Compiled by the El Reportero’s staff
Tom Ammiano
In a written statement this week, Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) rejected the federal raid of a medical marijuana dispensary in San Francisco this week.
“I am extremely disappointed with the Drug Enforcement Agency’s decision to raid the medical marijuana dispensary in San Francisco earlier this week,” Ammiano said. “The clinic is in compliance with all local laws and currently holds a permit from the Department of Public Health.
Ammiano responded a statement Attorney General Eric Holder a week ago, announcing that the Obama administration would not prosecute medicinal pot clubs. Unfortunately, the Assemblymember said, “Wednesday’s DEA raid was a clear step backward. With the increasing violence along the Mexican border, the DEA should be focusing their efforts on fi ghting these dangerous cartels rather than sick people seeking compassionate care.”
He mentioned that to date, 13 states across the country have passed medical marijuana laws and several more have laws under consideration. The medicinal value of marijuana has been proven without a doubt and public opinion polls show broad support. It is now time for the federal government to respect those states which support the use of medical marijuana.
He said he will be writing to President Obama outlining his concerns and will respectfully urge Attorney General Eric Holder to clarify his new policy with the DEA.
Hotel workers fight healthcare cuts
Workers and supporters at the Holiday Inn in Concord, CA, demonstrate and march outside the hotel. Their union, UNITE HERE Local 2850, has been trying to negotiate a new contract for a year with new owner Kevin Akash, who is demanding that workers increase their payments for health insurance from $40 to $700 per month.
The average wage for a roomcleaner at the hotel is $9.35 per hour, or about $1590 per month, before taxes. A month ago workers voted to reject the company demand. They are now calling for a boycott of the hotel.
Religious leaders hand roses to workers to encourage them while they demonstrate and march. Concord Mayor Laura Hoffmeister is one of many public officials and union leaders who sign a pledge to boycott the Holiday Inn to support hotel workers.
DREAM Act introduction shows political muscle for immigration reform
Legalizing young immigrants would boost the U.S. economy – This week, Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) introduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act; while Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) introduced a House version of the bill called the “American Dream Act.”
Both pieces of bipartisan legislation would permit a limited number of undocumented students to become permanent residents if they came here as children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character, and attend college or enlist in the military for at least two years. The following is a statement by Angela Kelley, Director of the Immigration Policy Center (IPC) in Washington, DC.
“With yesterday’s bipartisan introduction of the DREAM Act, the House and Senate delivered yet another signal that the political tide for immigration reform is getting stronger. The bill seeks to remedy the predicament of a specifi c group of undocumented children who are blocked from realizing their full potential. By providing a path to U.S. citizenship, the DREAM Act would allow these children to pursue a higher education and contribute fully to our economy.
