JACKSON — Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney may get a red-carpet reception from supporters when he shows up for a fundraiser this evening at the Jackson's exclusive River Hills Club. However, at least one group plans to show him that not everyone in Mississippi is happy about his proposed policies.
Romney is scheduled for a 5 p.m. chairman's reception at River Hills and a general reception for donors at 6 p.m. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., members of Youth Organizes United, an immigrant youth group, is planning to protest at the club.
"On Latino issues recently, (Romney) has constantly jumped to the extreme right, sacrificing his Latino constituency to look less moderate and more 'severely conservative,'" a YOU release states. It goes on to point out that Romney has cited Arizona's immigration law — recently struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in large part — as a model for federal laws. Under the headline "Romney can't etch-a-sketch away his anti-Latino record" the release cites numerous media sources, such as The Washington Post, documenting the candidate's positions.
Below is the entire release, verbatim.
Undocumented Youth Veto Romney in Mississippi
WHAT: Protest Romney's Fundraisers to highlight extreme immigration stance
WHEN: July 16, 2012 - 4:30PM
WHERE: River Hills Club, 3600 Ridgewood Road, Jackson MS
JACKSON, MS – On Monday, Youth Organizes United (YOU), a Mississippi immigrant youth group, will be showing up to Jackson, Mississippi to unwelcome the arrival of Mitt Romney to show the power of the Latino community growing even in deep south states like Mississippi. Romney, who will be heading to Jackson for yet another fundraiser, has allowed himself to be pulled far right by his extreme right base during the primary season. Now, he's trying to Etch-A-Sketch his way out of calling SB 1070 a "model for the nation," saying that Russel Pearce has an immigration policy "identical to mine" and calling for "self-deportation."
On Latino issues recently, he has constantly jumped to the extreme right, sacrificing his Latino constituency to look less moderate and more "severely conservative" to give him room to be more reasonable on other issues. This was during a brutal primary season where even Herman Cain and Donal Trump were beating him at one point. He has attacked opponents like Rick Perry from the right on issues like in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants, called SB 1070 a model for the nation and promised a veto for the DREAM Act. Since Obama's shift in the Department of Homeland Security deportation policy and promise of working papers for DREAMers, Mitt Romney has only said that he would replace it with something permanent, however, is vague enough to make this a transparent campaign promise.
Over the next few weeks, undocumented youth will be taking their message to key states to engage Latino and minority communities to register voters and indicate who is on their side and who is isn't.
BACKGROUND: Romney Can't Etch-a-Sketch Away His Anti-Latino Record
• "Romney: Arizona immigration law a `model' : [Washington Post, 02/23/2012]
• "Romney Calls Arizona Immigration Law A Model For The Nation." [LA Times, 2/22/12]
• "Russell Pearce, Arizona Immigration Law Author, Says Romney's 'Policy Is Identical To Mine'" [Washington Post, 4/5/12]
• "Romney adviser Kris Kobach: No legal status of any kind for the undocumented" [Washington Post, 04/18/2012]
• "Romney Touts Support Of Anti-Immigrant Activist Kris Kobach" [Media Matters, January 11, 2012]
• "Mitt Romney says he would veto DREAM Act," [L.A. Times, January 01, 2012]
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