The Southern Poverty Law Center was founded in 1971 as a small civil rights law firm in Montgomery, Ala., dedicated to making our Constitutional ideals a reality. In 1981, while suing the Ku Klux Klan in a civil suit, they discovered evidence of a resurgence of Klan activity and started the SPLC Intelligence Project, which tracks hate crimes and hate groups. They have identified a chapter of the United Northern and Southern Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in Monroe, Wis.
Do NOT misunderstand me, I am NOT saying that Jan Lefevre has any knowledge of this group, but I do say that the opinions she expressed about the Cinco de Mayo celebration would be embraced by this group, and as a city official she should be working for all members of the community, not making statements that enhance division.
She says the nation is concerned with immigration issues so "this is not the proper time to do this." The nation was founded by immigrants and has been populated by immigrants since its inception. There have been waves of anti-immigrant sentiment since the beginning, during the periods of Russian immigration, Jewish immigration, Irish immigration, German immigration, and more. And there likely always will be. When would that appropriate time be?
And, what does Cinco de Mayo have to do with immigration, illegal or legal? Should we not celebrate St. Patrick's Day because of immigration issues or are we just concerned with Hispanic celebrations? I think Mrs. Lefevre made that clear with her statement, "This is a European, Old World community." Are there signs around which say, "Hispanics Need Not Apply?" An interesting side note I came across today: in 1838, an area that is now part of Monroe, was platted and town officials were elected. The town's name was New Mexico. Maybe the heritage isn't quite so Old World European as some have thought.
We are appalled at the Shi'a and Sunni in Iraq, lamenting, "Why can't they just get along? Why must they fight each other?" Well, keep up this insular, narrow separation for a few more generations and see where it leads us. The idea that Cinco de Mayo celebrates or "promotes" illegal immigration is simply absurd.
Lastly, Mrs. Lefevre says that she's concerned about the lack of toilet facilities for the 100 expected participants. I think that's just bigotry hiding behind a bladder.
Do NOT misunderstand me, I am NOT saying that Jan Lefevre has any knowledge of this group, but I do say that the opinions she expressed about the Cinco de Mayo celebration would be embraced by this group, and as a city official she should be working for all members of the community, not making statements that enhance division.
She says the nation is concerned with immigration issues so "this is not the proper time to do this." The nation was founded by immigrants and has been populated by immigrants since its inception. There have been waves of anti-immigrant sentiment since the beginning, during the periods of Russian immigration, Jewish immigration, Irish immigration, German immigration, and more. And there likely always will be. When would that appropriate time be?
And, what does Cinco de Mayo have to do with immigration, illegal or legal? Should we not celebrate St. Patrick's Day because of immigration issues or are we just concerned with Hispanic celebrations? I think Mrs. Lefevre made that clear with her statement, "This is a European, Old World community." Are there signs around which say, "Hispanics Need Not Apply?" An interesting side note I came across today: in 1838, an area that is now part of Monroe, was platted and town officials were elected. The town's name was New Mexico. Maybe the heritage isn't quite so Old World European as some have thought.
We are appalled at the Shi'a and Sunni in Iraq, lamenting, "Why can't they just get along? Why must they fight each other?" Well, keep up this insular, narrow separation for a few more generations and see where it leads us. The idea that Cinco de Mayo celebrates or "promotes" illegal immigration is simply absurd.
Lastly, Mrs. Lefevre says that she's concerned about the lack of toilet facilities for the 100 expected participants. I think that's just bigotry hiding behind a bladder.
