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March 20, 2008

Group launches stop-hate campaign

PROVIDENCE -- Advocacy groups and legislators today announced a campaign against hate and hate speech in Rhode Island that will call on all Rhode Islanders to participate.

The initiative was prompted by a recent incident involving a Providence storeowner who demanded to see Social Security cards of two Spanish-speaking customers, then threatened to call immigration authorities after they did not.

State Sen. Juan Pichardo, one of the speakers today, said, “All this hate speech -- we need to stop this wave. It is not the America we pursue …”

Miguel Sanchez-Hartwein, executive director of the Center for Hispanic Policy and Advocacy, said the campaign will involve educational forums at universities, schools, businesses and other settings, and a petition that he asked all Rhode Islanders to sign.

-- Journal staff writer Karen Lee Ziner

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 12:30 PM | Permalink

Comments

How does a guy asking people for Social Security cards translate to hate speech? What he did was stupid, but a Philadelphia pizza shop owner just this week won the right to serve only people who speak English. What I "Hate" are the people who use this to advance their cause, when no problem exists. It's great that the Projo assigned their resident Ethnic Scholar, Ms. Ziner, to cover this in a fair and equitable fashion, as she always does.
Hasta La Vista

Hickok | March 20, 2008 1:41 PM link

I dont agree with what that store owner did but everyone wants the american dream and think its owed to them. Nobody wants to learn english and then when someone says something they call it a hate crime. I think it is absolutly discouraging when a problem arises and you cant communicate with someone because they dont speak english. Im sure I wouldnt be treated right if I went to the domenican republic and couldnt speak spanish. Im all for people becoming citizens the right way but part of that is learning the language of the country. We should be complaining more about people not understanding english. They sure do understand the words Free, Welfare, Social Security, Money and pay day. Have respect and learn the language.

RJ | March 20, 2008 1:49 PM link

So if we're stopping the hate speech does this mean that the radical left will stop calling those of us that want border enforcement and illegals sent back to their country "racists"?

Greg | March 21, 2008 8:14 AM link

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