Greetings, Colorado Progressive Coalition friends and members.  CPC joined with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition in this September 21, 2007 statement of solidarity with the "Jena 6," the six young African-American men who are facing trumped up criminal charges from a rural district attorney in Jena, Louisiana.

This case reminds many of us of the Jim Crow days of systemic discrimination and connects to CPC's ongoing work - through our Rights and Juvenile Justice Education Project - to confront the over-representation of Black and Latino youth in Colorado's juvenile justice system.  Our own James Johnson, CPC's Civic Engagement Director and a leader in efforts to build bridges between Colorado's African-American and immigrant justice communities, is quoted below.    ~ Bill Vandenberg, for CPC

CIRCColorado Immigrant Rights Coalition
(303) 893-3500 •  3131 W. 14th St   •  Denver, CO   •  80204

For Immediate Release
Friday, September 21, 2007

Colorado Immigrant Coalition Stands in Solidarity with the Jena 6 Struggle

"Recent Acts of Racism in Colorado also Condemned”

Statement of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC):

Racism is real in America. The case of six black Louisiana teenagers receiving unequal justice because of the color of their skin has shocked this nation and has given rise to a renewed struggle for racial justice. Unfortunately, this blatant injustice is an all too familiar occurrence in the lives of people of color. In our immigrant communities, we understand the sting of racism and live with it every day.

The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition—a multi-racial alliance of immigrant and ally organizations—stands in solidarity with the families of the Jena Six and with the struggle for justice that has sprung up around them.

“The case of the Jena 6 proves that racism is still alive and well in America,” said Rev. Patrick Demmer of Graham Memorial Community Church, “Our immigrant brothers and sisters also share a deep understanding of what that kind of racism feels like. We must unite to eliminate such racism from our society.

“Today, we declare that we stand in solidarity against the evil that permits racism to determine the steps to justice,” said Butch Montoya with the Latino faith initiative, H.S. Power and Light, 

“We have to recognize that the same injustice of overcharging people of color is also happening right here in Colorado,” said James Johnson with the Colorado Progressive Coalition, “Just look at the recent accident involving a young man in Greeley, who is being unfairly charged as an adult.”

“It is troubling that recent acts of racism, such as the ‘White Power’ statements made in Colorado schools and the Jena 6 incidents, were all committed by youth,” says Julie Gonzales, a youth organizer with Padres y Jovenes Unidos, “As youth, as people of color, as immigrants, as low-income people, and as parents and families, we are in this together to fight for justice for all people.”

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