LINEA ABIERTA | THIS WEEK | PREVIOUS PROGRAMS

Linea Abierta Programs for May 2007

Tuesday, May 1st

PROGRAM # 5118 - 12:00 PDT
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION. On the first anniversary of the largest demonstrations in Latino history, civil-rights groups around the nation mobilize again to urge for immigration reform and a stop to federal mass deportation raids. In this segment of this extended special edition, pro-immigrant leaders give opinions on the STRIVE Act and President Bush’ plan. They also call to reach out to the business, religious and African-American communities and to contact congressional leaders. A new bill to allow many deportees to re-enter the country was also announced.

Guests: Dolores Huerta, pioneer of the civil rights movement, Los Angeles; Oscar Chacón, director, National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean
Communities, Chicago; Nativo López, national president of Mexican American Political Association and Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana, Los Angeles; Clarissa Martínez, Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Washington, DC.

PROGRAM # 5119. 13:00 PDT.
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION: Correspondents from around the country file news reports on the protests that take place in major immigrant enclaves. These rallies are considered the largest pro-immigrant actions since May Day 2006. Chicago and Phoenix are reported to host rallies with tens of thousands of demonstrators. A rally at Los Angeles City Hall is also gathering thousands. This is the second hour of this extended edition.

Guests: Jorge Salazar, Chicago; Elvia Díaz, Phoenix, AZ; Rubén Tapia, Los Angeles; Héctor Franco, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Yakima, WA; Eileen Trouax, La Opinión, Los Angeles; Marco Vinicio González, New York; Patricio Espinoza, San Antonio.

PROGRAM # 5120. 14:00 PDT.
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION. Station-based contributors and citizen reporters file stories on the unfolding pro-immigrant rallies in small-town USA. Thousands of demonstrators are reportedly turning out in Santa Rosa, CA; Mt. Vernon, WA; San Francisco, CA; and Salem, OR.

Guests: Rosalba Piña, Chicago; Carlos Béjar, KSVR, Mt. Vernon, WA; Luisa López, KBBF, Santa Rosa, CA; Hozcar Morales, KPCN, Salem, OR; Jesús Quevedo, Vecinos Unidos, Cutler, CA; Juanita Ponce, Inmigrantes Unidos por la Libertad, Immokalee, FL.

PROGRAM # 5121. 15:00 PDT.
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION: In this final hour of a special news coverage, listeners call in and provide reports illustrating the pro-immigrant actions they witness or support. On this day, a number of student and community groups are conducting public rallies, teach ins, vigils, visits to members of congress, and calls, faxes and emails to elected officials.

Guests: Nicolás Sarmiento, San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center, Alamosa, CO; Felipe Aguirre, Vice Mayor, Maywood, CA; William Martínez, Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Coalition, Minneapolis, MN; Ana Vargas, KHDC, Salinas, CA; Juvencio Rocha Peralta, President, Asociación de Mexicanos de Carolina del Norte, Raleigh, NC; Carlos Aparicio, director, Radio Bemba, Hermosillo, MX; Carmen Martínez, KBOO, Portland, OR.

Wednesday, May 2nd

PROGRAM # 5122 - 11:00 PDT
TEXAS EDITION – MAY 1: THE OUTCOMES. Host Samuel Schmidt analyzes the similarities and differences between last year and this week’s national rallies. Guest commentators also discuss the impact of the national rallies on the battle for the hearts and minds of the U.S. public and the struggle to reach a deal in Congress. A top legislator also comments on the restrictive bills mushrooming in state legislatures throughout the country.

Guests: Texas Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures, Austin, TX; Rafael Pulido, “El Pistolero”, DJ, Univisión Radio – Chicago; Lorenzo Cano, Associate director, Center for Mexican American Studies, University of Houston, Houston, TX.

Thursday, May 3rd

PROGRAM # 5123- 12:00 PDT
THE BATTLE ABOUT WAR SPENDING. President Bush vetoed this week a bill that pays for the war in Iraq and orders U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq by next April. This is a debate on the veto showdown and the challenge to end the war in Iraq.

Guests: Retired Colonel Erik Rojo, Consultant on security affairs, Magination Consulting International, Philadelphia, PA; Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles, Assistant to House Speaker Nancy Pelossi, Washington, DC.

ALSO, A GRIEVING FATHER. This is a brief interview with Juan Torres, father of Juan Torres, Jr, a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan under a cloud of suspicion. Torres was interviewed in Washington during a protest rally.

Friday, May 4th

PROGRAM # 5124 - 12:00 PDT
MEXICO EDITION. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of the Voz Pública series from Mexico City. The civic journalist brings news and analysis on Mexican developments.

PROGRAM # 5125 - 13:00 PDT
PUERTO RICO EDITION. In this pre-taped edition from San Juan, PR, WRTU’s Wanda Colón Cortés, brings news and analysis on major developments in the Caribbean basin.

Monday, May 7th

PROGRAM # 5126 - 12:00 PDT
PROGRAM # 5126 - 12:00 PDT
MICHOACAN SIMULCAST: MIGRANT SUMMIT. Hundreds of migrant activists and international experts convene in Morelia for the First Summit of Latin American Migrant Communities. The conference is scheduled to address the root causes of migration and the increasing number of restrictive migration policies in the hemisphere. This roundtable in simulcast with the twelve-station network of Radio Michoacán reviews news items in the agenda in anticipation of the conference. www.cumbredemigrantes.org

Guests: Dr. Gustavo López Castro, professor and social researcher, Centro de Estudios Rurales, El Colegio de Michoacán, Zamora; José Luis Gutiérrez, Director, Governor’s Office of New Americans Policy and Advocacy, Chicago, IL.

Tuesday, May 8th

PROGRAM # 5127 - 12:00 PDT
IMMIGRATION EDITION. A civil liberties organization has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a child who was detained and placed in a locked room during an immigration sweep. They also demand details on migrant deportations from the federal government. An immigration reform bill is expected to reach the
floor of the U.S. Senate in the next days. Host Rosalba Piña interviews guest experts on these and other stories and comments on the ramifications of the recent giant rally in Chicago.

Guests: Federico de Jesús, spokesperson, Sen. Harry Reid, U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Washington, DC; Attorney María Blanco, director, Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights, San Francisco, CA. www.lawyerscommittee.org

Wednesday, May 9th

PROGRAM # 5128 - 11:00 PDT
TEXAS EDITION – MEXICO’S OIL DOLLARS. This is a conversation with George Baker, a business energy expert from Houston, on the politics behind Mexico’s oil production.

Thursday, May 10th

PROGRAM # 5123- 12:00 PDT
MIGRANT SUMMIT: LIVE REPORTS. In the opening day of the migrant summit in Morelia, Radio Bilingüe and Radio Michoacán collaborate to bring the news on this special gathering of migrant leaders, policy makers and migration researchers from the hemisphere. Issues in the agenda include the use of money remittances to foster job and economic development in migrant communities; the STRIVE Act in the U.S., and more. www.cumbredemigrantes.org

Guests: Oscar Chacón, Director, National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities – NALAAC, Chicago, www.nalaac.org; Speech excerpts from Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Mexico’s Chancellor and Governor Juan Manuel Oliva Ramírez, migrant affairs coordinator for the National Conference of Governors CONAGO; Oscar Méndez, reporter, Radio Michoacán; Ruben Tapia, correspondent; Mayra Chacón, Director, Latina Health Program, Chicago; Manolo Gutiérrez Hernández, Michoacan migrant who returned to Zacapu, his hometown; Luis Bassegio, Secretario, Grito dos Excluidos Continental, Servicio Pastoral Dos Migrantes, Brasil. www.gritodosexcluidos.com.br

Friday, May 11th

PROGRAM # 5129 - 12:00 PDT
MEXICO EDITION. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of the Voz Pública series from Mexico City. The civic journalist brings news and analysis on Mexican developments.

PROGRAM # 5130 - 13:00 PDT
PUERTO RICO EDITION. In this pre-taped edition from San Juan, PR, WRTU’s Wanda Colón Cortés, brings news and analysis on major developments in the Caribbean basin.

Monday, May 14th

PROGRAM # 5131 - 12:00 PDT
LAPD PROBED ON BRUTAL ATTACK AGAINST IMMIGRATION RALLY. Los Angeles police officers are being investigated for possible violation of civil rights in connection with the violent crush of pro-immigrant demonstrators and members of the media on May 1. This week, Mayor Villaraigosa is leading a vigil on Mac Arthur Park, site of the incident.

Guests: Alvaro Huerta, spokesperson, Coalition for Humane Immigration Reform of Los Angeles; Attorney Luis Carrillo, lawyer for 17 victims, Los Angeles; Jazmin Marroquín, mother of two, injured by police use of force, Los Angeles.

LOU DOBBS, A LIFETIME HISPANIC JOURNALIST. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists has accepted CNN host Lou Dobbs as a lifetime member. Dobbs membership has sparked heated controversy, considering the vitriolic rhetoric against immigrants of this prime time TV anchor. Iván Román, executive director of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, responds to questions on this topic.

Tuesday, May 15th

PROGRAM # 5132 - 12:00 PDT
IMMIGRATION SHOWDOWN IN THE SENATE. Republican and Democratic Senators have not reached any agreement on a bipartisan immigration reform bill. Despite objections from Republicans, Democratic leaders have introduced a bill in an attempt to force a debate for the next two weeks. The debate is scheduled to start in the next hours.

Guests: Nilda Pedroza, Senior policy advisor, Sen. Mel Martínez, R-FL, Washington, DC; Federico de Jesús, spokesperson, Sen. Harry Reid, U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Washington, DC; Clarissa Martínez de Castro, Campaign director, Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Washington, DC.

Wednesday, May 16th

PROGRAM # 5133 - 11:00 PDT
TEXAS EDITION – HIGH-ACHIEVING SCHOOLS. This is a conversation with Héctor Sánchez, policy analyst with The Education Trust, Inc. in Washington, DC, on exemplary schools that have shown remarkable success in educating low-income students and students of color to achieve high academic levels.

Thursday, May 17th

PROGRAM # 5134- 12:00 PDT
“GREEN NOBEL”. Peruvian Shipibo Indian Julio Cusurichi was recently awarded in San Francisco the Goldman Award, known as the Environmental Nobel Prize. Cusurichi was recognized for his fight against illegal logging of mahogany trees in Peru’s rain forest and in defense of indigenous nomadic tribes. This is an interview with Cucinich, leader of Federación Nativa del Río Madre de Dios.

ALSO, ENVIRONMENTAL LAWSUIT AGAINST CHEVRON. This is a conversation with Pablo Fajardo, the lead attorney in a lawsuit against Chevron Corp. on behalf of Ecuadorean Indian and settler communities. They are seeking to force the California-based oil giant to clean up a rain forest that became a toxic-waste dump as a result of oil drilling operations. Fajardo recently visited California to address Chevron’s annual shareholder meeting and invite Gov. Schwarzenegger, a beneficiary of Chevron’s donations, to visit and tour the contaminated Lago Agrio area. Fajardo represents the Frente de Defensa de la Amazonia.

ALSO, IMMIGRATION REFORM DEAL. Republican and Democratic Senators have reached a deal on basic goals for immigration reform. The deal includes border security, worksite enforcement, a temp worker program, a new merit-based point system for future immigrants, and a plan to legalize undocumented workers. Cecilia Muñoz, top analyst for the National Council of La Raza, comments on this late-breaking news.

Friday, May 18th

PROGRAM # 5135 - 12:00 PDT
MEXICO EDITION. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of the Voz Pública series from Mexico City. The civic journalist brings news and analysis on Mexican developments.

PROGRAM # 5136 - 13:00 PDT
PUERTO RICO EDITION. In this pre-taped edition from San Juan, PR, WRTU’s Wanda Colón Cortés, brings news and analysis on major developments in the Caribbean basin.

Monday, May 21st

PROGRAM # 5137 - 12:00 PDT
UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE. Amid growing furor over proposed cuts to benefits for welfare recipients and disabled people, California Gov. Swcharzenegger and Democratic legislative leaders continue working on a plan to change the health care system. A new coalition of big companies has joined the campaign and calls for medical insurance for everyone. Political analysts discuss these initiatives.

Guests: Isabel Alegría, Communications director, California Immigrant Policy Center, Oakland, CA; Lupe Alonso-Diaz, executive director, Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, Sacramento, CA; Dr. Adela de la Torre, director and professor of Chicana/o Studies, University of California, Davis.

ALSO, SENATE DEBATES ON IMMIGRATION BILL. Sen. Bob Menéndez, D-NJ, a key member of the negotiating team in the recent deal on an immigration reform bill, joins this program live from Capitol Hill to denounce major provisions of the deal, including the family reunification woes and the roadblocks to the stay of guest workers.

Tuesday, May 22nd

PROGRAM # 5138 - 12:00 PDT
IMMIGRATION DEBATE BEGINS. After a bipartisan compromise on major issues, the U.S. Senate begins this week a debate to reform the immigration system. The compromise bill includes mega-funding for border control and immediate work authorization for immigrants who arrived before January 1, 2007. Rosalba Piña brings the latest news from Capitol Hill, hosts interviews with newsmakers, and facilitates opinions from listeners.

Wednesday, May 23rd

PROGRAM # 5139 - 11:00 PDT
TEXAS EDITION – THE IMMIGRATION DEAL AND BORDER SECURITY. The immigration reform deal agreed by Senate leaders and the White House highlights a border security and enforcement provision. How is this proposal viewed by communities along the U.S./Mexico border? Samuel Schmidt hosts this program from El Paso, TX.

Guests: Attorney Carlos Spector Calderón, immigration policy analyst, El Paso, TX; Fernando García, director, Border Network for Human Rights, member of U.S.-Mexico Task Force on Border and Immigration, El Paso, TX.

Thursday, May 24th

PROGRAM # 5140- 12:00 PDT
IMMIGRATION DEBATE ON CAPITOL HILL. This program brings news developments on the immigration-reform bill discussed in Capitol Hill. The program includes Sen. Robert Menéndez (D-NJ) announcing an amendment to help eliminate barriers for the family reunification of permanent residents with spouses and children. It also includes a report by producer Sara Shakir on Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO) comments on the penalties and the touch-back requirements included in the current bill. Listeners are encouraged to air their concerns and hopes.

Guests: Fabiola Rodríguez, spokesperson, Hillary Clinton for President Campaign; Alex Burgos, spokesperson, Romney for President Campaign; Flavia Jiménez, National Council of La Raza, Washington, DC.

Friday, May 25th

PROGRAM # 5141 - 12:00 PDT
MEXICO EDITION. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of the Voz Pública series from Mexico City. The civic journalist brings news and analysis on Mexican developments.

PROGRAM # 5142 - 13:00 PDT
PUERTO RICO EDITION. In this pre-taped edition from San Juan, PR, WRTU’s Wanda Colón Cortés, brings news and analysis on major developments in the Caribbean basin.

Monday, May 28th

PROGRAM # 5143 - 12:00 PDT
MEMORIAL DAY EDITION. This pre-taped program includes the following topics:

THE SHORT STORY OF JOSE ANTONIO GUTIERREZ. This documentary tells the story of an orphan Guatemalan immigrant who became the second U.S. marine to die in Iraq. Gutierrez, who had enlisted in the Marine Corps to help his citizenship application, received a posthumous citizenship. This is a conversation with Erika Harzer, director and screenwriter of the film, from Berlin, Germany. www.theshortlife-film.com

ALSO, THE ARREDONDO TRAGEDY. Marine Lance Corporal Alex Arredondo was killed in Iraq during combat in 2004. When three uniformed marines brought the news home, his father Carlos set the soldiers van on fire. Carlos suffered burns on much of his body. This is a recent interview with Carlos and wife Melida on their anti-war activism and their efforts to heal their emotional wounds.

ALSO, ROAD FROM AR RAMADI. After serving in the Army for nine years, Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejía became the first known Iraq veteran to refuse to fight. He was convicted of desertion and sentenced to prison. He served nine months. In his book “Road from Ar Ramadi,” Mejía tells the story of his journey from soldier to pacifist. www.thenewpress.com

Tuesday, May 29th

PROGRAM # 5144 - 12:00 PDT
THE HIDDEN RISKS FOR MIGRANTS. How does chronic low-dose exposure to pesticides affect the health of farm workers. Some studies associate pesticide exposure with respiratory problems, memory disorders, cancer,birth defects and other health problems. A team of researchers and community advocates are also looking at the language and cultural barriers that prevent migrant indigenous workers from receiving basic health services in Oregon.

Guests: Julie Samples, Coordinator of “Promoting the Occupational Health ofIndigenous Farm workers” Project, Oregon Law Center, Woodburn, OR; Santiago
Ventura, case worker, Indigenous Farm Worker Project, Oregon Law Center, Woodburn, OR, www.oregonlawcenter.org; Carmen Ramírez, Farm Worker Housing Development, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos, Woodburn, OR

Wednesday, May 30th

PROGRAM # 5145 - 11:00 PDT
TEXAS EDITION – THE WAR. Director Ken Burns documentary “The War,” on World War II is scheduled to broadcast in September on the public television
network PBS. The absence of Latinos has generated a heated controversy among Latino veterans and civil-rights advocates. While the producer agreed to
incorporate the voices of Latino WWII veterans, critics of the film series continue pressing for answers as to how and how much. Samuel Schmidt hosts
this weekly segment from El Paso, TX.

Guest: Gus Chávez, co-founder, Defend the Honor Campaign, Director Emeritus, EOP, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA; Eulalio Calderón, veteran of the Korean War, Del Río, TX.

Thursday, May31st

PROGRAM # 5146- 12:00 PDT
ETHANOL. The Bush administration has made ethanol a cornerstone of its plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ethanol is being advertised as a renewable, homegrown and clean alternative to gasoline. Is it really a clean, efficient and healthy alternative? This is a debate on this issue.

Guests: Amy Miranda, Biochemical platform technology manager, Office of Biomass, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC; Dr. Ignacio Chapela, Professor of Microbiology Ecology, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley.

ALSO, VOLATILE GAS PRICES. This week begins the summer driving season around the country and the sky-rocketing gas prices threaten to inflict a heavy
toll on the finances of U.S. families. How can commuters and vacationers plan their expenditures?

Guest: Vanessa Cárdenas, Center for American Progress, Washington, DC.

Funds for Línea Abierta are provided in part by The California Endowment, the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Community Technology Foundation of California, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

To tune in to this news service, check our Affiliate Stations page to find your nearest station. Also, the audio of these news stories will soon be available live in this same website.

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