Rebel Diaz Statement on The Deportation/ Terrorism Case vs Victor Toro....Get informed!
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Comite 10 de Marzo
Jan 11, 2010, 9:42:19 AM1/11/10
to ChicagoMayDay, NAIR_CC@googlegroups. Com
Rebel Diaz Statement on The Deportation/ Terrorism Case vs Victor Toro....Get informed!
To members of Rebel Diaz
Rebel Diaz is in full support of Victor Toro. In 2007, Toro, the community leader and founder of La Pena del Bronx was arrested in an ICE raid on the Amtrack train he was coming home in. At this time, his case seemed to be similar to that of 12 million other undocumented immigrants here in the U.S. However, as we have learned, that was not the case. Toro, also happens to be a founding member of the MIR in Chile. The Movimiento de Izquerda Revolucionaria or The Revolutionary Leftist Movement. Under the U.S. and CIA funded Pinochet military dictatorship, the leaders of the MIR, were the 1st to be targeted. The leadership, similar to the leaders of the Black Power movements here in the U.S. were all viewed as a threat by the oppressors because they were supported by the masses. Due to this they were infiltrated and eventually assassinated. Even though he was caught and severly tortured, Victor Toro was lucky to escape alive. However, the dictatorship declared him dead in the early 80s. In Chile Victor Toro is considered to be deceased. These were tactics used by the military regime so that when they did catch him they could kill him and it would go under the radar. Only that they never caught him again. Victor Toro could not get legalization because he didn't exist on paper! He didn't feel safe going to US authorities either. They were the ones that funded the dictatorship he was running from! After all, during this time Chilean intelligence was also active in the U.S. This is proven in the assassination of Orlando Letelier and Ronni Moffitt, a U.S. CITIZEN, with a car bomb in Washington D.C.
To understand Toro's case, we must understand the history of U.S. involvement in Latin America. Since the times of The Monroe Doctrine, and even before then,it has been an abusive relationship in which puppet governments and dictatorships have been enforced in order for corporations to rape the land and resources they lack up North. On Sept. 11th, 1973 a dictatorship began in Chile that would last 17 years. This mirrored the dictaduras of the same nature in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay and those in Central America in Guatemala.
The democratically elected Salvador Allende's government was overthrown because he had a socialist agenda and was practicing the redistribution of land. This was a threat to multinational corporations like The Anaconda Copper Company. This was a threat to US economic interests. There was no abuse of human rights. There was no political prisoners. Victor Toro is being accused of being a terrorist for being a freedom fighter. What were his acts of terror? Working with the poor and disenfranchized? Organizing the homeless into building homes for themselves? The real terrorists are the supporters of the bloody dictatorship that disappeared thousands of Chileans. The real terrorists are those that taught torture at the School of The Americas. The real terrorists are Augusto Pinochet, Milton Friedman, Manuel Contreras, Guaton Romo, and all the other torturers that raped women, that devastated young families, that murdered young students, teachers, workers,etc. By labeling Victor Toro a terrorist, based on CIA and DINA (chilean secret police) intelligence documents, the US government is legitamizing a bloody military dictatorship. It also is a clear admission of US complicity and involvement in an illegal and murderous regime.
This case is important because its not just about immigration but at the same time it addresses the roots of immigration. In 2010 we can assume that the 12 million undocumented workers have become 20 million. People don't leave their homelandsfor no reason. People leave their homes and families and come up North, because U.S. foreign policy has made conditions in Latin America unliveable. People migrate North because Neo Liberalism has devastated our homelands and stolen our resources. This economic model was imposed through dictatorships like Pinochet's in Chile and is currently imposed through trade agreements like NAFTA. Is one a terrorist for speakin out against this? Victor Toro is a 70 year old man. What threat is he to our society? On the contrary Victor has been a Bronx resident for the last 25 years and thru his work with La Pena del Bronx, has had a positive impact on his community. Hundreds of youth have been served food, culture, and education. He is a champion for the poor.
One would think that under the Hope atmosphere in which President Barack Obama was elected, that we wouldn't have these type of persecutions. But let's not forget this is the same government who just opened up 8 military bases in Colombia. Let's not forget this is the same government that just sent 30,000 more troops to war in Afghanistan. The same government that sat still and allowed a massacre in Gaza last year. The same government that just placed Cuba on a terrorist list. The same government that sat still and allowed an illegal military coup in Honduras.
The word terrorism is being thrown around real loosely lately. It has replaced the "communism" of the 80s as the term used for the common enemy. Under the Patriot Act and Homeland Security, anyone who speaks up against poverty, against oppression, against war can be labeled a terrorist. Half of these recent terrorist cases look suspect. The majority seem to have informants who seem to be agent provacateurs. The idea is to spread the message of fear. Its a way to control the masses. The message is speak out and get labeled a terrorist.
Victor Toro arrived in The Bronx during the 80's. A time when Hip Hop was growing, A time when the borough of The Bronx was the forgotten borough. The burned down borough. Victor Toro not only embraced Hip Hop, but also Spanish rock bands of the young mexicans arriving. He created relationships with the Garifuna community of Honduras and Guatemala. He housed San Romero de Las Americas, a predominantly Dominican church when it lost its location. If it wasn't for Victor Toro, Rebel Diaz would not be. It is with the help of La Pena Del Bronx that we were able to open The Rebel Diaz Arts Collective. It is with his help that we are able to host Mommas Hip Hop Kitchen. It is with his help that we were able to have The Can't Stop the Rock Hip Hop series at The Jardin La Roka. The attack on Victor Toro is an attack on us all. The same way authorities tried to persecute The San Francisco 8, the same way authorities assassinated Filiberto Ojeda Rios. These are attacks on our elders. These are attacks on the morale of the immigration movement. We are in full support of Victor Toro. We demand Political Asylum.
Victor Toro is no terrorist he just stands up for the people and tells the truth. Something the US government and politicians could learn from.
--
Jorge Mujica
To understand Toro's case, we must understand the history of U.S. involvement in Latin America. Since the times of The Monroe Doctrine, and even before then,it has been an abusive relationship in which puppet governments and dictatorships have been enforced in order for corporations to rape the land and resources they lack up North. On Sept. 11th, 1973 a dictatorship began in Chile that would last 17 years. This mirrored the dictaduras of the same nature in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay and those in Central America in Guatemala.
The democratically elected Salvador Allende's government was overthrown because he had a socialist agenda and was practicing the redistribution of land. This was a threat to multinational corporations like The Anaconda Copper Company. This was a threat to US economic interests. There was no abuse of human rights. There was no political prisoners. Victor Toro is being accused of being a terrorist for being a freedom fighter. What were his acts of terror? Working with the poor and disenfranchized? Organizing the homeless into building homes for themselves? The real terrorists are the supporters of the bloody dictatorship that disappeared thousands of Chileans. The real terrorists are those that taught torture at the School of The Americas. The real terrorists are Augusto Pinochet, Milton Friedman, Manuel Contreras, Guaton Romo, and all the other torturers that raped women, that devastated young families, that murdered young students, teachers, workers,etc. By labeling Victor Toro a terrorist, based on CIA and DINA (chilean secret police) intelligence documents, the US government is legitamizing a bloody military dictatorship. It also is a clear admission of US complicity and involvement in an illegal and murderous regime.
This case is important because its not just about immigration but at the same time it addresses the roots of immigration. In 2010 we can assume that the 12 million undocumented workers have become 20 million. People don't leave their homelandsfor no reason. People leave their homes and families and come up North, because U.S. foreign policy has made conditions in Latin America unliveable. People migrate North because Neo Liberalism has devastated our homelands and stolen our resources. This economic model was imposed through dictatorships like Pinochet's in Chile and is currently imposed through trade agreements like NAFTA. Is one a terrorist for speakin out against this? Victor Toro is a 70 year old man. What threat is he to our society? On the contrary Victor has been a Bronx resident for the last 25 years and thru his work with La Pena del Bronx, has had a positive impact on his community. Hundreds of youth have been served food, culture, and education. He is a champion for the poor.
One would think that under the Hope atmosphere in which President Barack Obama was elected, that we wouldn't have these type of persecutions. But let's not forget this is the same government who just opened up 8 military bases in Colombia. Let's not forget this is the same government that just sent 30,000 more troops to war in Afghanistan. The same government that sat still and allowed a massacre in Gaza last year. The same government that just placed Cuba on a terrorist list. The same government that sat still and allowed an illegal military coup in Honduras.
The word terrorism is being thrown around real loosely lately. It has replaced the "communism" of the 80s as the term used for the common enemy. Under the Patriot Act and Homeland Security, anyone who speaks up against poverty, against oppression, against war can be labeled a terrorist. Half of these recent terrorist cases look suspect. The majority seem to have informants who seem to be agent provacateurs. The idea is to spread the message of fear. Its a way to control the masses. The message is speak out and get labeled a terrorist.
Victor Toro arrived in The Bronx during the 80's. A time when Hip Hop was growing, A time when the borough of The Bronx was the forgotten borough. The burned down borough. Victor Toro not only embraced Hip Hop, but also Spanish rock bands of the young mexicans arriving. He created relationships with the Garifuna community of Honduras and Guatemala. He housed San Romero de Las Americas, a predominantly Dominican church when it lost its location. If it wasn't for Victor Toro, Rebel Diaz would not be. It is with the help of La Pena Del Bronx that we were able to open The Rebel Diaz Arts Collective. It is with his help that we are able to host Mommas Hip Hop Kitchen. It is with his help that we were able to have The Can't Stop the Rock Hip Hop series at The Jardin La Roka. The attack on Victor Toro is an attack on us all. The same way authorities tried to persecute The San Francisco 8, the same way authorities assassinated Filiberto Ojeda Rios. These are attacks on our elders. These are attacks on the morale of the immigration movement. We are in full support of Victor Toro. We demand Political Asylum.
Victor Toro is no terrorist he just stands up for the people and tells the truth. Something the US government and politicians could learn from.
--
Jorge Mujica
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