WASHINGTON, April 20 /Hispanic Christian News/ -- America's largest Hispanic Christian organization, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), called the passage of Senate Bill 1070 in Arizona legally sponsored nativism and xenophobia.
"Today, Arizona stands as the state with the most xenophobic, nativist laws in the country. We need a multi-ethnic firewall against the extremists in our nation who desire to separate us rather than bring us together. Shame on you, Arizona Republicans, and shame on you, Senator John McCain, for endorsing the legislation, "stated NHCLC president Rev. Samuel Rodriguez.
Arizona lawmakers approved the anti-immigrant measure on Monday. The bill expands law enforcement powers to permit racial profiling of anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant.
"We call upon RNC Chairman Michael Steele to condemn this bill. Hispanic Americans will read his silence as a de facto endorsement and a preview of what will come if the GOP takes over Congress in 2010. We also call upon Attorney General Eric Holder to review this legislation, which is clearly a violation of constitutionally-protected civil rights. If you are Hispanic in Arizona, this law makes you a suspect and opens you to police harassment. We call upon all Latinos and immigrants who are citizens in Arizona to defend their constitutionally protected rights," added Rodriguez.
Rev. Eve Nunez, Vice President of NHCLC and Arizona State Chapter Director for the National Association of Evangelicals, delivered Bibles to all legislators who signed Senate Bill 1070. This includes the two sponsors of the bill, Steve Montenegro, who is a former immigrant, and Russell Pearce. Each Bible had the name of the legislator and the following passages from Scripture:
"Woe to the legislators of infamous laws, to those who issue tyrannical decrees, who refuse justice to the unfortunate and cheat the poor among my people of their rights who make widows their prey, and rob the orphan. What will you do on the day of punishment, when, from afar off, destruction comes? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? - Isaiah 10:1-3
"Speak up for those who cannot speak themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy" - Proverbs 31:8-9
The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference will host a number of meetings in Arizona to discuss strategies to engage in non-violent civil disobedience. The organization is also requesting that Attorney General Eric Holder look into the measure as a violation of federally protected civil rights
The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference is the Hispanic National Association of Evangelicals, unifying, serving and representing the Hispanic Born Again Community by reconciling the vertical and horizontal of the Christian Message via the 7 Directives of Life, Family, Great Commission, Stewardship, Justice, Education and Youth.
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