[PAA-Discuss] RNC Hired Intern planning "Catch an Illegal Immigrant" and "Fun With Guns" Events

[Sarah Gonzales]

The Republican party today. You vote Republican, make NO mistake  
about what you support.

<snip>
DNC: Dean Sends Mehlman Letter on RNC Funded Discriminatory and Un- 
American Campaign Activities
Tue Sep 12, 5:29 PM ET

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20060912/pl_usnw/ 
dnc__dean_sends_mehlman_letter_on_rnc_funded_discriminatory_and_un_ameri 
can_campaign_activities313_xml

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Democratic National Committee  
Chairman Howard Dean sent a letter to Republican National Committee  
Chairman Ken Mehlman today calling on him to stop RNC-funded campaign  
activities that promote discrimination and endorse violence against  
political opponents. The letter was sent after a Michigan newspaper  
revealed that an RNC-funded organizer in Michigan is coordinating  
"Catch an Illegal Immigrant" and "Fun With Guns" events at the  
University of Michigan, similar to Republican events in other states  
like Pennsylvania and Texas. In the first event participants would  
win prizes for catching others posing as illegal immigrants and in  
the latter, "young Republicans would shoot cardboard cut-outs of  
Democratic leaders such as Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen.  
John Kerry (D-Mass.)."

The report of these RNC-funded activities also comes just two days  
after the Washington Post reported that "in a pivotal year, (the) GOP  
plans to get personal." (The Michigan Daily, 9/12/06; Washington  
Post, 9/10/2006) Additionally, the RNC and College Republicans have a  
track record of inappropriate and discriminatory campaign tactics:

-- RNC Hired Intern is Planning "Catch an Illegal Immigrant" and "Fun  
With Guns" Events. "Morgan Wilkins, the intern hired by the  
Republican National Committee to win the hearts and minds of Michigan  
20-somethings, is planning events that some may find odd. To others,  
they may be offensive. One such idea is 'Catch an Illegal Immigrant  
Day,' in which a volunteer would play the part of an illegal  
immigrant and hide somewhere on campus while others try to find him.  
The winner would receive a prize. Her other ideas include an event  
called 'Fun with Guns,' in which young Republicans would use a BB gun  
or paintball gun to shoot cardboard cut-outs of Democratic leaders  
such as Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Kerry (D- 
Mass.)" (The Michigan Daily, 9/12/06)

-- College Republicans at Penn State Proposed Playing "Catch an  
Illegal Immigrant" As Segue Into Immigration Discussion. The College  
Republicans at Penn State University wanted to enter the debate about  
the nation's borders by playing a "Catch an Illegal Immigrant  
Game."People would be invited to "catch" group members wearing orange  
shirts symbolizing illegal aliens. Amid the student outcry that  
ensued, they softened their plan to an illegal immigration awareness  
day in which leafleting and speech- making would let both sides air  
their views on immigration policies. (Scripps News Service, 4/14/06)

-- Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day Reportedly Planned at University of  
Texas. Members of the University of Texas' multicultural center cited  
UT Young Conservative's proposed "Catch an Immigrant Day" last spring  
as one of the causes of Latino students feeling unwanted at UT. hough  
there was no such event on March 2, and representatives from YCT  
denied planning it, the idea caused uproar and protest from multiple  
organizations on campus, including the Latino Leadership Council.  
(University Wire, 6/15/05)

In the letter, Dean points out that "we'd read that the RNC would use  
its funds to engage in negative campaigning in a desperate attempt to  
hold on to power and mobilize Republican voters in November, but  
these un-American attacks and violent, inflammatory campaign tactics  
are beyond the pale."

Dean further challenged Mehlman to help "elevate the political  
discourse in America, and...act to have these desperate,  
inappropriate attacks stopped"

A full copy of the letter is included below.

Ken Mehlman, Chairman
Republican National Committee
310 First Street, SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
September 12, 2006

Dear Ken,

A troubling article today reported that a Republican National  
Committee-hired intern is planning events that can only be described  
as divisive, potentially dangerous, and discriminatory to promote the  
Republican Party's agenda at the University of Michigan.

Promoting "Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day," which has been used by  
the Republican Party in other states including Pennsylvania and  
Texas, is not only offensive, it promotes discrimination for  
political gain. And an event titled "Fun with Guns" that encourages  
young Republicans to shoot cardboard cut- outs of Democratic leaders  
further promotes intolerance and violence. These un-American  
activities cannot go unchallenged.

We'd read that the RNC would use its funds to engage in negative  
campaigning in a desperate attempt to hold on to power and mobilize  
Republican voters in November, but these un-American attacks and  
violent, inflammatory campaign tactics are beyond the pale. As  
Chairmen of America's two major political parties, we have a  
responsibility to elevate the political discourse in America. Whether  
this is directly an RNC funded activity or not, I ask that you not  
only order such events ceased but also denounce these types of  
campaign tactics that breed only hatred, division and fear.

You said yourself to a gathering of Hispanic elected officials that  
America is a "nation of immigrants.a nation united by ideas, not  
race, creed or place of origin." That same day you also acknowledged  
that "we are all held to account by a common rule of law," and that  
"respect for this basic concept is critical to an America where we  
are all treated the same." To demonstrate your commitment to these  
words and ideals you must immediately act to have these desperate,  
inappropriate attacks stopped. America's democracy can only continue  
to work if we respect each other, and uphold the values that have  
made our country great. I hope to hear back from you on this  
important matter promptly.

Best regards,

Howard Dean, Chairman

Democratic National Committee
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