(NAME-MCE) Murder of Luis Ramirez Requires National Action

[Anselmo Villanueva]

For complete story and video, go to:

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=100826

Story below is from MALDEF
The *Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational
Fund*<http://www.maldef.org/>

*Murder of Luis Ramirez Requires
National Action
**MALDEF assists family and community *

AUGUST 8, 2008 - On July 12, Luis Ramirez, a 25-year-old Mexican immigrant
residing in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, was beaten and stomped to death.
Witnesses overheard anti-Mexican and ethnic epithets shouted by his
assailants.  This violent hate crime is a tragic example of the growing and
virulent anti-immigrant sentiment heard and felt around the nation.  We must
put a stop to it.

In the days following his murder, MALDEF called upon U.S. Attorney General
Michael Mukasey, the United States Attorney's Office, and the Federal Bureau
of Investigation to conduct a full and fair federal investigation, and to
bring appropriate criminal charges against those responsible.  MALDEF also
called for the dispatch of representatives from the Department of Justice
Community Relations Service to quell community tensions.  The Department of
Justice subsequently opened a federal civil rights investigation and
dispatched CRS representatives to Shenandoah.  MALDEF organized a vigil and
press conference in memory of Luis Ramirez together with local community
members, and focused national attention on the significance of this hate
crime specifically, and those against Latinos generally.  MALDEF provided
much needed legal support to Luis Ramirez's fiancé and their children in the
aftermath of this tragedy.

While local officials initially attempted to minimize the ethnic aspects of
the murder, the county district attorney filed murder and ethnic
intimidation charges against three local teenagers.  Charging documents and
eyewitness accounts indicate that Luis Ramirez suffered racial slurs as the
perpetrators punched and kicked  his body and head causing him to foam at
the mouth, to sustain two skull fractures, and ultimately, to die.  The
death of Luis Ramirez has repercussions beyond his family and community.
The FBI Hate Crimes Statistics Report documents that hate crimes against
Latinos have increased by 35% over the past several years.  We must prevent
these crimes from happening and demand prosecution and punishment to the
full extent of the law when they do.

MALDEF will continue to assist Luis Ramirez's family and Latinos in the
Shenandoah community as the criminal case goes forward.  Luis Ramirez's
death elevates the importance of strong hate crimes laws and enforcement and
exposes the depth of hostilities immigrants face all too often.

MALDEF has worked this year on the recent introduction of federal
legislation to improve the integration of immigrants into cities, towns and
communities across the country.  S.3334/H.R.6617, introduced by Senator
Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Representative Mike Honda (D-CA), Representative
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Representative Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) will
authorize the creation of immigrant integration councils bringing together
local leaders from labor, business, education, faith, ethnic and other walks
of life to promote education, job training, civic engagement and broader
interaction of immigrants and the wider community.  Tough prosecution of
hate crimes and avenues to empower immigrants in their new communities can
make a difference.

MALDEF will represent the family of Luis Ramirez and will do all that we can
to ensure that justice is done.  We call on you to help ensure the safety
and advancement of immigrants in your own city or town.  Call your Senator
and Member of Congress today and ask them to cosponsor S.3334/H.R.6617. Send
the message that the demonization of Latinos and immigrants must desist, our
civil rights must be protected, and our contributions to the community must
be respected.

*Founded in 1968, MALDEF, the nation's leading Latino legal organization,
promotes and protects the rights of Latinos through litigation, advocacy,
community education and outreach, leadership development and higher
education scholarships.*

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