FORGOTTEN INJUSTICE:
A GOVERNMENT SPONSORED PROGRAM OF UNCONSTITUTIONAL DEPORTATIONS TO
MEXICO DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION
In the early 1930s, the United States government, in close cooperation with states, cities and
counties, undertook an aggressive and illegal program to remove nearly two million people of
Mexican descent from the United States. Most of the involuntary deportees were either U.S. citizens
or immigrants in this country legally. The deportees were often rounded up in large groups at
parks, hospitals, and the workplace, and then put on to locked and crowded train cars that rode
them across the border, abandoning them in the rural interior of Mexico. Others were removed by
intimidation - in the face of threats and acts of violence - rather than being forcibly sent to Mexico.
With the massive rise in unemployment, the state and federal government focused its efforts on the
“immigration problem,” specifically the Mexican population, as a scapegoat for the nation’s ills
during the Great Depression. After decades of encouraging Mexican immigration to the United
States, various state legislatures and local governments, notably in Michigan and California,
engaged in the unconstitutional deportation of persons of Mexican descent.
SB 645 (Dunn) provides a corrective measure for the injustice suffered by Americans who were
illegally deported to Mexico during the Depression Era. SB 645 recognizes that American citizens
and legal residents of Mexican descent were wrongfully and illegally deported to Mexico between
1929 and 1944 and establishes a privately funded commission to gather facts regarding and
conduct a study of the unconstitutional deportations. Also, SB 645 initiates a Reparations Fund;
eligibility to receive reparation and the amount of reparation are to be determined by the
Commission. As such, the Fund will not be enacted until the Legislature receives the Commission’
s report and passes redress legislation. Individuals who collect reparation from the Fund or are
eligible to collect reparation from the Fund relinquish claims against the State.
SB 670 (Dunn) is an Apology Act for the illegal deportation of American citizens and legal residents
of California that occurred during the Depression Era. This bill recognizes that American citizens
and legal residents of Mexican descent were wrongfully and illegally deported to Mexico between
1929 and 1944. Also, SB 670 codifies an apology from the State of California to the victims and
their families and constructs a small plaque in memory of the victims.
Senator Joe Dunn has been the first public official to bring light to and attempt to correct this terrible
injustice. The Senator has fought for the survivors of the illegal
deportations for the last five years, yet the Governor has vetoed every attempt to bring justice to
the victims of this illegal program. Please contact your legislator and ask them to support SB 645
and SB 670. If you would like to receive our monthly electronic newsletter for updates on the status
of this important legislation, send an email to forgotteninjustice@gmail.com with the word
“REQUEST” in the subject line. We appreciate your support; the survivors have waited far too long.
A GOVERNMENT SPONSORED PROGRAM OF UNCONSTITUTIONAL DEPORTATIONS TO
MEXICO DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION
In the early 1930s, the United States government, in close cooperation with states, cities and
counties, undertook an aggressive and illegal program to remove nearly two million people of
Mexican descent from the United States. Most of the involuntary deportees were either U.S. citizens
or immigrants in this country legally. The deportees were often rounded up in large groups at
parks, hospitals, and the workplace, and then put on to locked and crowded train cars that rode
them across the border, abandoning them in the rural interior of Mexico. Others were removed by
intimidation - in the face of threats and acts of violence - rather than being forcibly sent to Mexico.
With the massive rise in unemployment, the state and federal government focused its efforts on the
“immigration problem,” specifically the Mexican population, as a scapegoat for the nation’s ills
during the Great Depression. After decades of encouraging Mexican immigration to the United
States, various state legislatures and local governments, notably in Michigan and California,
engaged in the unconstitutional deportation of persons of Mexican descent.
SB 645 (Dunn) provides a corrective measure for the injustice suffered by Americans who were
illegally deported to Mexico during the Depression Era. SB 645 recognizes that American citizens
and legal residents of Mexican descent were wrongfully and illegally deported to Mexico between
1929 and 1944 and establishes a privately funded commission to gather facts regarding and
conduct a study of the unconstitutional deportations. Also, SB 645 initiates a Reparations Fund;
eligibility to receive reparation and the amount of reparation are to be determined by the
Commission. As such, the Fund will not be enacted until the Legislature receives the Commission’
s report and passes redress legislation. Individuals who collect reparation from the Fund or are
eligible to collect reparation from the Fund relinquish claims against the State.
SB 670 (Dunn) is an Apology Act for the illegal deportation of American citizens and legal residents
of California that occurred during the Depression Era. This bill recognizes that American citizens
and legal residents of Mexican descent were wrongfully and illegally deported to Mexico between
1929 and 1944. Also, SB 670 codifies an apology from the State of California to the victims and
their families and constructs a small plaque in memory of the victims.
Senator Joe Dunn has been the first public official to bring light to and attempt to correct this terrible
injustice. The Senator has fought for the survivors of the illegal
deportations for the last five years, yet the Governor has vetoed every attempt to bring justice to
the victims of this illegal program. Please contact your legislator and ask them to support SB 645
and SB 670. If you would like to receive our monthly electronic newsletter for updates on the status
of this important legislation, send an email to forgotteninjustice@gmail.com with the word
“REQUEST” in the subject line. We appreciate your support; the survivors have waited far too long.
| Senator Joseph Dunn |
| Depression era deportees |
| "It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." Emiliano Zapata "Any man* who won't die for something is not fit to live." Martin Luther King Jr. *Of course, if Martin had said that today, he would have said "any person." |
CALIFORNIA LULAC - League of United Latin American Citizens
CA LULAC Issues >
California needs tougher laws and tougher enforcement to combat
harassment and discrimination in the workplace. The above incident is a
prime example: Larry Cooper is the only African American working in a
predominantly Latino workforce at the Commerce, California facility of ADS
Logistics (headquartered in Homewood, Illinois). LULAC, as a civil rights
organization, came to Larry's assistance because it is against racism
whether perpetrated by Caucasians, African Americans, Asians, or Latinos.
Racism is racism and we need to ERASE RACISM from our society.
In addition to being subjected to having racist graffiti painted on the wall of the
bathroom, Cooper previously had the "N" word written on his locker. Now, he
is being cold shouldered by other employees. He also alleges that African
American truck drivers have to wait hours for their trucks to be loaded while
other drivers get prompt and efficient service. Additionally, the day after
African American job applicants were told there were no jobs, management
went out and recruited casual laborers from a Home Depot parking lot!
California LULAC has demanded answers from ADS's President and law firm
about the way the company is responding to Cooper's complaints and is
assisting him to file charges with government agencies over these injustices.
At the May 2004 State Conference of California LULAC, a resolution was
passed unanimously endorsing AB 1617, introduced by Assembly Member
Cindy Montanez (D-39th AD). In doing so, CA LULAC joined the bill's sponsor,
San Fernando Valley/Northeast Los Angeles Chapter of NOW, Alameda
Corridor Jobs Coalition, California Association of Licensed Investigators,
National Center for Lesbian Rights, and many other individuals and
organizations that want to put teeth into laws that combat harassment and
discrimination in the workplace. The principles of AB 1617 were later
adopted by resolution of the LULAC National Convention.
Unfortunately, AB 1617 died when it encountered intense opposition from
employer organizations who were reluctant to make a serious effort to root
out unfair workplace practices. California LULAC will continue to fight for fair
employment legislation.
Click here to see ADS Logistics' Response to Larry's
Accusations
Click here to listen to Larry's Response to what ADS Logistics'
Lawyer had to say!
harassment and discrimination in the workplace. The above incident is a
prime example: Larry Cooper is the only African American working in a
predominantly Latino workforce at the Commerce, California facility of ADS
Logistics (headquartered in Homewood, Illinois). LULAC, as a civil rights
organization, came to Larry's assistance because it is against racism
whether perpetrated by Caucasians, African Americans, Asians, or Latinos.
Racism is racism and we need to ERASE RACISM from our society.
In addition to being subjected to having racist graffiti painted on the wall of the
bathroom, Cooper previously had the "N" word written on his locker. Now, he
is being cold shouldered by other employees. He also alleges that African
American truck drivers have to wait hours for their trucks to be loaded while
other drivers get prompt and efficient service. Additionally, the day after
African American job applicants were told there were no jobs, management
went out and recruited casual laborers from a Home Depot parking lot!
California LULAC has demanded answers from ADS's President and law firm
about the way the company is responding to Cooper's complaints and is
assisting him to file charges with government agencies over these injustices.
At the May 2004 State Conference of California LULAC, a resolution was
passed unanimously endorsing AB 1617, introduced by Assembly Member
Cindy Montanez (D-39th AD). In doing so, CA LULAC joined the bill's sponsor,
San Fernando Valley/Northeast Los Angeles Chapter of NOW, Alameda
Corridor Jobs Coalition, California Association of Licensed Investigators,
National Center for Lesbian Rights, and many other individuals and
organizations that want to put teeth into laws that combat harassment and
discrimination in the workplace. The principles of AB 1617 were later
adopted by resolution of the LULAC National Convention.
Unfortunately, AB 1617 died when it encountered intense opposition from
employer organizations who were reluctant to make a serious effort to root
out unfair workplace practices. California LULAC will continue to fight for fair
employment legislation.
Click here to see ADS Logistics' Response to Larry's
Accusations
Click here to listen to Larry's Response to what ADS Logistics'
Lawyer had to say!
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| ISSUES |
| THE NAACP HAS SYMBOLICALLY BURIED THE "N" WORD, BUT AT ADS LOGISTICS, A NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION AND WAREHOUSING FIRM, THE WORKERS HAVEN'T CALIFORNIA LULAC IS MAKING SURE THAT MANAGEMENT GETS IT LOUD & CLEAR!!! |
| CLICK HERE FOR RACIST SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO'S CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT--See who contributed to his Million Dollar Plus Warchest! |