We Can Stop The Hate

Action Alert

Tell CNN to Use Their Air Time Responsibly and to Stop Parroting Hate Speech

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Lou Dobbs

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Mr. Jim Walton
President
CNN Worldwide
1 CNN Center
Atlanta, GA  30303

Dear  Mr. Walton:

I write to convey my deep dismay over your network's complicity in broadcasting hate speech by spokespeople who have ties to known vigilante and hate groups.

News programs such as Lou Dobbs Tonight regularly offer national platforms to spokespeople who represent known vigilante and hate groups - such as Jim Gilchrist and Chris Simcox from the Minuteman Project and Dan Stein from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).  These spokespeople regularly appear on network television as anti-immigration "expert commentators" and pundits.  Rarely is their status as a representative of a hate or vigilante group acknowledged or challenged.  Rarely do they face anyone with an opposing viewpoint.  A cursory review of network listings shows that these three alone have appeared at least 110 times on network programming over the last three years.  And there are many others with strong ties to extremist groups who   appear on your programming.

Our broken immigration system is a serious policy matter for which many legitimately concerned Americans want to find a solution; at NCLR, we want to find a solution, too.  Let me be clear: I do not believe that everyone who is concerned about securing our borders is part of a hate group.  But it is inappropriate and offensive for network television to provide a microphone to individuals and organizations that espouse vigilantism, white supremacy, and even violence in the immigration debate.  There is no excuse for television talk show hosts and commentators failing to investigate the backgrounds of the people they invite on their shows to speak on the issue of immigration.

Consider the three spokespeople mentioned above whom your network has allowed to spread their messages of hate:

Chris Simcox, who appeared at least seven times on CNN - including three appearances on Lou Dobbs Tonight -, was convicted in 2003 of carrying a weapon into a national park while searching for illegal immigrants.  That year, he was quoted as saying, "So far, we've had restraint, but I'm afraid that restraint is wearing thin.  Take heed of our weapons because we're going to defend our borders by any means necessary."

Dan Stein, who appeared at least 18 times on CNN, has warned that certain immigrant groups are engaged in "competitive breeding" aimed at diminishing white power.

Jim Gilchrist, who appeared at least 12 times on CNN, has said, "Illegal immigrants will destroy this country.  Every time a Mexican flag is planted on American soil, it is a declaration of war."

The nightly news is regularly filled with spokespeople espousing vigilantism and fear.  They often speak in code, calling immigrants "criminals," "an army of invaders," and "diseased," and children born to immigrants are referred to as "anchor babies."  Equally appalling, many of the media's talk show hosts and commentators parrot this hate speech on their broadcasts.

Hate speech takes a toll on Hispanics in the U.S., including hardworking American citizens and legal residents.  The U.S. Department of Justice reports that hate crimes against Latinos are up 23% this year nationwide and have doubled in California.  The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League have documented dozens of physical assaults on Latinos, most of whom are U.S. citizens, by people spouting anti-immigrant rhetoric.  Many more such crimes go unreported.

I urge you to keep such "expert commentators" off the air.  I further urge you to make sure that your network's talk show hosts and commentators refrain from using code words of hate.  Such rhetoric should not be tolerated.  Hate speech has no legitimate role on network television.  Issues such as immigration can be explored legitimately and thoroughly without demonizing an entire group of people.

Thank you for your attention to these urgent concerns.

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