THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
www.cagreens.org
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Contact: Sara Amir, spokesperson 310.270-7106
saraamir@earthlink.net
Pat Driscoll, spokesperson 916.320-6430 patp@sonicfrog.com
Susan King, spokesperson 415.823-5524 funking@mindspring.com
Cres Vellucci, GPCA press secretary 916.996-9170
Use of National Guard to militarize border sends
wrong signal, won't resolve immigration situation, say Green Party congressional
candidates
SACRAMENTO -- 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) <http://www.kravitzforcongress.org>.
"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
<http://www.krissyforcongress.com>),
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 <http://www.delearforcongress.org>).
