Antonio Current.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Freedom Walk in August




Texas Indigenous Council as a part of Free the Children Coalition in continuing with the effort of keeping the focus on Correction Corp. of America`s T.D. Hutto Res. Family Ctr. private prison for profit. We ask all that feel that such imprisonment of children should not be an accepted business venture for the United States to allow by legislating it legal to join us Aug 22nd in Taylor Texas. We must reintroduce into law the Catch & Release Program, this is the key to emptying T.D. Hutto Prison and all future Hutto`s. We not only want to Free the Children imprisoned in Taylor Texas but keep families seeking asylum or refugee status from being unjustly imprisoned for profit. We will assemble at Heritage Park on 4rth & Main at 12 noon til 1p.m. then Walk to T.D. Hutto on Welch St. for the protest vigil . Program is still in planning stage . Call with suggested speakers or musicians. (210) 396-9805 Shut Hutto Down! Free the Children!
Antonio Diaz
Free the Children Coalition

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Cesar Chavez March San Antonio

Sights and sounds from the 2009 Cesar Chavez March in San Antonio TX March . This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Mestizo Experience Show.

Antonio Diaz Ticketed at Cesar Chavez March

Activist Antonio Diaz talks about why he was ticketed at the 2009 Cesar Chavez March. He was denied speaking at the event due to a conflict with co-founder Jaime P Martinez and the receipt of  funding from Corrections Corporation of America, who run immigrant detention centers in Texas.
This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Mestizo Experience Show.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Cesar Chavez March

Footage from  the 2009 Cesar Chavez March for Justice in San Antonio TX.
This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Mestizo Experience Show.

Antonio Diaz at Cesar Chavez March

Activist Antonio Diaz gives remarks at the 2009 Cesar Chavez March for Justice.
This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Mestizo Experience Show.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Children's Freedom Walk Taylor TX May 16


The Bill for Alternative to Incarceration of Immigrant Families is in Committee and probably will die there if we don`t push. This Walk through Taylor, TX and Rally in front of T.D.Hutto Prison is to keep the focus on the profiteering at the expense of Children`s innocence. May 16th 2009 Caravan leaving from San Pedro Park in San Antonio at 10am for those that want to go take IH35N through Austin then exit 79 Hutto to Taylor TX. Heritage Park corner of Main and 4th from 12 noon til 1pm assembly then we Walk for Children's Freedom through downtown Taylor to T.D.Hutto Prison .
There will be music provided by bands from San Antonio and possibly from Austin as well. for more info call (210) 396-9805 or (210) 724-3400
Free the Children Shut Hutto Down.

Antonio Diaz
Spokesperson:Texas Indigenous Council
Organizer: Free the Children Coalition

Monday, April 13, 2009

May Day March in San Antonio

Support this year's MARCH for International Workers Rights. Friday May 1st at Plaza De Zacate / Milam park 6pm. This is an opportunity to let President Obama KNOW that we still live under the practice of Apartheid and all the ugliness that come with it. A Militarized Border that divides one People, A Wall of death that continues to constructed against the will of the People. Job Site Raids, Residential Raids, Detentions, Deportations. These Terrorist Tactic is being employed against the Indigenous Communities Worldwide. Indigenous People of this World should not be criminalized for crossing ancient migratory trails the Right to feed yourself and those within your Family should not be Crime. This Endless war that Crusading Colonizers have waged against our Humanity should be brought to an end. No Human being is Illegal all are deserving to their pursuit of Happiness. Tlazocameti
Antonio Diaz
Co-Founder: Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice San Antonio TX.
Spokesperson; Texas Indigenous Council

Upcoming Actions for T.D. Hutto Prison

Texas State Legislature is in session and we must support the Resolution to close T.D.Hutto Family Residential Center. For those that still don`t know T.D. Hutto is a private run Prison for profit. Run by Corrections Corporation of America. Asylum seeking Families. Refugees fleeing either natural disasters, civil wars, even people with expired visas. None having commited any crime other than to look to this government for a safe place in which to live . Children imprisoned as part of a scare tactic that enriches the greedy. Grassroots groups from Austin put together a resolution to close T.D.Hutto, this resolution will probably not even be discussed since our Texas Legislature is looking for ways to deny people their Right to Vote.

Call your State Rep. call your Senators. (pH) 202 224-3121 or www.house.gov, www.senate.gov , There will be a Vigil this Saturday April the 18th in Taylor T.D. Hutto call for more info. Also there is a May 16th Freedom Walk with Protest Vigil for more info call (210) 396-9805 Constitutional Rights are Universal and not bound by any governmental border. Human Rights include the Freedom of the pursuit of Happiness. Si Se Puede!
Antonio Diaz
Co-Founder: Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice San Antonio TX
Spokesperson: Texas Indigenous Council
Organizer: Free the Children Coalition

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Danza Indigena, Indigenous Dance

The Teokalli Azteca Dance group dances at the forum held on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo in January 2009. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Indians are not Americans Show and The Mestizo Experience Show. El grupo de baile indigena Teokalli Azteca baila en le foro de el trato de Guadalupe Hidalgo.


Antonio Diaz on Indigenous Rights

Antonio Diaz of the Texas Indigenous council speaks at the forum held on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo in January 2009. The forum was to discuss the effects of this treaty on the indigenous, or Indian people from Mexico and the U.S. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Indians are not Americans Show and The Mestizo Experience Show.


Professor Milo Colton on Monarch Butterfly Experiment

St. Mary's University Professor Milo Colton speaks at the forum held on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo in January 2009. He speaks the monarch butterfly travel experiments and ties it to indigenous rights. The forum was to discuss the effects of this treaty on the indigenous, or Indian people from Mexico and the U.S. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Indians are not Americans Show and The Mestizo Experience Show.


Artist Ron Rocha on Indigenous Aztec Art

San Antonio Artist Ron Rocha speaks at the forum held on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo in January 2009. He talks about the history of painting indigenous and Aztec art. His murals are displayed in various restaurants around the city. The forum was to discuss the effects of this treaty on the indigenous, or Indian people from Mexico and the U.S. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Indians are not Americans Show and The Mestizo Experience Show.


Rodolfo Rivera Munoz on Indigenous Law Part 1

San Antonio Attorney activist Rodolfo Munoz speaks at the forum held on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo in January 2009. He talks about how the U.S Constitution excludes Indians from their rights in America. The forum was to discuss the effects of this treaty on the indigenous, or Indian people from Mexico and the U.S. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Indians are not Americans Show and The Mestizo Experience Show. Part 1.


Rodolfo Rivera Munoz on Indigenous Law Part 2

San Antonio Attorney activist Rodolfo Munoz speaks at the forum held on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo in January 2009. He talks about how the U.S Constitution excludes Indians from their rights in America. The forum was to discuss the effects of this treaty on the indigenous, or Indian people from Mexico and the U.S. This clip was for San Antonio Public Access TV, Indians are not Americans Show and The Mestizo Experience Show. Part 2.