Throughout the healthcare debate on March 20th, Tea Party demonstrators targeted House Democrats with homophobic and racist slurs. Activists spit on Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri, cast racist epithets at civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, and jeered at openly gay Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts.
In response, a Latino group called “Cuéntame,” whose members generate cultural media for progressive, U.S.-based Latinos, posted a video on Facebook last week logging the behavior of the Tea Party members. The group also solicited viewers’ signatures for an online petition to the heads of the Republican Party, requesting that they apologize for encouraging offensive demonstrators. The footage, produced by Brave New Foundation, portrays Republican legislators brandishing signs and cheering on the horde of Tea Party demonstrators.
Cuéntame has also posted three videos demonstrating how the Tea Baggers scapegoat and vilify Latinos and other minority groups.
By Nicole Catá, Policy Intern
Bravo! Not only should they apologize, they should officially censure those who stood on the balcony and encouraged racism and intolerance.
http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_slow_march_toward_immigration_reform
An interesting look at how the rise of the Tea Party may affect popular views on immigrants.
Great post! One wonders if this grassroots conservative movement and civility can coexist.