Find our press releases, op-eds, daily activities and events at Shirl Mora James Immigration Law Blog, Mexican-American Times or SOMOS INDEPENDENTS
The National Tequila Party
Movement is a woman-led political movement. More females vote in
Presidential elections than men and the strong Latina matriarch is
emerging and we want to communicate to the Latina matriarchs across the
nation with regard to our message of compassion towards immigrants and
legal immigration reform.
The Tequila Party is currently organizing a national tour of concerts, events, dinners and rallies that will encourage a massive Latino Get Out The Vote and political participation. This movement is a non-partisan movement. We don't care how people vote, we just want them to get on the early ballot system, become consistent primary and general election voters.
President: Shirl Mora James, Civil Rights and Immigration Lawyer
Foundress, Immediate Past President: DeeDee Garcia Blase
Executive Director: Margaret Reyes
Since the formation of the Tequila Party (counter movement to extreme Tea Party movement), Shirl Mora James and DeeDee Garcia Blase have formed the independent group SOMOS INDEPENENTS. SOMOS (we are) INDEPENDENTS wants to bring the Nation together because
there is a clear failure of the 2 major Party system that is destroying
the fabric of unity that our Nation should continue to be established
on.
Mission Statement
A movement to celebrate Latin culture while promoting a massive non-partisan national Latino 2012 voter registration drive. To promote participation in the early ballot system. To increase political awareness that will increase participation during the Primary Elections as well as the General Elections.
National Latino Group Responds to SB 1070 Supreme Court Decision — Not a good day for Gov. Brewer , ousted Sen. Russell Pearce, and Kris Kobach
From the National Tequila Party Movement
25 June 2012
info@nationaltequilapartymovement.com
Shirl Mora James, Lead Co-President, Civil Rights and Immigration Lawyer
Phoenix, AZ — The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution is alive and well today. The US Supreme Court clearly reaffirmed that immigration is within the preview of federal jurisdiction only. Arizona completely lost on the question of 1) undocumented immigrant registration; 2) undocumented immigrant employment; 3) law enforcement officers arresting without a warrant. The 4th provision regarding “papers please” was only narrowly upheld because the Court does not have the necessary facts to determine if the law is valid. The Court stated, “This opinion does not foreclose other preemption and constitutional challenges to the law as interpreted and applied after it goes into effect.” In other words the Court did not have the necessary facts in front of them at this time, but the issue is being left with the door wide open.
Ultimately Arizona et al. vs. the United States reiterated, “…as a
general rule it is not a crime for a removable person to remain present
in the United States.”
The National Tequila Party Movement (Latina counter movement to the Tea Party movement) is pleased with this ruling. The 4th provision will be challenged as soon as it is implemented. We are confident the Supreme Court will uphold our Civil Rights.
###
According to the Wall Street Journal:
"... the Hispanic population grew faster than expected and accounted for more than half of the nation's growth over the past decade, with the group's increase driven by births and immigration. The Census Bureau—in its first nationwide demographic tally from the 2010 headcount—said Thursday the U.S. Hispanic population surged 43%, rising to 50.5 million in 2010 from 35.3 million in 2000."
We need to be better voters. This is why we believe the Tequila Party Tour is a critical movement to work towards a massive 2012 National Latino Get Out the Vote Initiative. We have leaders in place in all high Latino populated states and we are strengthening our ties with all organizations who want to participate in this important crusade.
Several politicians from across the country have complained that Latinos are not dependable Primary Election voters. We believe that is changing. The Tequila Party is a non-partisan movement and a calling to get all eligible Latino voters on the early ballot system so that we can effectively vote both in the primary elections as well as the general elections.
What are the issues important to Latinos?
1. Immigration - It's broken. Let's fix it!
2. Economy/Jobs
3. Education
According to the Wall Street Journal, the immigration
issue is now the #1 issue for Latins due to the increased forced
separation of families and deportations. There is also an increase in
hate crimes and racial profiling incidents where Sheriff officers are abusing millions and millions of 287(g) tax payer monies.
In order for Latinos to push for fixing a broken system and legalizing
immigration, we acknowledge and accept the responsibility to be more
politically aware and engaged. We believe the immigration issue has
been used as a
political football, and as a result of that we think it is time for
politicians to work harder for the Latin vote based on issues that are
important to us.
The man who inspired us to initiate the Tequila Party is Fernando Romero, who is a long time Democratic Latino activist in the state of Nevada. He swirled the idea but nothing really came into fruition since six months ago. As the 2012 Presidential Elections comes underway, we decided to launch the Tequila Party Movement on Cinco de Mayo 2011. We reached out to Fernando Romero and told him he was our inspiration, and he is flattered we acknowledge him as our inspiration.
NATIONAL TEQUILA PARTY TOUR
