La Fortaleza
Fuerte Arts Movement’s Bi-Weekly E-Zine
BLACK IS…
“I MUST ALWAYS REMIND MYSELF I AM BLACK AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR ME, AND THE WORLD IS CONSTANTLY REMINDING ME I’M BLACK AND WHAT THAT MEANS TO THEM”
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
- Immigration
- Attacks on Our Voting Rights
- Reproductive Rights
- Beware of Fake Covid Sites
- COVID-19 Leaving Valley Businesses Behind: Film Bar
- D.C Statehood by Daniel Orona
- Food Assistance
- Events
Welcome to
La Fortaleza
Welcome to the first edition of the Fuerte Arts Movement newsletter, La Fortaleza! Fuerte Arts Movement is a non-profit dedicated to empowering our community through all forms of digital media. We believe that a strong and prosperous future for marginalized communities comes from radical empathy. This is only possible through honest, raw, and genuine storytelling. The Fuerte team is excited to have you connect with us!
Immigration
Fuerte participated in a community meeting led by United We Dream to learn more about Biden’s Immigration Actions. Here is what is new:
The bill provides a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented people without further funding to the detention and deportation machine, ICE and CPB, it expedites citizenship for immigrant youth (DACA recipients), TPS holders and farmworkers, creating a direct pathway to green cards and citizenship within 3 years.
The Biden administration also reversed Trump’s executive order that excluded undocumented people from the 2020 Census. Undocumented people will continue to be counted as part of the community!
Finally, the infamous Refugee Ban, also shamefully known as the “Muslim Ban”, was revoked along with the construction of the Border wall work has been halted.
The Liberian DED (Deferred Enforced Departure) now allows Libians to stay in the U.S and apply for citizenship.
Moratorium on most deportation in the next 100 days (April 30th, 2021). People with final orders of removal will have their cases reviewed.
Attack on Arizona’s Voting Rights
2.9 million Arizona voters have long been accustomed to receiving ballots and voting by mail because of its accessibility, especially during the chaos of a worldwide pandemic. In the most recent Arizona legislature, this popular method of voting is being threatened by lawmakers with the introduction of SB 1069. The enactment of this bill, presented by Republican Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita, would remove voters on the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) who have not voted with an early ballot in both the primary and general election for two consecutive primary and general elections for which there was a federal, statewide, or legislative race on the ballot. Those that wish to stay on the PEVL would need to confirm by contacting their local recorder, or elections official, by writing. This would result in less voter participation, meaning less representation for marginalized communities. Since then, there are more than 30+ bills that have been introduced that threaten the access to democracy. Arizonans must come together to stop them!
Reproductive Rights
January 22nd marked the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade!
The freedom to reproductive rights was celebrated but is still at risk of being overturned locally.
Republican House Representative Walt Blackman, District 6, recently introduced HB2650, a bill that would allow attorneys to accuse women and doctors who perform an abortion to be charged with first degree remeditated murder, which could warrant the death penatly.
Other Republican state Representatives who are co-sponsoring the bill alongside Blackman are
Brenda Barton (LD 6 – Snowflake), Shawnna Bolick (LD 20 – Phoenix), David Cook (LD 8 – Florence), Judy Berges (LD 1 – Prescott), Frank Carroll (LD 22 – Sun City), Jake Hoffman (LD 12 – Gilbert), and Ben Toma (LD 22 – Sun City).
Many democratic and pro-choice leaders in the communty have voiced that this bill is a direct attack on reproductive freedom, that should not be considered further.
It is vital to continue to stand up and elect leaders who will defend reproductive rights. Ensuring safe reproductive healthcare, including the right to an abortion, should be accessible to everyone and everywhere.
BEWARE!
Fake Covid testing clinics have been popping up in different areas of the valley. Be cautious in providing medical, personal, sensitive information at these clinics.
Some good practices:
-Do not provide any info to anyone claiming to offer HHS grants
-Beware of scammers offering tests or items related to COVID-19
-Make sure the clinic you intend to visit is an official testing sites
“ AARP’s Fraud Watch Network can help you spot and avoid scams. Sign up for free Watchdog Alerts, review our scam-tracking map, or call our toll-free fraud helpline at 877-908-3360 if you or a loved one suspect you’ve been a victim. “
If you wish to report a site please call the Arizona Department of Health Services COVID-19 Hotline: 1-844-542-8201 or (800-447-8477). You can also visit https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/ in order to file a complaint online.
Covid-19 Leaving Valley Businesses Behind
Owner Kelly Aubey opened Film Bar in 2011, designing the business to combine that atmosphere of a bar and Indie movie theatre. Talk about the perfect way to experience a night out in the heart of Downtown Phoenix. Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, many businesses, including our beloved staple Film Bar will be closing its doors in February and relocating to a new outdoor location at The Pemberton. Truly, the end of an era. The Filmbar will be looking for more creative ways to provide their one of a kind experiences, such as the newly launched streaming service, FilmBar Online, where customers can view independent films from the comfort of their homes. For more information, visit www.thefilmbarphx.com and www.pembertonphx.com. Only the community has the power to ensure that our local businesses are being supported through these times. Support local!
Roadblock ahead for DC Statehood
written by Daniel Orona
For years citizens of Washington D.C. have fought for statehood and the right to be represented as all other states are during trying times and important decisions being made in the country. Once again, the eyes of the roughly 700,000 inhabitants of the territory look on as democratic leaders have introduced new legislation moving to officially name Washington D.C. as the 51st State of the Country.
Last year the efforts passed the House of Representatives for the first time in US history but former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to bring it to vote on the Senate floor. Advocates for the District’s Statehood still celebrated the accomplishment. Bo Shuff, executive director of DC Vote stated, “I want people to look through history at the number of times important legislation has failed before it passed”.
This year brings new hope and perhaps the greatest opportunity for Statehood to finally be granted since the Democrats control the House and the Senate. The problem now comes to the Republican’s ability to filibuster the bill in order to delay or outright stop it.
The controversial tactic has been at the subject of discussion the last few days since it can be eliminated altogether with a simple majority on the senate floor, however two Democratic Senators have refused to support getting rid of it, Sens. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Without these two key votes, new Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is powerless to change the rules and allow the Senate to pass legislation like Washington D.C.’s statehood without obtaining at least 60 votes from the Senate Floor.
Republicans have long been opposed to helping their Democratic colleagues welcome the 51st state because the new Senators and Representatives to come from the newly joined state are likely to be Democrats, further tipping the balance of power to the blue side in both chambers.
“This isn’t a Republican or Democratic issue; it’s an American issue because the lack of fair representation for D.C. residents is clearly inconsistent with the values on which this country was founded…it is therefore incumbent upon all of us who enjoy the right and the privilege of full voting rights and representation to take up the cause of our fellow citizens in the District of Columbia.” Sen. Tom Carper said in a statement.
Food Assistance
It should be stated that one of those privileges include deploying the national guard in response to emergency situations such as what was seen on January 6, when domestic terrorists stormed the U.S. Capitol. The act resulted in the deaths of 5 people, including DC Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who according to multiple reports was beaten to death with a fire extinguisher. Former President Donald Trump initially resisted sending the D.C. National Guard to quell the mob. A governor of the sate would have not needed authorization to deploy further assistance.
Saint Mary’s Food Banks are all across the State. Use this link to locate the closest food bank, the Home Delivery Program, Get Meals for Kids Now, and Mobile Pantries.
Make sure to bring your ID and proof of residency with proof of rent and a bill in your name.
https://www.firstfoodbank.org/get-help/
The Phoenix Mutual Aid website has a list of resources for childcare, child education, financial assistance, food assistance, grocery stores, jobs, legal aid, medical, mental health, pass time resources, public spaces, small business support, utilities and how to take action.
Visit: https://www.mutualaidphx.com/need-support
Event: Fuerte Live: Immigration and the Biden Administration
Biden has kicked off 2021 by introducing an Immigration Bill that plans to provide a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented people living in the US. This is a long overdue victory, but this is only the beginning.
Fuerte Arts Movement is inviting you to join a Fuerte Live: Immigration and the Biden Administration with writer and activist Korina Iribe Romo, Arizona State Advisor at the Movement Voter Project. Join the community conversation highlighting Korina’s newly published Op-ed piece “For Dreamers, Action Will Speak Louder Than Words”, and what’s next in the immigration fight for the United States.
See you on Monday, February 8th at 6 pm to be a part of the continuing effort for prosperity for the undocumented community. Please sign up to participate and register here: https://fuerte.org/live
Send your Art!
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