Critics of Arizona's sometimes harsh anti-immigration rhetoric have made Mesa the focus of a countermovement to ease tensions and spark a more moderate form of debate.
The effort is based on a similar movement in Utah that's gained national attention for bringing together business, religious, civic, law enforcement groups and even politicians. Called the Utah Compact, the effort hatched last year as a reaction to Arizona's immigration debate and the law making it a crime for undocumented immigrants to be in the state.
Daniel Martinez said Mesa is the target because it's the home of Senate President Russell Pearce, the Republican who has gained national prominence for his anti-immigration stance. Pearce could not be reached for comment on Friday.
Martinez is a spokesman for the East Valley Patriots for American Values, which has asked Mesa to endorse the Utah Compact. The group hopes a Mesa victory would propel a campaign through the East Valley and beyond.
"We're trying to get people from all walks of life to sit down and talk about the immigration dilemma that we have so we can respect each other and move toward a better solution, and we think the Utah Compact is a good framework for that," Martinez said.
The compact's fathers recognized the nation's immigration policies are broken. The five-point document calls on a federal focus to strengthen the border and laws, avoiding the unnecessary breakup of families and respect for immigrants. Also, it calls for police to "focus on criminal activities, not civil violations of federal code."
Polls show strong support for last year's SB 1070 and for the politicians who support it.
But if groups around Arizona supported something like the Utah Compact, lawmakers would likely reconsider how they speak about immigration and even which laws they would try to pass, Mesa Councilman Dennis Kavanaugh said.
"Quite honestly, if local communities step up to the plate and endorse the compact, that's an important statement for policymakers to consider," Kavanaugh said. "I understand that often municipal governments don't find a lot of friends in the Legislature, but when it's your businesses groups, your faith communities, your neighborhood groups, your educational groups - that's an important coalition that's difficult to ignore."
Kavanaugh asked Mesa's Human Relations Advisory Board to consider the issue last week, and the group agreed to begin studying it.
The board doesn't take a position on immigration legislation, but member Rory Gilbert said Mesa Mayor Scott Smith has asked its members to foster a civil dialogue in Mesa. Talking about immigration is a logical part of Smith's call, she said.
The board will likely spend months studying it, she said, and does not want to rush a decision.
"What is important is we take our time, that we ask the questions we do need to ask so that when we do make recognition to the City Council, they trust they have been well researched," Gilbert said.
The City Council could then take up the issue. Kavanaugh noted the council passes the overwhelming majority of recommendations that bubble up from advisory boards.
Many cities have spoken out against SB 1070, but not necessarily from the standpoint of immigration policy. Rather, they consider it an unfunded mandate that places a burden on police.
The East Valley Patriots also have spoken to elected officials in Chandler and Tempe, but not with a specific request yet. Martinez said the group has been working slowly, noting it plans a Facebook presence but hasn't created a page yet. He believes the group's work will lead to civil conversations about immigration across Mesa and other cities. The city has been receptive so far, he said.
"We're taking it one step at a time," Martinez said. "We're trying to do it right and we're not raising a shrill voice. We want to be respectful and civil, like we want everybody else to be."
Butters posted at 4:12 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
Daniel Martinez, we do NOT want your rhetoric garbage. We, legal citizens of Mesa, want the illegal aliens OUT of Mesa. They are ruining our city and our way of life. If would be different if they would assimilate, but they don't. So, unless your rhetoric is all about speeding up the process to deport the illegal invaders, you can shove it.
cactusjumper posted at 4:31 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
Why don't the illegals clean up and take charge of thier own country instead of coming here, commiting $millions of crime, stealing from our taxes by getting FREE EVERYTHING and acting like they are ENTITLED to it. Hey illegals, grow a couple , go back to your toilet and clean your sewer. Americans are TIRED of being forced to raise and care for you kind. Man up and grow a couple.
U_don't_know_Jack posted at 5:05 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
Why do illegal aliens always whine about "immigration reform"??.....The "legal" immigration laws have always worked well for those who are not breaking the law. What we DO need is to enforce the laws we have, deport those who are here illegally, close down businesses who knowingly hire illegal aliens, and confiscate any real property owned by illegals in this country, and auction it off to reimburse states, cities and counties for the costs of deporting said illegals. It may sound harsh and extreme for some namby pamby liberals, but might serve as a deterrent for any prospective border crashers.
EmperorSmith posted at 6:36 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
6 down. like a witch a black mass.
ernie13x posted at 6:42 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
Thank you Daniel Martinez for your brave efforts to bring civility and common sense into this complex equation. Your dialogue is a breath of fresh air from the hateful white supremist messages and lies we're bombarded with daily. They've successfully divided the people and cost this state millions of dollars. All that's been gained thus far is our reputation as a mecca of hatred both nationaly and world-wide. Mayor Smith, Councilman Kavanaugh, I thank you both so very much as well!
Accuracy posted at 6:49 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
As Garin Groff wrote: “Called the Utah Compact, the effort hatched last year as a reaction to Arizona's immigration debate and the law making it a crime for undocumented immigrants to be in the state.”
------------------------------------------------
The Utah Compact?? Even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has not signed the Utah Compact.
Utah Compact for “Amnesty”: Yes, the same Utah Compact (immigration-policy statement) that Daniel Martinez, a retired educator, asked the Mesa City Council to endorse.
The “Utah Compact” groups/supporters are for amnesty for all of the illegal immigrants that are here . . . and that will not solve our immigration problems.
az2008 posted at 6:57 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
If a Honduran tried to "bring civility" to illegal immigration in Mexico he'd find himself hanging from an overpass, beheaded.
We're pretty darn civil when all we want is for immigration laws to be *enforced* and all nationalities to have a fair chance at contributing to our "melting pot." One nationality cutting to the head of the line, and dominating the mix of the "melt" is itself uncivil and an act of racial and national superiority. (Particularly when it's defended by groups like "La Raza," which shamelessly promotes the interests of "the race.").
EmperorSmith posted at 7:11 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
NOW 2 TIMES ENJOYMENT. COME IN MY HOUSE SHOT/
Dale Whiting posted at 7:16 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
Daniel Martinez, we do want your rhetoric HERE. We, legal citizens of Mesa, welcome the illegal aliens in Mesa just like Christ welcomes all of his own. They are adding to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our city and our way of life. If will be a wonderful thing when theyare helped by us to assimilate, but do to the attitutes of many of our SB1070 citizens, they don't. So, where your rhetoric is all about extending a hand to speed up the process of assimilation of these illegal but welcomed guests, we welcome it.
Some of us ask "Why don't the illegals clean up and take charge of thier own country instead of coming here, commiting $millions of crime, stealing from our taxes by getting FREE EVERYTHING and acting like they are ENTITLED to it." They shout "Hey illegals, grow a couple , go back to your toilet and clean your sewer." Those have never lived south of the border and experienced the hardships found there. Where Christ has challenged us to feed and care for these less privileged we Americans should never tire of being given an opportunity to help raise and care for this kind of human being.
Some wonder why "Why do those who are more simpathetic to illegal aliens always whine about "immigration reform"??.....The are not illegal aliens and probably have never met with, worked with or been called upon to help illegal aliens. Few have met legal aliens.
Although the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has not signed the Utah Compact it has endorsed it unofficially. Mormons proselyte in Mexico and view Mexicans as fellow Saints.
Dale Whiting posted at 7:17 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
Yes, all of you hate mongers out there. each coin has two sides.
EmperorSmith posted at 7:36 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
Mexico should allow guns,
samkat posted at 8:13 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
Ernie and dale: How about taking in a few illegals and pay for their medical, dental and welfare as well as non resident tuition for their children so we taxpayers are not stuck with the bill. As for the Utah Compact, they can stuff it.
Tookie88 posted at 8:50 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
This topic angers me so much because the news skews everything. They are talking about ILLEGAL immigrants...not LEGAL immigrants - lets stop getting that confused!!! We don't need reform, we don't need amnesty...what we need is enforcement of the laws we have and to deport the ILLEGAL immigrants who are bleeding the southwestern states dry!
I agree with an earlier post about assimilation. They don't assimilate because they aren't even supposed to be in this country! If they assimilated, they would be discovered.
I am a teacher and I see this lack of assimilation every day! We have so many other people from other countries (Russia, China, Vietnam, Korea, etc) and they learn the langauge and most kids are proficient in English within a year...why does it seem that the Hispanic culture can't seem to do this?
Legal immigrants have to be educated, immunized, and show that they can actually add something to this country. We are seeing diseases in this state occur that have not been heard of in almost 50 years!
ENFORCE THE LAWS WE HAVE! Shame on the Federal government for not protecting it's own people and it's borders....shame on the employers who knowingly hire them....shame on the police & ICE for passing the blame back and forth on whose jurisdication this falls under. Shame on the druggies who use drugs that are coming in through Mexico. Shame on anyone who is not upset over being taken advantage of by another country.
DrunkenMonkey posted at 9:43 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
"Daniel Martinez, we do want your rhetoric HERE. We, legal citizens of Mesa, welcome the illegal aliens in Mesa just like Christ welcomes all of his own"....
uhhhh....no we don't.
Give it a rest and speak for yourself... you represent no one.
ernie13x posted at 10:08 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
Tookie, you're a teacher and you can't spell "language"? What were you saying about "assimilation"? Samkat-I've been paying for Medicare for years and have no affordable health care of my own. I'd gladly continue paying to keep others of the HUMAN race alive. Even bigots like you. To the white supremists running this State, controlling small minds like yours is like shooting fish in a barrel. Sooo easy. To coin a phrase: "Dude, you've been punk'd!"
KevinMyrers posted at 10:56 pm on Sat, Feb 26, 2011.
Utah Compact is just a fancy name for Sanctuary City! Sanctuary cities are illegal under SB1070. Remember, before you get all hyper and excited and say "SB1070 is caught up in court!!!" the portion of SB1070 that outlaws sanctuary cities was not been put on hold by the courts ans is in full force. Have a good day, you are going to need it.
k33j88 posted at 5:53 am on Sun, Feb 27, 2011.
Here are a few questions for all here to ponder. When a "dirty bomb" takes out a few city blocks, will ones' "compassion" towards illegals be questioned? Are they just coming here for a "better life"? Would student, work, visitation visas be revoked? Would there be military troops on the border? Would the constitution be suspended and marshall law be imposed? What about the "otms'" (other than mexicans)? Should we "not" profile? Inquiring minds want to know.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 7:48 am on Sun, Feb 27, 2011.
Folks, don't you just love the "biased, yellow journalism" shown by the reporter who wrote this article...."Arizona's sometimes HARSH rhetoric"..."reaction to Arizona's immigration debate and the law making it a crime for undocumented immigrants to be in this state".
Would some one please tell this reporter since he didn't bother researching the FACTS that SB 1070 calls for the ENFORCEMENT OF THE FEDERAL ANTI-ILLEGAL ALIEN LAW THAT HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS SINCE THE 1920'S.
There are now DOZENS and DOZENS of cities, Counties and States across our Nation calling for ENFORCEMENT of the FEDERAL ANTI-ILLEGAL ALIEN LAW.
These DEMOCRATS, LIBERALS, LEFT-WING SOCIALISTS do not want DIALOGUE/CIVIL DISCOURSE.....they want one thing and one thing only .....100% ILLEGAL ALIEN AMNESTY.
As for Mesa City Councilman (defeated Mesa Mayor candidate too) Kavanaugh who represents Mesa's...."ILLEGAL ALIEN SANCTUARY CITY AREA"...that we have ex-Police Chief and current San Francisco City Attorney George "Jorge" Gascon and Mesa Mayor Scott ..."HAND ME A SOMBRERO SO I CAN OPEN ANOTHER MEXICAN SUPERMARKET IN SOUTH-CENTRAL MESA"....Smith.....(by the way folks, Mayor Scott Smith is looking to be your next Congressman or Senator...can you beleive that).....to thank for the thousands of ILLEGAL ALIENS to our beloved City of Mesa.
Lastly............Mr. Reporter............THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN...................UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT.....THE CORRECT DESCRIPTIVE TERM IS...........ILLEGAL ALIEN.
beefrits posted at 8:10 am on Sun, Feb 27, 2011.
An open message to Russell Pearce:
Don't waiver. Don't let up.
Keep up the good work.
KevinMyrers posted at 9:23 am on Sun, Feb 27, 2011.
@ernie13x, prime example of Godwin's law. Google it.
next up posted at 10:09 am on Sun, Feb 27, 2011.
Daniel Martinez, when civility can come from the left like your buddies La Raza etc, than we can sit down and have an adult conversation about this issue. The cost of illegal immigration is killing this city, this state and nation. There are great people who come here, but like everyone else, there is a system that needs to be respected and adhered too. Again, we can talk all we want, but unless the law is enforced, nothing is going to be done. I wonder in the long run how this topic and stance affects our cities and states economy in the long run.
Poorman posted at 11:21 am on Sun, Feb 27, 2011.
Yep,Martinez belongs with trouble maker Reza,You can't deal or talk with illegals,they can even understand we don't want illegals here period.How can you talk to anyone who can't even grasp or understand that simple thing.
whonew posted at 2:28 pm on Sun, Feb 27, 2011.
And Martinez has the gall to use the phrase "unnessacary breakup of families and RESPECT of immigrants" !! Where the hell does the respect come from on the other side? Just who does he think he's talking too? It just burns me up that someone like this can voice his unwanted opinion and be in a position to feel like he's doing a good job of shoving it down peoples throat. Again, as mentioned time and time again, this is about illegal and breaking the law !
followJesus posted at 3:45 pm on Sun, Feb 27, 2011.
These posts is why we need a counter-point! Unbelievable hatred and hypocrisy.
You are all for law and order, but you don't want photo radar. Hmm. Use the technology on the border though.
You love the constitution, but you can't stand the 14th Amendment.
You want to blame illegal immigration for all our problems, but kicking people out has never created a single job.
It would be great if our state leaders would actually do something other than trying to do what they have NO business doing...ie continuing their immigration legislation.
All this does is punishes the weak and poor in the state. It does not enhance the state at all.
Russell and Joe, if you want to do the fed's job so bad, RUN for Federal Office.
I understand that we need immigration reform, but becoming our own xenophobic nation of AZ is not the way...
JackalopeJoe posted at 6:28 pm on Sun, Feb 27, 2011.
WE DON'T WANT NO STINKIN COUNTERMOVEMENT!
WE DON'T HAVE NO STINKIN COUNTERMOVEMENT!!
WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN COUNTERMOVEMENT!!
Cerulean posted at 6:38 pm on Sun, Feb 27, 2011.
Thank-you Mr. Martinez. You have a very patient attitude.
Gilbert said "The board will likely spend months studying it, and does not want to rush a decision."
Really? months? that seems a little excessive to me.
SB 1070, is an unfunded mandate that places a burden on police. Just ask Babeu, he has said that he would rather not have that added burden.
samkat posted at 7:00 pm on Sun, Feb 27, 2011.
Good old Ernie: He has to bring up the time worn and inappropriate racist, bigot and Nazi comments because he knows he has no valid argument for defending illegal immigration. By the way Ernie, I have a Hispanic son-in-law who is also a retired military veteran as well as one of his brothers and his father. The other brother served in the military and then went to work for the Border Patrol many years ago. I have a Hispanic daughter-in-law who is a long time teacher. Guess what? They also oppose illegal immigration.
PS: I paid into Medicare for far longer than you. I have to ask why our meager Medicare/Medicaid dollars have to be spent caring for people who are here illegally. Give them the first treatment and then humanely ship them back home.
I also served in our military to defend our borders and our citizens. What have you done besides sit back and complain about people who care about the rampart invasion of our borders? Why should these people get to move to the head of the line over those who have applied for legal entry?
Tookie: We all make some typing errors, even good old Ernie. We forgive you. [smile]
Lenapelou posted at 11:08 pm on Sun, Feb 27, 2011.
Good old Samkat:
I can match every one of your historical credits, plus one up you in that I had folks fight at Gettysburg, for the north, not the south. If you are such lover of this country and its heritage, then why to do you support the Arizona racists? Here is the real problem, your party, along with some democrats, decided 25 years ago to allow China and others to take over the world manufacturing wise. We now have an economic house of cards. We created an economy on run on debit, which today in 2011, can no longer afford any large government program. When you run a trade deficient of several trillion every year, for 15 years, what did you think was going to happen? But do you think for one second the Republican party is ever going to support defeating these trade bills? Let get out house in order , remember what Popgo said, " we have met the enemy, and he is us."
DrunkenMonkey posted at 6:31 am on Mon, Feb 28, 2011.
I caught that too Slab... I wondered why he was saying "We, legal citizens of Mesa".
Freethinker posted at 7:40 am on Tue, Mar 1, 2011.
Dale Whiting bleated:
"We, legal citizens of Mesa, welcome the illegal aliens in Mesa just like Christ welcomes all of his own"
Poor Dale, he doesn't know his own Bronze-Age mythical savior very well - Christ only welcomed THOSE THAT ACCEPTED HIM - and to Hell with the rest.
And Dale, I have my doubts as to whether you are a LEGAL citizen of Mesa...since aiding and abetting illegal aliens is a crime.
Masterrogue666 posted at 8:47 am on Tue, Mar 1, 2011.
Garin: A more accurate term would be "ILLEGAL ALIEN" or "INVADING FOREIGN NATIONAL". To become "undocumented", you'd first have to be documented. Since that isn't the case, they shouldn't be called "undocumented".
'The compact's fathers recognized the nation's immigration policies are broken. The five-point document calls on a federal focus to strengthen the border and laws, avoiding the unnecessary breakup of families and respect for immigrants. Also, it calls for police to "focus on criminal activities, not civil violations of federal code."'
-- I'm all for a stronger border! As to the "breakup of families", blame those that BROKE THE LAW, not those that enforce it. They are aware of what may happen, so they only have THEMSELVES to blame. As for respect for them, where is THEIR RESPECT FOR OUR LAWS? I'm not about to "respect" anyone that doesn't respect my rights or our laws. Also, are you aware that those that cross the border ILLEGALLY more than once have committed a FELONY? Isn't a felony considered "criminal"?
THE TRUTH is that they want amnesty. It was suppose to happen ONLY ONCE when President Regan granted it. NO MORE AMNESTY!!!!
Dale wrote: "Where Christ has challenged us to feed and care for these less privileged we Americans should never tire of being given an opportunity to help raise and care for this kind of human being." -- First, where's MY RIGHT to RELIGIOUS FREEDOM? Why are you trying to force YOUR BELIEFS upon me? If you wish to assist, so be it. Stop trying to force me to assist!!! SB1070's has had MILLIONS of dollars DONATED to it. Where's there a fund created to donate to ILLEGAL ALIENS? You want to give, create it, and give there. I'm tired of my tax dollars going to NON-CITIZENS that have an entitlement attitude. Also, don't forget there's suppose to be a seperation of CHURCH and GOVERNMENT. When churchs, et al start paying taxes, then (and only then) should their voice be heard. Finally, I didn't need to go "south of the border" to endure hardship. I came from a large, POOR family. And because of my ancestry, I NEVER RECEIVED ANY AID. I EARNED what I have, ILLEGAL ALIENS can't say the same.
Lenapelou: I also had relatives support the Union, and I believe ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS should receive the boot!! They are INVADING FOREIGN NATIONALS! They aren't citizens of this country. Millions of other people EARNED THE RIGHT of citizenship. Why can't they? Also, Unions have hurt this country, because it became LESS EXPENSIVE to make things in another country and import it. By the way, I'm neither Republican or Democrat, and both groups are guilty in one way or another....
whonew posted at 3:00 am on Wed, Mar 2, 2011.
theres an arab, mexican, and arizona girl sitting in a bar. the mexican girl drinks her shot throws her glass in the air pulls out her pistol shoots the glass to pieces, and says, in mexico glass is so cheap we dont need to drink from the same one twice.
the arab, impressed with this, drinks her shot(a non alcoholic bev~muslim you know),pulls out her ak-47 throws her glass in the air shoots it to pieces and claims there is so much sand to make glasses with that she doesnt have to drink from the same one twice either.
the arizona girl cool as can be, picks up her beer, downs it, sits her glass down pulls out her 45 and shoots the mexican and the arab exclaiming "there are so many illegals in arizona we dont have to drink with the same one twice!"
Ancient 6 posted at 11:01 am on Sat, Mar 5, 2011.
Freethinker. Christ accepted everyone. His "followers" do not. Read a little New Testament.
Ancient 6 posted at 11:04 am on Sat, Mar 5, 2011.
And it was politics that got him killed - he was poular among the people and it was feared that he would "run" for King.
Masterrogue666 posted at 9:38 pm on Mon, Mar 7, 2011.
whonew: FUNNY! And sadly, it would be accurate....
angels343 posted at 10:45 pm on Fri, Mar 11, 2011.
I am a human and I do feel for people trying to better their lives but they do have to do it the right way just like any other country coming to the US. I see legal citizens suffering on disability as they can not get extr help from the state medicaid. But if you are an illegal you have no problem getting help. We need stop funding their medical and paying taxes for their children to go to school. If we did this then our people would not be suffering like they are now. And the gov. is going to be cutting more from medicaid so that the President can have his way and continue to pay for illegals. I am outraged at this. We cannot have President Obama as a President again, he is putting on a face right now and if he gets in we are all in big trouble, and this is where we will really see him for what he really is. Its bad enough now. Something needs to be done. People need to come forward and get on the news and speak what they feel and have it repeated so that all can hear not just a 3 minute segmant. The media is getting in most cases bought out. We are living in a socialist country and it will only get worse. Get Him OUT. Birth ceritificate for all befor next Presidential race, then he has no excuse. Im sick about what is going on all over the United States of America and I want my country back NOW