LULAC, PCDP and Arizona Democratic Hispanic Caucus Call on RNC Committeeman Bruce Ash to Apologize or Resign Over Racial Remarks

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Pima County Democratic Party (PCDP) has issued the following press release:

LULAC, PCDP and Arizona Democratic Hispanic Caucus Call on RNC Committeeman Bruce Ash to Apologize or Resign Over Racial Remarks

The League of United Latin American Citizens, the Arizona Democratic Hispanic Caucus and the Pima County Democratic Party are calling on Republican National Committeeman Bruce Ash to apologize for an appalling racial generalization he made last week during a call into the Jon Justice show.

Ash called into the Jon Justice show last week to comment on a public safety forum. He told listeners "if you ask the brown people, who live on the South Side, the West Side or in South Central, they will tell you how much fear they have." http://www.rumromanismrebellion.net/2009/10/30/bruce-ash-has-pity-for-the-poor-brown-man/

U.S. Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva also called on Ash to either apologize, or step down.

"Mr. Ash's divisive and irresponsible language only furthers racial stereotypes that are counterproductive to racial progress," Grijalva said. "I think that he should apologize or explain exactly what he meant when he said 'brown people;' who was he referring to?'"

His comments linked crime to skin color, when Tucson Police Department statistics show crime actually follows Interstate 10. LULAC also asks state Republicans if Ash is the kind of national representative they want.

"Bruce Ash's derogatory comments were appalling," said Anna Valenzuela, LULAC's state director. "He owes the Latino community an apology for his offensive language."

David Olvera, chairman of the Arizona Democratic Hispanic Caucus said Ash's comments were offensive because they tied crime to skin color.

"These ugly and insensitive remarks do not belong in the public debate," Olvera said. "To suggest that strong Latino communities are crime-infested is over-the-top. Their houses may not be as big as in Bruce Ash's neighborhood but they are safe."

State Sen. Paula Aboud echoed that remark, saying Ash should either apologize or be removed from a position of leadership in the Republican Party.

"It's a shame that Bruce Ash would see the world in the way that he does, in obsolete and offensive stereotypes," Aboud said. "The Republican Party can show it doesn't share his view by making a change."

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