Alabama immigration law recalls darkest moments in history

[marmar]

Alabama immigration law recalls darkest moments in history
History is full of irrefutable evidence that when the economy gets bad, scapegoats are targeted, and the worst instincts of humanity reveal themselves

Ilyse Hogue for The Nation
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 18 October 2011



Protesters take part in a demonstration in front of the federal courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama Photograph: Gary Tramontina/Polaris for the Guardian


With the occupations sweeping the country, the failure of the jobs bill and an alleged assassination plot against the Saudi ambassador, the shocking news out of Alabama in the last few weeks has passed – with notable exceptions including the Guardian's own coverage – without much comment.

Alabama has begun to implement a draconian immigration law (HB56), codifying a new era of fear and racism in our country. HB56 turns Alabama into a police state reminiscent of the old Soviet Union, making it a crime to appear in public without your papers in order. It requires proof of citizenship in routine transactions. Schools need to see papers for children and their parents before fulfilling their core duty of educating children.

In moves worthy of a dystopian late-night B-movie, law enforcement is now required to stop anyone who "appears" illegal.

One hyper-real image making its way around the internet shows a sign posted on the door of a utility office demanding a driver's license to pay your bill. Failure to show proof of citizenship, the sign warned, could result in termination of water services to your home. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/oct/18/alabama-immigration-law

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. I am so blue in this state.

:( :(

[jowsybart]

2. being pro-immigration is rightwing, not leftwing

both parties help the rich, just in different ways.

[Hoyt]

3. I'm not so sure about that, especially from perspective of how we treat those already here.