[GPCA Updates] NEWSED RELEASE: Use of National Guard to militarizeborder sends wrong signal

[Jim Stauffer]

                  News Advisory
           THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
                www.cagreens.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 					     
Tuesday, May 16, 2006

 

Use of National Guard to militarize border
sends wrong signal, won't resolve immigration
situation, say Green Party congressional candidates  

SACRAMENTO (May 16, 2006) – President Bush's announcement Monday evening
that the U.S. should send thousands of National Guard troops to the
California border will only escalate the militarization of the border, and
do nothing to resolve the immigration situation, said several Green Party
congressional candidates today.

The candidates also condemned Bush's plan for immigration "reform" which
would criminalize the millions of immigrants without documents.

"Militarizing the border is absolutely the wrong signal to send. It would
make it look like we're at war. I am sure Americans would be stunned if
thousands of Mexican Army troops took up positions along the border," said
Jeff Kravitz, a constitutional law professor, civil rights attorney and
candidate for Congress (5th District, Sacramento). 

 "This is hysteria upon hysteria, another stunt by the
disinformation-driven Bush Administration that will do nothing to resolve
the immigration situation," said Kravitz. "This will only serve to increase
tensions along the border with an all," he added.

Krissy Keefer (8th District., San Francisco), said that "troops at the
border have huge implications. Not only does it further inflame the already
deadly situation as it pertains to the immigrants and our relationship with
Mexico, it lays the ground work for the continued  militarization of our
country. 

"Militarizing our border in California with Mexico is just another example
of President Bush's deteriorating presidency, as is the recent revelations
of spying on Americans and the appointment of the military as head of the
CIA. President Bush is playing with the fear factor. That's the only card
he has left," Keefer said.

"These folks that are coming here for a better life are escaping a
repressive environment. Trade agreements like NAFTA have ravaged the
working class economy in Mexico which drives the migration northward. They
come to America for hope and for a second chance –  they come here seeking
economic asylum," said Byron DeLear (28th District, San Fernando).