Conexion Americas will host its annual AVANCE Spanish-language seminar at Belmont University tomorrow, July 26, from 9:30am to 3:30pm. The seminar will cover topics designed with Conexion Americas' mission in mind - "Promoting the social, economic and civic integration of Latino families in Middle Tennessee" - and will specifically include personal finances, insurance, homeownership, and consumer protection, as well as "creating a family plan in case of deportation or detention, and rights and responsibilities in the United States," according to this announcement:

Dear Community Organizations,

Attached you will find an invitation and information about a free educational conference for the Latino community this Saturday, July 26 from 9:30am-3:30pm at Belmont University.

“Avance 2008: Infórmate Hoy para Lograr un Mejor Mañana!” - Information Today for a Better Tomorrow – is a seminar on topics such as immigration, legal education, creating a family plan in case of deportation or detention, and rights and responsibilities in the United States. The event will also include a motivational keynote speaker with information about how to be successful in the United States. AVANCE is completely free of charge. We will provide breakfast, lunch and childcare. Interested participants can register for the event by calling (615) 269-6900.

Please inform any Spanish-speaking clients which your organization serves about this event. Feel free to print the attached invitation to distribute or let us know if you need additional information!

Gracias!

Labels: education, events, justice, spanish

The 2008 Miss Tennessee Latina pageant has been postponed until October. Interested contestants and sponsors should contact Marjorie Weller, Tennessee State Director, at (615) 506-1279 or misstnuslatina@hotmail.com

The reigning 2007-2008 Miss Tennessee Latina is Mariela Flores. She was crowned at last year's pageant on August 11, 2007.

Photo of Mariela Flores courtesy of Miss Tennessee Latina.

Labels: events

"To bring the members of Hispanic Churches of Christ in Nashville together into one community"

Classes, activities for kids, food, fireworks

From Lipscomb University:

Lipscomb University’s 2008 Summer Celebration lecture series, July 2-4, will feature a track of classes held completely in Spanish. Local Hispanic church leaders hope the July gathering can serve as a catalyst to bring the members of Hispanic Churches of Christ in Nashville together into one community.

The Spanish-language classes will follow the same theme as the overall lecture series: “Bringing Stones to Life: Nehemiah’s Call for Courage, Passion and Revival.” The keynote speakers for the event will include Jose Gregorio Nieto, minister at Brewer Road Iglesia de Cristo (Church of Christ) in Winston Salem, N.C., and Carlos Preciado, a full-time missionary for the past three and a half years.

The daily programs are not just for adults. Fun children and teen activities such as devotionals, classes, games and service projects will keep the kids busy all day, and a professional fireworks display, live entertainment and plenty of family fun and food will end the annual festival of faith and fellowship.

July 4 activities start at 4:30 p.m. with a picnic and Kid’s Zone; a community worship begins at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks are expected to begin around 9 p.m.

Nieto’s Brewer Road Iglesia de Cristo is one of the fastest growing congregations in North Carolina. He is part of a team of preachers that travels throughout the U.S. and Latin America, strengthening congregations by presenting leadership seminars, gospel meetings, and in-depth Bible studies to prepare men and women to be better equipped to serve their local congregations.

Nieto has been a full-time minister for eleven years. He graduated from the Harding School of Biblical Studies and received a bachelor’s degree in Bible and Ministry. He has been involved in mission trips to establish new congregations in Spain and Mexico.

Preciado has been a full-time missionary for the past three and a half years. They have been working with the Griffin Road Church of Christ in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.. His focus is personal evangelism, and he frequently leads Bible studies with families, young adults and teenagers during the week.

He graduated from East Tennessee State University. In 2001 he and his wife Maribel enrolled in the Atlantic International Bible Institute, a branch of Sunset International Bible Institute, where they graduated in December 2004. During that time, the couple were serving their home church in Hialeah, Fla., working with the youth, and with a new Spanish ministry in Naples, Fla.

Labels: education, events, faith, spanish

This is one of the most frequently asked questions of HispanicNashville.com: Are there Spanish conversation groups in Nashville?

The answer is, yes.

There are at least three Spanish conversation groups in Nashville. For more information, see the summaries and the links to each program below:

Charlemos Spanish

Charlemos Spanish, a conversation group for all ages, meets at the Palette Gallery 'n' Café (2119 Belcourt Ave. in Hillsboro Village) the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. There is no cost to attend or join. Each meeting begins with a presentation, in Spanish, by a guest speaker. For more about speakers, see our Program Speakers page. For a schedule of upcoming meetings, visit the Sister Cities Calendar. Please contact Elizabeth Worrell Braswell (elizworrell@comcast.net) for more information.

Nashville Spanish Language Meetup Group

Bienvenidos, amigos! If you're interested in the Spanish language and Latin culture, come to our meetups and get to know other folks with the same interests. We come from many different Latin American countries, Spain, and of course the U.S. With weekly meetups, regular salsa parties (with our own DJs), and the occasional movie or other activity, there are plenty of opportunities to practice your dusty old high school Spanish. Don't be shy! Come hang out with us. Questions? Send us an email. Everybody welcome.

Conexion Americas' Conversemos Language Exchange Program

Sign up for the Conversemos Language Exchange Program! We have openings available for English speakers who need to improve their ability to communicate in Spanish (particularly conversation skills). Volunteer language mentors are willing to help you with Spanish, while you help them practice and improve their English.

Illustration of multilingual conversation by Markus Koljonen. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: english, events, faq, spanish

American Dream Banquet July 10

"Together, we will create a better Tennessee"

Stephen Fotopulos will become Executive Director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) effective June 30, according to this announcement by Sharmila Murthy, President of the Board of Directors of the coalition:

On behalf of the TIRRC Board of Directors, I am pleased to inform you that Stephen Fotopulos will be the new Executive Director of TIRRC effective June 30, 2008. After an extensive national search, the Board realized that the best candidate for the Executive Director position was actually within our own midst! Stephen joined TIRRC in 2004, most recently serving as TIRRC's Policy Director. As Policy Director, Stephen became a nationally recognized expert on immigration policy. He also partnered with grassroots organizers and communities to translate complex policy positions into effective campaign strategies. We are excited that Stephen is ready to take on the challenge of serving as TIRRC's second Executive Director!

Stephen came to TIRRC in 2004 with an impressive background in public policy analysis, including a Master's degree in Public Administration from Cornell University, as well as significant experience in management within the public sector. While at TIRRC, Stephen quickly became a leader within the organization, substantially bolstering both programmatic and organizational work. During his tenure, Stephen worked with TIRRC's immigrant leaders to help them develop the tools and confidence needed to engage decision makers on the local, state and federal level. He also successfully integrated important allies from numerous sectors in all of TIRRC's policy efforts. Stephen is committed to TIRRC's mission, principles and goals. He believes that immigrants and refugees should lead the campaigns that TIRRC undertakes, and will make expanding immigrant leadership within the membership, staff and board a primary priority during his tenure as Executive Director.

As many of you know, the founding Executive Director of TIRRC, David Lubell, will be starting a Masters in Public Administration program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in August. He will be officially stepping down as Executive Director on June 30, 2008, and will be leaving Nashville in the middle of July. Over the past six months, the TIRRC Board of Directors has been working closely with David and the TIRRC staff to ensure preparedness for David's departure. Now that a new Director has been chosen, the Board has established a Transition Committee to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. The Transition Committee is chaired by Avi Poster, who has over thirty years of leadership experience, both as a former school principal and as a leader in social justice organizations. The Transition Committee also benefits from the guidance of Mary Ochs, an outside consultant who has been working closely with TIRRC for over six years. Mary helped facilitate TIRRC's strategic planning process last year and also served as an outside resource to the Board Executive Search Committee this past year.

I would like to thank TIRRC's Board of Directors, TIRRC's staff, and all of our friends and allies for supporting us throughout the search and transition process. I would also like to give special thanks to JJ Rosenbaum who chaired the Executive Search Committee.

Please join me in congratulating Stephen! I look forward to seeing you at the American Dream Banquet on Thursday, July 10, 2008, where we will have an opportunity to formally congratulate Stephen on his new role as TIRRC's Executive Director and also to celebrate David's great accomplishments as the founding Executive Director!

Best wishes,

Sharmila L. Murthy
President, Board of Directors

From Stephen Fotopulos:

A LETTER FROM THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: MR. STEPHEN FOTOPULOS

I am honored and excited to be selected as the new Executive Director of TIRRC. When my wife Susannah and I first moved to Nashville in 2004, we knew it would be a great place to raise a family. What we quickly learned was that Tennessee was home to one of the fastest growing immigrant communities in the country, and Nashville was becoming the international city of the South. I was drawn to TIRRC because of my graduate studies in immigration policy and the several years I spent living and working abroad. At TIRRC, I have had the unique opportunity to work hand-in-hand with our immigrant neighbors in the struggle to build a more just and equitable society. The past four years at TIRRC have been the most fulfilling work of my career.

TIRRC's mission is to empower immigrants and refugees in Tennessee to develop a unified voice and lead a statewide movement for positive change. Our success as a coalition depends on the increased capacity of emerging, immigrant-led organizations, the continued development of immigrant leadership, and the full participation of these leaders in every facet of our work. I look forward to working with all of you in the coming months, to discuss the ways in which the organization fulfills its mission and to better understand the ways in which we can build upon our strengths.

For the last four years, I have benefited greatly from David Lubell's guidance and friendship, and I am humbled by the responsibility of leading the organization in his stead. The departure of a founding director poses healthy challenges for any organization. I am extremely fortunate to be joined by a dedicated, talented staff and an engaged, visionary board of directors in addressing these challenges. With the continued collaboration of community leaders, allies, and national partners, we will build on the momentum of David's leadership, carry out the organization's strategic plan, and ensure that TIRRC remains one of the most successful coalitions of its kind. Together, we will create a better Tennessee.

Thanks for your support.
Stephen

Statue of Liberty photo by Ian Foss. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: events, immigrants, justice

LosRITMOS.com, a recently launched site for latin music and dance lovers in Nashville, sent out this events update:

Summer is on its way and things are heating up in Nashville! This month we have more live music than ever!! Not to mention an impromptu Sunday (the 8th) salsa workshop with our salsero friends from Ohio…

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and DANCE!!!!!!

|~><~|~><~|~><~ JUNE CALENDAR ~><~|~><~|~><~|

Visit our calendar for the latest information

nashville.losritmos.com/calendar.html

June 6-8 - Friday thru Sunday

Latin Dance Festival
Global Education Center

June 8 - Sunday

Salsa Workshops with Israel & Jose
from Salsa Rhythms Dance Company – Cincinnati, OH
Ibiza Nightclub 1-4pm
1:00 - Shines on 1
2:00 - Turn Patterns & Combinations on 1
3:00 - Class TBA
$15 each, $25 for two or $35 for all

Trova Urbana
Las Casuelas - 6pm
Las Casuelas 3rd Anniversary Party
Also featuring Swing Latino at 8pm

June 14 - Saturday

Barroco Orchestra from Miami
with special guest Jay Franco
Father's Day Live Music Event
Cielo Nightclub & Salsa Lounge - 10pm

June 19 - Thursday

Samba Nove
Ashland City Summerfest
Riverbluff Park - 6-10pm

June 20 - Friday

Samba Nove
Bridging the Gap Mixer - 7pm-Midnight
Shelby Street Bridge

Trabuko
Coco Loco - 9pm

June 26 - Thursday

Samba Nove
Z's Five Points Deli - 7:30pm

June 28 - Saturday

International Music Festival
Centennial Park Band Shell
More information to come...

*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*

Las Casuelas now has live music on Sundays!
Featuring Swing Latino (7pm)

One June 8th Trova Urbana also performs for
the Las Casuelas 3rd Anniversary party!

*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*

Don't miss Cielo's Special Noche de Salsa
Saturday, June 14th
Featuring: Barroco Orquesta from Miami
with special guest Jay Franco
free salsa lessons

*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*

Don't forget Coco Loco's Special Salsa Night
Friday, June 20th
Carlos Negron y su Orquesta
free salsa lessons

*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*~**~*

Also - don't miss this...

Every Tuesday!!!!
Giovanni Rodriguez
with special guests: Rahsaan Barber,
Paul Horton, Edwin Santiago & more ...
JavaNET Cafe in Hermitage - 8pm
No Cover!

|~><~|~><~|~><~|~><~|~><~|~><~|~><~|~><~|~><~|

LosRITMOS

The Rhythm of the city at your fingertips

www.LosRitmos.com

Photo by Michael P. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: events

Immigrant coalition supports workers movement

Campaign aims for fair compensation and just treatment for day laborers

Launch of "The Nashville Movement"

From The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition sent out this notice of a "Rally to Launch The Nashville Movement: A Coalition for Economic and Racial Justice:"

Some of the hardest working yet lowest paid residents of our city will be accompanied by hundreds of students, community organizations and congregations in a march for living wage and workers rights

What: Rally followed by a march for living wage and worker’s rights

When: Thursday June 5th, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.

Where: Rally at 15th Ave. Baptist Church, 1203 9th Ave. North followed by a march to Metro Court House

Why: The poorest workers, from taxi drivers to cleaning workers at the Sommett Center, desperately need to have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

The Nashville Movement is a growing coalition, of workers, community organizations, students, and congregations, committed to ending poverty, and winning respect, with and for the poorest workers in Nashville. The coalition was formed in 2007 by the Middle Tennessee Jobs with Justice, Nashville Homeless Power Project, the Urban Epicenter, and Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.

The Nashville Movement is picking up in the successful legacy of the 1960’s civil rights struggle in Nashville. But now we’re not just organizing for a seat at the lunch table, we want to be able to afford what’s on the menu. The Nashville Movement is laying the ground work for a broad based worker rights movement that can win lasting improvements for the poorest workers.

According to the web site of The Nashville Movement, one of the group's campaigns will focus on day laborers:

Day laborers in Nashville are some of the hardest working, most exploited, least paid workers in the city. This campaign is resolved to make sure their hard work is compensated fairly and that they are treated justly by their employers.

Labels: events, immigrants, justice

Click here for the original story.

Labels: arts, events, immigrants, mexico

Erica Contreras, National Chair of the Minority Caucus of the Young Democrats of America (YDA), sent out this invitation to participate in the YDA's Spring National Conference in Nashville this weekend:

Join local elected officials, candidates, young professionals and the Minority Caucus of YDA on Friday, May 30, 2008 in the Crockett Room of the Nashville Hilton downtown for a reception/fundraiser Friday night. All money raised will go toward the Empowerment Fund to help young dems of color attend future YDA meetings.

Then join us on Sat. May 31st at 10:30am for our meeting where we will discuss Keeping Dr. Martin Luther King's Dream Alive and the work he did for sanitation worker's rights. Confirmed speakers are Larry Smith, Director of Civil Rights of the United Auto Workers and David Welker from the Teamsters.

Visit yda.org/nashville or ydaminoritycaucus.org for more info.

Erica Contreras
National Chair
Minority Caucus of YDA

Labels: events, justice

SPANISH-TV and the Nashville Zoo will host "Latino Day at the Zoo" on Sunday, June 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is one of two events at the Zoo this year that will cater to Nashville's Hispanic fans of fauna. The other event is called Dia Familiar at Nashville Zoo and will be part of Conexion Americas' Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in September.

Here is the "Latino Day at the Zoo" press release:

SPANISH-TV Presents Latino Day at the Zoo

Nashville Zoo and SPANISH-TV present the first Latino Day at the Zoo on Sunday, June 1. Activities will run from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., and SPANISH-TV hosts Sheyla Paz Hicks, Raul López, Karina Camilo and Alexis Martinez will be at the Zoo meeting guests.

Translators will be stationed throughout the Zoo, and Spanish language
maps and map inserts outlining the day's activities will be available. The Zoo’s award-winning animal shows and Historic Home tours will be offered in Spanish. Zoo staff and docents will also work with translators to deliver educational presentations and answer guests’ questions about:

Hyacinth Macaws: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Giraffes: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Clouded Leopards: 10 a.m. – Noon
Gibbons: Noon – 1 p.m.
Bengal Tigers: 2 – 3 p.m.

Discounted admission coupons for Latino Day can be picked up at La Reyna Supermercado 1 & 2, Las Cazuelas Mexican Grill, La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, Azeca Restaurant, Los Arcos, Jalisco Market, Periodico Latino Newspaper, La Campana Newspaper, Latina 900 AM and La Ley 1380 AM.

Latino Day at the Zoo is the result of a partnership between Nashville Zoo and SPANISH-TV. SPANISH-TV launched in 2006 and airs on Telemundo Nashville, Middle Tennessee’s sole Spanish-speaking network. For more information about SPANISH-TV, visit spanish-tvtucanal.com.

Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Road and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The mission of the Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership. For more information about Nashville Zoo, please call 833-1534 or visit our website at nashvillezoo.org

Photo by Jeffrey Peeden. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: events, spanish

TPAC Education announced its 2008-2009 Season for Young People, featuring "a culturally diverse mix of music, theatre, comedy and dance for young people."

According to the press release, "Highlights of the upcoming annual season of TPAC Education’s “Humanities Outreach in Tennessee” (HOT) include the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Nashville Opera’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, two native North American works, Latino modern dance, and theatre from the United States, Canada, England, Italy and Scotland. During its 27th year, TPAC Education’s curriculum-based programs will serve up to 40,000 students from pre-school through high school, providing teachers with comprehensive resources."

“This year’s season is more diverse than any we’ve ever presented—a full spectrum of literature, history, art, and culture from around the world,” said Sherri Leathers, TPAC Education’s Director of Programming.

Luna Negra Dance Theater will perform October 29-31 and is described as a Chicago-based company dedicated to Latino choreography, featuring Hispanic artists and music.

TPAC Education supplies guidebooks for each production with lesson plan suggestions and study materials for use before and after the performance, identifying “learning links” to curriculum requirements, including history, literature, language arts, science and social studies. Post-performance discussions and in-school visits also may be scheduled.

Financial assistance is available to subsidize ticket and travel costs for eligible students and school systems.

For reservations or more information, visit www.tpac.org/education or call 615-687-4288.

Labels: arts, education, events

Música de le Gente / Music of the People Festival

American Roots Music Education and Metro Parks and Recreation celebrate the music of Mexican-Americans

A festive and FREE celebration of Mexican-American music will be presented by American Roots Music Education and Metro Parks and Recreation on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at the newly renovated Coleman Park Community Center.

Throughout the afternoon there will be lots of live music from local bands, including Ocho Treinta, Son Latino and Danny Salazar y Trova Urbana. At 5:00 pm the internationally renowned group from San Antonio, Texas, Los Texmaniacs, will perform.

Children can participate in crafts such as making paper flowers, cowboy hats, embossed tin boxes, lizard keychains and rhythm instruments. A children's folklorico group will perform at 3:30 and there will be lots of piñatas, an exhibit of visual art by Latino artists, and plenty of dancing. Food and drink will be available for sale from local vendors.

FREE and open to the public

Date: Saturday, May 31, 2008
Time: 12:00 - 6:30 PM
Location: Coleman Park Community Center
(corner of Nolensville Road and Thompson Lane), Nashville, TN
Good weather -- outside! Not-so-good weather -- in the gym!

Labels: arts, events, immigrants, mexico

This Tennessean article contains its own roundup of Cinco de Mayo events at Agave Tequila Lounge, Lot 7, Sam's Place Sports Bar and Grill, The French Quarter Cafe, Lime, and Alleycat Lounge.

Then there's these other events:

The Fiesta Belmont on May 3, which the Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce* is sponsoring:

FIESTA BELMONT is a one day event that will be held at the campus of Belmont University on Saturday May 3 from 11 AM to 7 PM. This family oriented event will have food stands as well as LIVE MUSIC interpreted by several of our most prominent Hispanic performers including Belmont Salsa All-Stars, San Rafael Band, Ocho Treinta, Carlos Negron & Trabuko as well as our local Mexican Folkloric Dance Group. There will be games for children and most of all a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and celebrate together our Cinco de Mayo.

There is a Cinco de Mayo Fair running now through Sunday May 4 at the Nashville Fairgrounds.

The Middle TN Hispanic Democrats (MTHD) are hosting a Cinco de Mayo Celebration and Fundraiser ($25 donation appreciated) on May 5 at 5:30pm. Contact info@mtnhd.org for details.

The Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce* sent more details about the French Quarter event listed in the Tennessean article above:

Every year on the fifth of May, party-goers look for the most unique venues to commemorate Mexican heritage and pride with festive music, décor, and drinks. This year, Nashvillians are in for a treat when Cerrito takes the stage at the French Quarter Café at 7:30 PM for his celebratory Spanish-English performance, and they can feel great about supporting the event as all proceeds from tickets will be donated to the "Make A Wish Foundation" in the hopes of fulfilling the dreams of terminally ill children.

"Cinco de Mayo is such a great time of year to show appreciation for Spanish-influenced music, and we are really looking forward to putting on a great show," says Cerrito.

"We are so delighted to celebrate Cinco De Mayo with Cerrito, and help grant a wish in the process.

Events like this are a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and support for wish kids in the 38 counties that we serve," says Michelle Rosen with Make a Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee.Make a Wish will have a child on-site that will personally benefit from the donations and share the story behind their wish.

Cerrito became immersed in the Spanish-English music scene while performing for years with legendary flamenco guitarist Charo. Cerrito then moved on to San Antonio, TX where he headlined his own show at the Arneson River Theatre on the river performing traditional country music (in English and Spanish) in front of ravenous audiences who seemed to want more. Cerrito found his place in the Country Music scene.

Cerrito's interest and success in learning to translate traditional country music to the Spanish language opened doors to a number of opportunities. Renowned Nashville producer Byron Gallimore approached Cerrito with the request to translate Tim McGraw's hit record "Re-fried Dreams," and the Country Music Association, Nashville, solicited him to perform on stage at the first "Fiesta Nashville" show--Fan Fair 2001.

Fans are guaranteed an evening full of entertainment, some culture, as well as some great prizes for their donation at the door!

For more information, please visit
www.cerritomusic.com

Labels: country music, english, events, spanish

Bear-trap bureaucracy sparks statewide outpouring of support

One hour of silence and prayer

"Sold to the public as a way to take dangerous criminals off the streets"

No criminal charges

The Tennessean reported here that women from the recent immigration raids in Chattanooga are being held in Nashville awaiting possible deportation. According to this web page produced by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the detained Chattanooga women are held and will be processed for deportation without being charged with a crime.


Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Davidson County public defender Ivan Lopez was quoted in this front-page article in the Tennessean on Sunday as saying that a Nashville-ICE partnership program called 287(g) "was sold to the public as a way to take dangerous criminals off the street" but that "[i]n reality, what's happening is you are breaking up families." The 287(g) program and the Chattanooga raids have in common that ordinary people are being put through extraordinary suffering, primarily for regular work that has been made into an outlaw act.

The detentions are another example of how our immigration system isn't broken; it's a fully functioning bear trap for ordinary immigrants (see stories here and here).

A vigil for the detained women and their families will be held on Tuesday outside the Nashville detention center on Harding Place, in coordination with other vigils in Chattanooga and Memphis. Details about the vigils from the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC):

VIGILS TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 29th in CHATTANOOGA, NASHVILLE, and MEMPHIS

Join us as we stand in solidarity with the workers affected by these inhumane acts.
Click here for more information

As many of you know, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) performed major raids across the country on April 16th, including one in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The raid in Tennessee—at a "Pilgrim's Pride" Poultry Processing plant—resulted in the arrest of 156 immigrants.

The raids have devastated Chattanooga's immigrant community, and have sent shock waves across the region.

Men in Georgia—women in Nashville. While it should be noted that 32 women who were identified as mothers were released on Thursday, families have still been torn apart and are struggling to reconnect. Immigrant rights groups across the region are attempting to assimilate a complete list of the workers detained. However, many workers are still missing and their locations remain unknown.

“The raids in the poultry processing plants in the southeast are disheartening and immoral. Even worse is the breaking up of families. We will pray for these women and their families."

Rev. Jeannie Hunter, Associate Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church.

“All workers and their families deserve being treated with dignity. The workers who are detained are victims of the employers and the broken immigration system. It is the federal immigration system that needs to be held accountable. The workers need their rights protected. ”

Megan Macaraeg with Jobs with Justice

Vigil for Worker Rights and Dignity
"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Vigils will be held in Memphis, Chattanooga, and Nashville.

Click here for printable flier.

When: Tuesday, April 29--- 6:00-7:00pm

Where: Harding Detention Facility (5115 Harding Place, Nashville TN 37211) where five women from Chattanooga raids are being held.


Join us as we stand on the sidewalk in silence and in prayer for an an hour. Organizers will provide signs with the MLK quote.
All people deserve to be treated with dignity.

Information on the Chattanooga and Memphis vigils will be available shortly.

Vigils, Forums, and Organizing has been made possible thanks to the hard work of the following organizations and individuals:
THANK YOU

Justice for Our Neighbors

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF)—Elise Shore

La Paz de Dios—Sylvia Rangel and Stacy Johnson

St. Andrew's Center—Mike Feely

Coalicion de Lideres Latinos—America Gruner

ACLU of Tennessee—Tricia Herzfeld

The Steel Workers Union

Jobs with Justice

The many immigration attorneys throughout the state and beyond who have offered their advice and assistance throughout this emergency.

All the individuals who have given their time and energy towards helping the familes affected by the raids.

Labels: 287g, events, faith, immigrants, justice, statistics

The Nashville Fairgrounds will host a Cinco de Mayo Fair April 30 through May 4.

More information at cincodemayofair.com

Labels: events

Patricia Foxen, formerly with Vanderbilt University and now with University of Toronto's Anthropology Dept. and an Anthropologist and Scientific Associate at Toronto General Hospital, will speak Monday evening 5-7 p.m. at Vanderbilt's Buttrick Hall about her recently published book, "In Search of Providence: Transnational Mayan Identities."

The book "is a fascinating analysis of the experiences of a community of K'iche' Mayans, the largest indigenous group in Guatemala, who have been migrating to Providence, RI over the past two decades," according to Manuel Angel Castillo, Colegio de Mexico. These immigrants live "in a context of growing hostility toward undocumented migrants in the country of settlement, and in the face of turmoil at home--both of which have left deep marks" and are described by one Amazon.com reviewer, Francisco Goldman, as "one of the most complex and tragic immigrant communities in the United States: the Guatemalan highland Maya of Providence, Rhode Island, for whom coming to the U.S. hardly means leaving Guatemala's horror or cultural pathologies behind."

And, "With her in-depth case study of Guatemalan K'iche migrants from Xinxuc to Providence, Rhode Island, Patricia Foxen has filled a significant gap in the literature on Guatemalan migration to the U.S. This beautifully nuanced account captures the complexities of reproduced, changing and multiple K'iche identities in new settings, and of Mayan transnational practices. It also provides a window for seeing the contradictions of post-war rural Guatemala." --Susanne Jonas, University of California, Santa Cruz

More reviews here

Patricia Foxen (PhD 2002; MA 1994, McGill University; MPH 1990, Columbia University) is an expert on Latin American violence, post-war reconstruction and development; migration and forced displacement; cultural identity and psychosocial well-being; and questions surrounding health and gender in the Americas. (Full Bio available at: http://www.ocipmh.org/Clinics_&_Services/services/womens_health/bios/foxen.asp)

Speaking Monday, April 21, 5-7 p.m. in Buttrick Hall on Vanderbilt Campus; Buttrick is West of the Central Library, off the Library Lawn -

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/map/map.cgi?mode=4&zoom=12&panx=55&pany=24

Parking is available off 21st Ave. South near the library, plus metered parking on West End is Free after 6 p.m.

Labels: events, guatemala, immigrants

"Que Viva La Lucha," "The Mother Hen," "Cornered," "Two Embraces"

The Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NAHCC)* announced its sponsorship of the 2008 Cine Latino at the Nashville Film Festival (NaFF), which runs April 17 to 24 at the Green Hills Regal 16 Cinemas:

Ticket holders will be invited to attend a VIP party hosted by the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with special guest "Que Viva La Lucha: Wrestling in Tijuana" director Gustavo Vazquez prior to the screening of the movie on Wednesday, April 23, 5-6:30pm. Admission to VIP reception is FREE to "Que Viva la Lucha" ticket holders and NAHCC members. Delicious coffee provided by Pallette Gallery 2119 Belcourt, Nashville, TN 37212

ANNOUNCING: "The Mother Hen" the new picture from local Hispanic filmmaker Carlos Griffin will be screened on April 22nd at 7:00PM, April 23rd. at 7:15 PM and on Thursday the 24th. at 2:30 and at 9:00PM.

Members and friends of the NAHCC can get a discount when ordering online at www.nashvillefilmfestival.org make sure to use the promo code available at the end of the NaFF video spot or on our website at: www.nashvillehispanicchamber.com

A search in the "Hispanic" category at the NaFF web site pulls up two additional films: "Cornered" (Sunday, Apr 20, 2008 5:30 PM) and "Two Embraces" (Thursday, Apr 17, 2008 8:00 PM).

Labels: arts, events

Fiesta Belmont, Nashville's Latin Music Street Fair, is scheduled for Saturday May 3, 2008 from 11AM-7PM at Belmont University's Center Campus at 17th Ave South & Wedgewood Blvd. For information about how to become a sponsor or how to have a booth at this event, call David Herrera at 615-460-6908 or visit www.latinstreetfair.com.

Labels: arts, events, food, music

"As widely known as that of any other living man in the Old World or in the New"

"He ought to be hanged for making so many attempts, causing so much bloodshed and never succeeding"

April 19 auction includes Walker portrait and related books, letters

The Saturday, April 19, auction of items from the estate of Margaret Lindsley Warden features a portrait of once-famous Nashvillian William Walker.

In the years leading up to the U.S. Civil War, Walker went from being a Nashville schoolboy to claiming the office of President in both Mexico and Nicaragua and making enemies of entire nations and even Cornelius Vanderbilt (see this article in the Vanderbilt Register).

Walker was the subject of this sentence written by the New York Times in 1857:

The name of William Walker is, by this time, as widely known as that of any other living man in the Old World or in the New.

and this sentence, also by the New York Times, in 1860:

If he be a brigand, and an enemy of the human race, as most civilized people now consider him, he has merited the gallows a dozen times over for divers[e] robberies, murders and piracies; and if he be a hero and philanthropist, he ought to be hanged for making so many attempts, causing so much bloodshed and never succeeding.

as well as this sentence by Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario in 1912:

The defense against the famous Yankee has remained as one of the most brilliant pages of the history of the five Central American republics.

Walker's history is commemorated by this Nashville historical marker, a picture under this Wikipedia article for the original meaning of the word "filibuster," and a 1987 Ed Harris movie called "Walker," which featured the tag line, "Before Rambo... Before Oliver North..."

From the Tennessean:

The upcoming auction is scheduled in Knoxville in conjunction with three other estate auctions, Eberling said. Among Warden's family treasures to be sold are also a 1505 book from the Lindsleys' family book collection, a portrait of William Walker — one of Nashville's most colorful residents and president of the Republic of Nicaragua in the mid-1850s — family jewelry and silver.

Jim Hoobler, senior curator of art and architecture at the Tennessee State Museum, said he hopes some of the items find a home in the downtown museum.

"She's probably the last in a line of great families," said Hoobler, who knew Warden since the 1970s.

"This is history of Nashville. Our hope here is that we can acquire some of the important items of this collection like the William Walker portrait. These sort of things need to be in public collections where everybody can look at them, not in someone's living room with only one person looking at it."

From the auction description:

Important portrait of William Walker, "The Grey Eyed Man of Destiny", by Nashville artist, George Dury (1817-1894).
The painting is signed on the back, "Dury 1858".
Oil/gouache on paper.
This painting had previously been attributed to artist Washington Cooper in John Edwin Woodrow's book, "John Berrien Lindsley" (illustrated on page 85).

William Walker was a physician, lawyer, and journalist. A Nashvillian, Walker was the only Tennessee born president of another country, the Republic of Nicaragua.

At age 14, Walker graduated from the University of Nashville. He was then awarded a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania at age 19. He became qualified to practice law in New Orleans in 1847 and later became editor of the New Orleans Crescent. In 1848, he became the editor of the San Francisco Herald.

The "manifest destiny" vision of the time reflected Walker ambitions. In California, He began the efforts of organizing a filibustering expedition to conquer Lower California and the State of Sonora. He invaded Mexico in 1853 and proclaimed himself President of Lower California, violating U.S. neutrality laws. Later in 1853, Walker organized a small expedition of men to conquer Nicaragua. Within five months, he was made commander in chief of the new coalition provisional government of Nicaragua. In 1856, William Walker was elected as the President of Nicaragua. In the summer of 1856, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and San Salvador declared war on Nicaragua.

Cornelius Vanderbilt viewed Walker as a threat to his American Transit Company in Nicaragua and aligned Costa Ricans against him, forcing him to surrender to U.S. Naval Authorities. In 1857, Walker planned his return to Nicaragua with a force of 240 volunteers. Elements of the U.S. Navy demanded his surrender for violating U.S. neutrality acts. Walker was brought back to the U.S. where President James Buchanan and several Senators castigated him for his filibustering activities. Walker became bolstered by a wave of Southern support and unsuccessfully attempted subsequent expeditions to Nicaragua.

In 1860, The blockade maintained by British and American cruisers in the Caribbean forced Walker to take another route to Nicaragua through the east coast of Honduras. He was pursued by a large force of Hondurans and a British war ship. After surrendering to a British captain, Walker and his men were turned over to the Honduran authorities. Walker was given a trial and executed by firing squad on September 12th, 1860.

Note - William Walker was a close friend of Dr. John Berrien Lindsley, and this is the only portrait known painted from life of him. Original frame. Condition - very good condition for age, small tear to upper margin. Dimensions sight 7 1/2" x 9 1/2", frame 13 1/4" x 16 1/4". Circa 1858. Lindsley Warden estate.

Note - Nashville artist, Friedrich Julius George Dury was born in Wurzburg, Bavaria and exhibited at the Munich art Association. He arrived in Nashville in 1850 and painted several prominent Tennesseans including Felix Grundy and Civil War officers including General P.G.T. Beauregard, General William Rosecrans, General George Thomas, Governor Brownlow. He also did bust portraits of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.

Additional items with this lot - Four books related to William Walker: "The Southern Dream of a Caribbean Empire, 1854-1861" by Robert E. May, 1973 (signed and inscribed to Margaret Lindsley Warden), "Destiny and Glory" by Edward S. Wallace, 1957 (ex-library copy), and "El Filibustero" by Clinton Rollins (paperback, 1976), with author's signature and inscription to Margaret Lindsley Warden, which reads "The first volume of a set to be enriched by her generous contribution of Walker's letters to Dr. Lindsley (which will be reproduced in a succeeding volume) -- with cordial greetings from the author.", and "Freebooters must die: The Life and Death of William Walker.." by Frederick Rosengarten.

Additional items - a period photo showing two soldiers in a Central American setting standing in front of a fortified building with sandbags surrounding it. Stamped on the back, "MI BOHIO CIENFUEGOS".

Additional item - an eight page letter dated March 1872 Nashville written by J.C. Thompson in which Thompson gives a biographical summary of Walker's life to Scribner's Monthly, New York.

Last item - a letter from Nicaragua by Dr. Alejandro Bolanos Geyer in 1974 transcribing and translating to Spanish articles written by William Walker.

Labels: events, history, immigrants, mexico, nicaragua

Tonight at LP Field in Nashville, international soccer fans will watch Guatemala play Honduras and the U.S. play Canada for two Olympic openings up for grabs. The winner of each game will advance to the championship game on Sunday, March 23. Both teams in the championship game will compete in Beijing in August.

The qualifiers started in Tampa and Los Angeles have been conducted by the Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) since 1964. The last time the final round of qualifying games was held in the U.S. was in 2000.

According to this article in the Tennessean, "[o]nly 28,000 of the stadium's almost 69,000 seats will be open for fans to watch the U.S. play Canada and Guatemala play Honduras, and officials aren't expecting anything close to a sellout. A good turnout from the area's international and youth soccer communities is expected, however, because they represent the groups that most closely follow the sport nationwide."

March Madness and the Easter holiday are expected to keep some locals away, according to the Tennessean.

The Tennessean spoke with the coach of the Nashville Metros soccer team about the likelihood of Central American turnout this weekend:

Metros Coach Rico Laise, a native of Costa Rica, said Mexico's failure to advance to Nashville out of the original eight-team field would hurt attendance tonight, but Middle Tennesseans with ties to Guatemala and Honduras are likely to jump at a chance to be at LP Field.

"When a taste of home is available, they come out in droves," Laise said. "They are just thirsty for a taste of home and a taste of their culture.

The Tennessean also points out previous times that a U.S. national team has competed in LP Field, formerly known as Adelphia Coliseum - the 2004 women's team and the 2006 men's team played Canada and Morocco, respectively.

Ticket sales are expected to fall short of 15,000, which accompanied skepticism about Nashville from a former U.S. captain, quoted by the Tennessean:

"My initial reaction was like, 'Why there?' " said John Harkes, a former U.S. captain. "There has to be some reason behind it. Obviously it's not going to be the most supported event. It's not a real soccer-savvy market when you first think of it, though U.S. Soccer must have some ideas for why they are there."

Labels: events, guatemala, honduras, sports

COPLA (Committee of Latino Parents) sent out this recap of its event honoring former Metro Schools Director Pedro Garcia:

COPLA hosted a 'Celebration Night' to honor former Director of Metro Nashville Public Schools Dr. Pedro García.

COPLA Chair Ernestina González, Co-Chair Adelina Winston and support members Luis Del Rio, Gini Pupo-Walker, and Rubén De Peña sent out an invitation to community friends and former colleagues who gathered to celebrate Dr. Pedro García's contributions during his tenure as Metro Schools' Superintendent, including his vision for establishing COPLA.

In attendance: Eva Melo and husband Andrew (LatinMarketing Communications) Josias Arteaga (YMCA Hispanic Achievers) and wife, Fabian Bedne, Alfonso Nieto (Latino News) and wife, Eliud Treviño and Aida Hughes (El Crucero Newspaper), COPLA Chair Ernestina González, COPLA support members: Luis Del Rio and wife, Gini Pupo-Walker, Rubén De Peña and wife Dana; Pedro Quiterio (Engineer with Nissan North America), Sheyla Hicks (Spanish TV), Victor Rojas (Rojas Media Productions) José Quezada among many others including members of the school distric, members of COPLA and friends.

Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce* member Raul López, Vice-Chair Luis Bustillos, Treasurer Loraine Segovia and President Yuri Cunza were also present in support of COPLA's 'Celebration Night'.

For more information about COPLA call 615- 831-2967 or send an e-mail to: coplaboard@gmail.com

Labels: education, events

Recognized in corporate executive, nonprofit categories

On April 11, 2008, the Nashville Business Journal will host the Women Of Influence Awards Banquet to "outstanding women who are making great contributions to Middle Tennessee."

Among the four winners in the "Corporate Executive" category was Stephanie Valdez Streaty of Nissan North America, Inc. Among the five winners in "Nonprofit Leadership" was Renata Soto of Conexion Americas.

Soto is the director of Conexion Americas. Originally from Costa Rica, Soto has lived in the United States since 1993 and in Nashville since 1996.

Valdez Streaty is the senior manager of philanthropy and diversity communications for Nissan and is originally from Colorado.

Labels: business, costa rica, events

Goodpasture Christian graduate with Cuban heritage, founded Nashville law firm

Nashville attorney Marc Walwyn is in his last year as chairman of the board of directors of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce*, which is more commonly associated with its President, Yuri Cunza. Walwyn addressed the group in its recent annual meeting (text of address below), highlighting increased influence and interaction with other local and national groups. Profiles of the full board are available here, including one of Walwyn:

Marc Walwyn is an attorney of Cuban heritage and the founder of the only certified minority owned law firm in Tennessee. Marc is very proud that his lawyers and staff speak to clients in their own language which include Portuguese, Korean and Spanish. While serving large American companies, Walwyn takes pride on serving families and those who need an advocate. He served as an Administrative Law Judge in Chicago before returning to his home town of Nashville. Marc graduated from Goodpasture Christian High School, obtained his B.A. from Carleton College in Minnesota, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School where he served as Administrative Editor of the Wisconsin Law Review.

Walwyn's address to members of the chamber:

Dear members,

Last year has been both challenging and exciting for the NAHCC. Re energized by our successes we at the NAHCC will continue the work that will strengthen our Hispanic businesses and aggressively move the NAHCC forward.

This work cannot be done unless we all team up JUNTOS, because TOGETHER we can make a difference.

Serving as NAHCC Chairman has given me the opportunity to work with our Board of Directors to move the organization towards financial self-sufficiency.

This is a hard task for any volunteer board; I am very appreciative to those who have invested time and effort to advance the work of the NAHCC.

To our Board, President, staff and volunteers: THANK YOU for your determination and hard work.

Highlights from last year include our increased our influence and participation with the mainstream business community and government. We are here to serve our members, but to serve our members we are to work diligently, creating opportunities, building the much needed trust, creating a bridge between communities. In order to move forward the PARTICIPATION of all of us is needed.

To our members and supporters who helped us this past year, we THANK YOU for your time and commitment. JUNTOS we are creating a better Nashville for all.

Gracias
Marc Walwyn
NAHCC Chair 2006-2008

Upcoming events and announcements can be found on the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber's web site.

Labels: chambers, cuba, events, spanish

Journalists to interact with professors, service providers and Nashville’s immigrant communities

Today is the deadline for applying for Vanderbilt University's media fellowship - a seminar for journalists - on immigration. The event is called “Immigration: Nation’s Bedrock or Burden,” and is scheduled April 1-4. The deadline for registration is today.

Vanderbilt University encourages active journalists to apply to attend its 2008 media fellowship, “Immigration: Nation’s Bedrock or Burden,” April 1-4, 2008, in Nashville, Tenn.

The application deadline is March 7. Apply now.

Through interactions with professors and Nashville’s immigrant communities, journalists will have the opportunity to learn more about the complexities of new migration patterns that are leading many foreign-born people to cities like Nashville in the nation’s interior.

While border cities have been at the forefront of immigration issues, interior cities are now dealing with immigration’s implications for social services, health care, employment and the prospects for unionization. Nashville is emblematic of this change.

In a city known for being the buckle of the Bible belt and its country music roots – you can travel just a few miles from downtown’s Country Music Hall of Fame to find the sounds and flavors of Latin America, Ethiopia, Somalia and Kurdistan. Nashville is home to the largest Kurdish community in the United States and was one of only five cities in the country where Iraqi expatriates could cast their ballots in the 2005 Iraqi elections.

From 1990 to 2005, Tennessee experienced the fourth fastest rate of immigrant growth of any state in the country. Nashville experienced a three-fold increase in foreign-born residents – from 12,662 to 39,596 – according to the last U.S. Census Report.

The fellowship is available to a limited number of print, broadcast and experienced freelance journalists. Vanderbilt will cover the costs of lodging and some meals. The participant's employer is responsible for travel expenses and salary during the fellowship.

Labels: education, events, immigrants

Vanderbilt University issued this press release:

A Vanderbilt Divinity School professor will discuss what the Hebrew Bible has to say about immigration issues at a community breakfast on Thursday, March 13.

Alice Hunt, associate dean for academic affairs and assistant professor of Hebrew Bible at the divinity school, will speak on “Strangers, Aliens, Residents and Walls: The Bible and Immigration.”

The breakfast, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the refectory of Vanderbilt Divinity School, is open to the public but advance reservations are required to attend. Cost for breakfast is $10.

To register, call 615-936-8453 or go to www.vanderbilt.edu/divinity/breakfasts.html and register online.

Vanderbilt Divinity School stages several community breakfasts each semester to offer fellowship and insights on topics of interest.

Various studies of the intersection of immigration and the Bible are available on the Internet. Just search for the Bible and immigration on Google.

"God's love" photo by Michael Dorn. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Labels: education, events, faith, immigrants

Labels: argentina, arts, events, immigrants

Participants to speak directly with legislators

Record sixty-five immigrant-targeting bills in play, including Oklahoma clone and "English Prevention Act"

Tennessee lawmakers are considering a record 65 bills targeting immigrants (the bills are described in detail here), and ordinary people who want to have a say for immigrants and against those bills can attend the March 19 "New Americans Day on the Hill," organized by the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition ("TIRRC").

The bills put forward include a proposal to deny adult education - even English classes - based on immigration status, and a verbatim copy of the recently passed and controversial Oklahoma law (stories here).

The last day to register for New American Day on the Hill is today, February 25:

Be the change you want to see in Tennessee!

DON'T MISS THIS EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE YOUR CONCERNS TO STATE POLICYMAKERS

Click here to REGISTER NOW

Join us as we advocate on the important state issues impacting the lives of Tennessee's growing immigrant and refugee community.

New American Day on the Hill!

Wednesday, March 19th, 2008

(Registration required due to limited space)

We will be visiting Tennessee legislators in two sessions.

Morning Session: 8am-12:30pm (Please be there 7:45am)
Afternoon Session: 12:00pm-4:30pm (Please be there 11:45am)
We will meet at the Tennessee Bar Association, and will walk together to the legislature following a brief orientation.
The Tennessee Bar Association address is:
221 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 400,
Nashville, TN 37219

There are currently a record 65 ACTIVE ANTI-IMMIGRANT BILLS pending in the state legislature! For a list of bills click here. Please help us stop these misguided proposals, while at the same time advocating for policies that will help Tennessee immigrants and refugees integrate more effectively into their new society.

The Registration deadline is Monday, February 25, 2008 and is required in order to meet with your local representative.
Please register for the morning or afternoon session.
This event is FREE and open to anyone who supports the rights of immigrants & refugees.
(Parents, Children and Students are welcome)

Please help keep Tennessee moving forward by joining us at this extremely important event!

BE A COMMUNITY SPONSOR!!!
If your group promises to turn out five or more attendees, or if you would like to donate in-kind, your organization will be listed on the invitation as a community sponsor. This is a great way to support the efforts of TIRRC while benefiting your organization and its work around the state! For more details, please contact
Kasar Abdulla at 615.833.0384 x11 or kasar@tnimmigrant.org.

Labels: events, immigrants, justice