IPC Statement on Hate Crime Against Luiz Ramirez
Submitted by ipcadmin on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 17:10.
Luis Ramirez, a Latino immigrant, is dead. Why? Racism is alive and well and running ramp id in the United States. The deep rooted seeds of racism that laid dormant in many people were brought to the surface post President Obama's victory and we're witnessing the ugly results of it. This is not an isolated event, Louis unfortunately is one of many immigrants that have suffered the same fate. According to the FBI, hate crimes against Latinos rose 35% between 2003 and 2006.
Louis Ramirez had no chance in the town of Shenandoah, PA. The jury foreman for the case was quoted as saying:
"I believe strongly that some of the people on the jury were racist. I believe strongly that some of the people on the jury had their minds made up maybe before the first day of trial...And I believe the four boys that were involved the most are racist. I absolutely do..."
We, the Board at IPC, embrace the decision of The Department of Justice to further investigate the findings of the jury in Shenandoah, PA. Please join with us and our friends at Maldef by signing the following petition: http://maldef.org/
"When a foreigner lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The foreigner living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:33-34
Let us all embrace the word of our Lord.