JeSuisAntonio would also be an appropriate title. But this time the whole of Pasco is involved.
Headline: “Police Shoot Unarmed Man!” Yes, it happened again. This time in the city of Pasco in Washington state. This time (and in past times) the victim was a Mexican citizen, working in the U.S.
Who knows what made Antonio Zambrano-Montes, 35 years of age, throw rocks at cars (no other weapon) on of February 10th 2015? Depression? What excuse do police have this time? There were three policemen involved; the department will not say how many shots were fired. There is video; one can google. Who knows (yet) why this is the fourth shooting in six months by police of Pasco? Who knows if and when justice will be done?
Who knows (lots of speculation) why there is no violent “Ferguson” (yet?). There are protests, yes, but no confrontational rising up of the entire community, 56 percent Latino. The 44 percent should count themselves as lucky. There is no Latino representation in Pasco government. Those lucky 44 percent live alongside many law-abiding, hard-working people.
Could the reason for the non-violent reaction of the people be cultural? Could it be religious? Could it be (probably, in part) due to fear? Some 24 percent of the population is undocumented (NPR, 20 Feb. 2015). Many have been fed lies about deportation if they were to protest visibly.
The Latino population in Pasco is hard working. The area is ripe with cherries, apples, potatoes. Pasco and the nation need those workers. The workers need to feel secure. They need to receive the equal protection of the laws, constitutionally required for citizen and non-citizen alike, regardless of race, creed, gender or color.
Citizens and non-citizens of Pasco expect law enforcement agencies to understand and to be trained to follow the law. No more “shoot first, ask questions later.” Pasco has begun a “coroner’s inquest” into the death of Mr. Zambrano-Montes. His family expects no less.
“Consejo Latino,” a civic organization in Pasco, and others are protesting. They have petitioned U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, to investigate this death and others. The Mexican government through its President, Peña Nieto, has protested. The Washington State Police is investigating. Good people of the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, and others across the land are aware and watching, to see if justice will be done. The three police officers involved in the shooting? They are currently on “administrative leave, with pay.”
Parallels to Ferguson (Missouri) shootings of an unarmed man of color and to the New York City choking of an unarmed man of color spring to mind. Reactions to violence, such as the “JeSuisCharlie” movement in Europe, and such as national and international protests to the murdered “43” students in Guerrero, Mexico are natural, if not adequate as remedies.
One hopes for an even greater groundswell of righteous indignation about the oppressive use of force against Mexicans, Mexican Americans and African Americans in the United States. Responsible Americans of all ethnicities are outraged. It would be appropriate for south Texas media and people to join such a cause now, on behalf of agricultural workers, on behalf of cross-border relations, on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Washington, on behalf of human rights.
