Arizona's New Immigration Law a Sad Sign of the Times for America, Says Congressional Candidate
WINTER SPRINGS, FLA., May 5 2010 --- Arizona's controversial new immigration law is a sad sign of the times in America, said Paul Partyka, the former Winter Springs mayor who is running for the Democratic nomination to U.S. Congress in Florida's 24th District.
"Arizona's immigration law was introduced in order to fan the flames of hatred and discrimination, not to address a social problem," Partyka said. "It is cynical political divisiveness that's just what American voters are disgusted with and why many incumbents will find themselves out of a job come November," Partyka said.
"The real threat that the Arizona immigration law poses for America---and similar legislation is being talked about now in Texas---is that it asks Americans to participate in a particularly vitriolic form of discrimination in order to divide Americans into opposing camps. That is crass, cynical political manipulation that recalls some of the darkest days of civilization," Partyka said.
Partyka said discriminatory laws hit close to home for him.
"My own family was a victim of just such discrimination. My own mother was arrested by the Nazis and shipped to a work camp in Germany from the Ukraine. She never saw her family again. My family immigrated to America to live where that sort of discrimination is not and will not be tolerated," he said.
"Half a century ago, Adolph Hitler used just such discrimination against Jews, Poles and Slavs as a way to fire up his political supporters," Partyka said. "The end result of that strategy was one of the darkest eras in human history," Partyka said.
"I could never be a part of that. Nor can I enter public life without condemning it," Partyka said.
"Apologists may say this is not an issue a Florida Congressional candidate should concern himself with, but I say this law and others like it are a dire threat to American values, and every honest American has a duty to speak out against them," he added.
For more information please contact:
Bud Brewer, Massey Communications, 407-581-4222 x 702 Bud@masseycommunications.com;
Christian Frazier, Co-Campaign Manager, 407-313-3136 x 1143 cfrazier@gocentrix.com;
Kevin Reynolds, Co-Campaign Manager, 407-234-9422 ksreynolds74@cfl.rr.com;
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com.
