We're living in a police state

Some incredible abuse of undocumented immigrants is happening right here in Raleigh. And not enough people are noticing. There have been some nice articles in the N&O about workplace raids in NC (Good job, Good Life, All Gone, N&O 3/20/07), children being left stranded (Crackdown separates Mom, Kids, N&O 9/2/07)), conflict with local police doing federal enforcer job (Jail ID program stirs fear', N&O 11/9/07). Still, I have stories from Wake County. The more you hear, the worse you see things are getting.

One of our NC NOW conference panels in Oct 07 was on Immigration Raids. The director of an Hispanic Center was one of 5 panelists on this topic. I will include just a few of the cases she mentioned.

A trailer park was raided at 3 a.m in September 2007. A priest called the director to help the families after the raid. The victims told her that Immigration came banging on doors and entering through windows. They had no warrants. Woke up whole families. They went through whole trailers. Apparently immigration couldn't find anything to use to arrest these people. On leaving, the uniforms forced family members (victims) to sign papers that waived all of their rights. These men had guns. They had invaded these houses in the middle of the night. What choice did the families have?

An Indian man has lived her for 10 years. He was robbed, so he called the police. Now he is in jail. He had overstayed his visa. The robber or robbers are still at large. Per the new Wake County situation, he may be deported.

A husband went to court to pay a ticket. He never returned home. He was detained, leaving his pregnant wife on her own. He was not allowed to call her or anything. He just vanished.

A 15-year-old child was beaten and bitten by other teenagers. She was afraid to call the police about the abuse.

These are happening here and now, and in Wake County.

I have to believe that if people understood what was happening, they would understand why this situation is unacceptable - for undocumented immigrants, and for citizens alike.

-Gailya Paliga
President, Raleigh NOW

In 2007 we have learned that we can no longer depend on the Supreme Court to uphold the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that gave American women control over their reproductive lives. With the retirement of Sandra Day O’Connor and the ascendance of two Bush nominees to the Court, women’s reproductive rights are in more danger than ever before. For the first time, the Court has ruled (in Gonzales v. Carhart) that restrictions on abortion need not take a woman’s health into account—effectively reversing a prior decision concerning an almost identical law. This decision opens the door for legal abortion to die the death of a thousand cuts—to become unobtainable due to the addition of countless new restrictions previously held unconstitutional. But we cannot, we must not go back to pre-Roe days!

For more than a generation, the Supreme Court has firmly upheld Roe and turned back all attempts to outlaw or severely restrict access to abortion. But today the struggle is moving into another arena. We can no longer depend on the courts. If Roe is overturned or seriously weakened, then women will need to rely on state or federal legislation to protect their rights. Public support for reproductive rights, clearly and strongly expressed, will matter more than anything else. Women will lose in the political arena only if the pro-choice majority becomes a silent majority.

Please join us to learn about these Supreme Court Decisions, and discuss what can be done.
Date: Saturday, January 19, 2008
Time: 7pm-9pm
Place: tbd

You may know that January 22, 2008 is the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, which gave women the right to control their own reproductive lives.

Every year, North Carolina NOW takes the centerfold of the Independent weekly newspaper. We print columns of names of people across NC who support women’s reproductive rights. This commemorates Roe v. Wade, and also raises money for our lobbyist here in North Carolina.

The signature ad is significant for many reasons.
 It shows that large numbers of people, across the state, support the issue.
 Copies of the ad are distributed each year to all legislators, so they do not forget that there is a large pro-choice contingent.
 It provides a simple way for large numbers of people to be involved and show their support.

Want to do one thing? Sign yourself up and/or make a donation. Want to do more? Share this information with friends and family that feel as you do. Explain how the ad benefits all women in North Carolina to those who may be hesitant to sign on if the publication does not appear in their local paper.

Thank you so much for supporting NC NOW and helping all pro-choice women retain their reproductive rights.

Email president@raleighnow.org to get a form. Write also if you'd like the latest newsletter (via snail mail!).