“LatinoJustice” Advocacy Group Files Petition Accusing The United States Of Failing To Protect Latinos

“LatinoJustice,” a civil rights legal advocacy group, filed a petition stating the United States has failed to adequately protect Latinos living in this country, regardless of whether or not they are legal immigrants. The petition cites the overall recent rise in hate crimes against Latinos and specific instances of such crimes, such as those against Jose O. Sucuzhanay in Bushwick and Marcelo Lucero in Patchogue. The claim was filed in conjunction with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights - an organization associated with the Organization of American States.

The United States happens to be a founding member of this group, which seeks to uphold human rights and the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man. The petition states the U.S. has not done what it could to promote these rights where Latinos are concerned.

Among the main points brought up in the petition is the increasing phenomenon of communities agreeing to deputize police officers to carry out immigration law - a risky decision that can lead to treating all Latinos as potential criminals, regardless of their immigration status, and the dehumanization of those who do happen to be undocumented.

While this petition might seem to be highly unusual (it is!) and excessive (just wait…), we think the atmosphere in this country right now calls for it. The rise of brutal, violent, heinous crimes born out of an attitude that one’s legal status or skin shade are somehow equated with one’s status as a human being is demands that action be taken, especially in such a way that captures the general public’s attention and stirs the pot enough to get people interested and invested. Get angry. Get frustrated. Get loud. Get sad. But, above all: Get working. This problem will not go away otherwise.

Rights Group Accuses U.S. of Failing to Protect Latinos [NY Times]