Congressman Raul Grijalva is calling for an investigation into the recent recall flier attacking Sunnyside School Board member Daniel Hernandez for being gay. The press release from Grijalva’s office:
Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva will hold a press conference at 12:30PM Arizona time to discuss the recent aggression directed at Sunnyside School Board Member, Daniel Hernandez. The event is at The Historic Y located at 738 N. 5th Avenue in the conference room. In advance of the event, the Congressman released the following statement.
“As a proud graduate of Sunnyside School District, I find myself deeply offended and disgusted by the malicious attacks being directed at Mr. Hernandez. In public life, we all endure some baseless personal attacks but the trend to malign political figures based on race, gender, or sexual orientation is unfortunately becoming a norm of campaigning which has no place in our democratic process.
“This trend is fueled by anonymous and cowardly groups and individuals who have turned politics and campaigning into an exercise of personal destruction. My campaigns have endured racist and personal attacks with increasing frequency and the anonymous parties responsible are never held accountable.
“As I saw this situation unfolded in the Sunnyside School District, it became apparent the abuse of Mr. Hernandez was not only politically motivated but also driven by hate and prejudice.
“Today, my office will ask the Pima County Attorney’s office to fully investigate these recent attacks on Mr. Hernandez.
“We will also ask the Pima County School Superintendent’s office to initiate an investigation into the matter.
“Finally, we will make an inquiry to the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI to assist the offices of the Pima County Attorney and School Superintendent in a vigorous investigation of the attacks as a hate crime.
“Mr. Hernandez is an openly gay man, and in this nation that is not a crime. The extension of rights and protections against hate crimes is afforded to him and all Americans.
“Political differences and opposition are part of the accepted realities of democracy but when the differences are manifested in anti-gay, vicious, and anonymous attacks we must draw the line. That is why accountability through a lawful investigation is not only needed but essential to the balance of decency in our civic and political life.”
This article appears in Aug 29 – Sep 4, 2013.
Congressman Raul Grijalva is on the mark!!! Mr. Hernanfez is an openly gay man; was elected to the Board by the Voters of the Sunnyside School District. He should be evaluated by his effectiveness in improving the Academics within Sunnyside…NOT…his sexual orientation.
The individuals that have orchestrated this hate campaign against Mr. Hernandez must be identified and shown for want the are: HATEFUL/HOMOPHOBIC/DESPICIBLE/COWARDS!!!
I grew up with Gonzalez family members and have always felt they made up a decent part of the community. I hope they are better people than this publicity leads readers to believe. Even if we are different than others, doesn’t make it ok to attack people for those differences. As Latinos wanting to be respected by the community at large, we must have that same respect for those same Latinos within out communities. LGBT persons are our brothers, daughters, cousins, friends, co-workers, parents, etc.
I grew up with Gonzalez family members and have always felt they made up a decent part of the community. I hope they are better people than this publicity leads readers to believe. Even if we are different than others, doesn’t make it ok to attack people for those differences. As Latinos wanting to be respected by the community at large, we must have that same respect for those same Latinos within out communities. LGBT persons are our brothers, daughters, cousins, friends, co-workers, parents, sanchos, etc.
“Put a REAL Man on the Sunnyside Board”
I think the REAL Man here is the guy who braves gunfire to save a friend, rather than the anonymous coward who smears him with an unsigned flyer
This should be treated as a hate crime and the D of J should be involved. I can only guess who did this.
Saying someone is “obviously gay” is NOT attacking them. If he has the RIGHT to be Gay, then WE have the right to KNOW that.
The only value that should matter in these competing recalls is the value of promoting quality education for the students in SUSD. The majority on the SUSD Governing Board clearly does not share that value. The majority has favored the interests of its unethical superintendent over the interest of its students. Whatever value that demonstrates is a far bigger negative than someone’s sexual preference.
GuiseppeKnows :
Where in the US Constitution/Arizona Constitution/Federal Statutes/States Statutes/County-City Statutes does it say the you, a Voter/Citizen, have the RIGHT to know the sexual orientation of a Political Candidate/Official? Answer: NOWHERE!!
The only RIGHT that you have is what, Mr. Hernandez, in this case, chooses to make public…which he has done. It is entirely at his discretion.
The RIGHT-TO-KNOW that you refer to is derived from your bigoted Religious Beliefs that you try to impose on others.
Don’t ask, don’t tell. PERIOD !
Why do those who are gay feel like they need to let everyone know it? Then when it’s brought up against them, they scream bloody murder and all hell breaks loose.
Why is the State of Arizona and its local political organizations always touting hateful, illegal action which ALWAYS seem to get it into Federal trouble?!? Sheriff Airpieface, being the lead bonehead among many, assumes that he is some sort of sacred tombstone law official whom God officially called into office. He’s a fool and a scoundrel and nobody seems to know/or care how silly this guy acts. And then there are the hateful cowards who hide behind their mommy’s or wifey’s skirts for protection? Sorry, blokes… it ain’t gonna work this time.