I know it’s late on a Friday. But this is important.
I couldn’t believe it.
Americans everywhere took to the streets this week to celebrate our country’s independence. In amazing showings of patriotism, friends and neighbors came together to celebrate our freedom and diversity in floats parading down Main Streets across America.
But, among all those patriotic displays, one stood out. Right here in New Mexico, the Las Cruces Tea Party chose to show their patriotism with the confederate flag – over a sign that said “change again in 2012.”
What’s worse – the City of Las Cruces just named their float the best of show and El Paso Electric gave them a $1,000 prize! That’s right. The city’s July 4th commission apparently thought the Tea Party’s float, displaying a relic of hate and division, best represented what it means to be an American!
The Mesilla Valley and all of New Mexico deserve better. New Mexico is a minority-majority state, with diversity that should be celebrated not oppressed. I’m not surprise the Tea Party would think this is OK – but our elected officials and community leaders should know better.
The City of Las Cruces sponsored this parade and selected the Tea Party’s confederate flag flying float as the winner. We need you to tell the Mayor and City Council and El Paso Electric to take back that award and take a stand against hate and division.
Take action now to send the Mayor and Council your message. Tell them that the Confederate Flag is not New Mexico’s most patriotic symbol, and encourage them to do something better with their $1,000 prize!
-Marsha Garcia,
Communications Specialist, ProgressNow NM
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