It's that time of year again: the New Mexico legislative session, where laws are made that affect every person in our state. No other time is more important for you to let your state senators and representatives know what issues you support.
We've seen more bad bills introduced in this legislative session than we have in recent memory, some of which--should they pass--would constitute a serious and possibly permanent blow to civil liberties in New Mexico. We need your help to ensure that this does not happen.
However, there are a few bright spots out there, like SB 152 and SB 151:
Currently, state police in New Mexico are required to ask the immigration status of anyone they arrest. We need to guard against these kinds of policies that diminish public safety and invite racial profiling by passing SB 152, the “No Fear” bill. SB 152 would prohibit police from inquiring into people’s immigration status, reducing racial profiling and ensuring that victims and witnesses of crime are never afraid to ask for help.
When natural disasters struck San Diego and New Orleans, some immigrants reported that emergency responders denied their families emergency relief services because they were undocumented. SB 151 makes this potentially deadly form of discrimination illegal in New Mexico. Emergency service providers should never ask anyone in danger, “Show me your papers.”
Please call your senator today and ask them to support SB 152 and SB 151 to keep our communities safe and stop Arizona-style racial profiling in New Mexico.
Here is a short video tutorial demonstrating how to find your legislator and ask them to support the fundamental rights of New Mexicans:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDo3t-OMjKo

Here's a sample script for your call:

Hello, my name is [name] and I'm a  constituent of [your senator]. I am calling you today to urge [your senator] to help keep our communities safe by supporting of Senate Bills 152 and 151.
People in New Mexico should never be afraid that contacting the police or emergency services will lead to an inquiry into their immigration status. SB 151 and 152 will help prevent racial profiling and keep our communities safe.
Thank you for your time, and please let [your legislator] know that I support SB 152 and SB 151 and urge [him/her] to do the same in the Senate.

Useful links:

• Find your legislator
• Find your zip + 4
• Tips on contacting your legislator, by Pat Davis

Early this month, the Iowa Legislature heard testimony from 19 year-old Zach Wahls as it considered amending the Iowa Constitution to reflect the discriminatory views of an ever-shrinking percentage of the public by limiting the legal definition of marriage to a union between one man and one woman. Zach eloquently delivered his message as a student at the University of Iowa, an owner of a small business, and a successful son of two proud and loving mothers. In his brief address, Zach touched upon some of his most deeply-seated beliefs and most influential experiences that portray a compelling picture of everyday life in a family headed by a same-sex couple – a picture that would appear very familiar to families everywhere in almost every aspect. Zach and his family do have an alternative story, however. Due to statutory prohibitions on the freedom to marry, same-sex couples and families have long been denied the rights that many take for granted and could not imagine living without. Unfortunately, Iowa does not stand alone in its push for a Definition of Marriage Amendment (DOMA) – New Mexico is currently considering not one, but three separate DOMA bills in the 2011 Legislative Session (HJR 7 and SJR 4, which define marriage and HJR 8 that prohibits legal recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages).

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSQQK2Vuf9Q

By amending the New Mexico Constitution to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, the people of New Mexico would codify into law the discrimination that Zach and many others cite as the most formidable barrier to societal inclusion that LGBT families face today. Indeed, the meaning of marriage extends far beyond mere fiscal benefits associated with civil unions. Constitutional amendments that limit the definition of marriage define far more than the meaning of a word – they define the way in which many American families live, interact with their neighbors, and identify themselves.

Discriminatory practices and attitudes against LGBT individuals and families have been entrenched in our society for too long, and the time is ripe for swift and effective change. Now, more than ever, public sentiment favors fair treatment to discrimination, equality over exclusion. Same-sex couples that once were forced to love in silence now declare publically their commitment to each other and to the families they raise, stating unequivocally that they do not wish to change the institution of marriage – they merely want to join it.

The ACLU strongly opposes the passage of these discriminatory and unconstitutional DOMA bills which deny the freedom to marry to gay and lesbian couples. However, the push for equal rights to marriage must begin and end with the people:

Please inform your state representative and senator that you oppose amending the Constitution to make discrimination official policy in New Mexico.

Ryan Schotter

Intern - ACLU of New Mexico

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2011
CONTACT: Micah McCoy, (972) 740-6675 or [email protected]
SANTA FE, N.M. - Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) strongly condemned Governor Susana Martinez's executive order that mandated that police check the immigration status of everyone they arrest. This order rescinds Governor Richardson's order that instructed local law enforcement to refrain from inquiring into a suspect's immigration status.
The following can be attributed to Peter Simonson, ACLU Executive Director:
"This executive order invites racial profiling by giving an incentive to police to arrest people who look and sound "foreign." New Mexicans should not have to fear that a broken taillight or other pretextual stop will lead to their arrest because of the color of their skin. Gov. Martinez has created a SB 1070-like policy, contradicting her own commitment to keep our state from following in Arizona's footsteps."
The text of Governor Martinez's executive order can be found at: http://governor.state.nm.us/uploads/FileLinks/20e5f2e740f34a2297a940e2ba...

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