City Clerk Jean Natale's "maccaa" moment. Danbury 11 rally, Sept 2006. Photo by ctblogger
This weekend, I thought it would be good to refresh everyone on the Danbury 11 case.
From Mayor Boughton's statements to the press, and the antics of the zombies who trust the wisdom of the deer in Headlights, to the infamous "skinhead" photograph that sparked outrage across the state, and will forever symbolize the arrogance and outright stupidity the current City Clerk as well as the true attitude of the anti-immigrant movement, we'll take you back in time and explain to you why this case has the potential of a major lawsuit, and call into question the credibility of the last honest man in Danbury.
But enough of the man who's hiding in his office at City Hall for now,this article in today's News-Times should be of interest to anyone who's planning to vote in this year's election.
The city's Registrars of Voters began a series of demonstrations Thursday on how to use the optical voting machines that will be in operation for the coming elections.
Margaret Gallo, the Democratic Registrar of Voters for the city, said voting officials wanted to hold the demonstrations to help people feel more comfortable with the new technology, which will be in use throughout the state in November.
[...]
"We want the election to run as smoothly as possible and this is a new procedure for the voters," Gallo said. "We want people to feel comfortable with the new system so they won't be afraid of it."
For the first time, all residents in Connecticut will be using the new optical scanning voting machines and there is a bit of a learning curve. With so many positions up for grabs in this year's municipal election, it's important that you learn how to use the new machines BEFORE election day.
The Secretary of State's office posted this video on YouTube on how to use the new machines...
A few weeks ago, Gallo made an appearance on Ivon Alcime's "Ideas at Work and Beyond" and talked about the new scanning machines and gave a demonstration on how to use the new technology. If you missed the show, you can always watch the video online at the Ideas at Work and Beyond website.
UPDATE: Whoops, it would help if I told you where the Register of Voters will hold their upcoming demonstrations:
• Sept 26 at 10 A.M.: Ives Manor Ballroom, 198 Main Street (google map). • Sept 27 at 10 A.M.: Glenn Apartments community room, Memorial Drive (google map). • Sept 27 at 2 P.M.: Crosby Manor community room, 84 W. Wooster St. • Sept 28 at 10 A.M.: Putnam Towers community room, 25 Beaver Street (google map). • Sept 28 at 2 P.M.: Wooster Manor community room, 36 W. Wooster St (google map). • Sept 30 at 10 A.M.: New Hope Baptist Church, 12 Dr. Aaron B. Samuels Blvd (google map). • Oct 12 at 10:30 A.M.: Danbury Senior Center, 10 Elmwood Place (google map).
Call tonight and hold Mayor Boughton accountable for misleading the public
Thursday, September 20, 2007 Time: 1:46 PM
Poor Mark
Our mayor is having a couple of tough weeks and it seems like his future doesn't look so good either since I'm getting bombarded with media requests.
Let's recap:
Last week, Mayor Boughton gave us his excuse (days after FOX-61 asked the question that didn't get a response) regarding the anthrax case and the fact that the public was not notified about the car being sold at Fair Hyundai (I'm going to follow-up on that story as soon).
This week, thanks to the work of those pesky Yale Law Students Boughton described as "a bunch of students that don't much to do with their time," we learned that the last honest man in Danbury MISLEAD the public when he stated to the media that the city of Danbury was not involved in the raid last September.
Since we can't rely on the reporters at the Danbury News-Times to get the real story since they don't have the guts to ask any critical questions to the mayor (you're doing a heck of a job Langois), it's up to the people to take matters into their own hands.
And today, you'll get a chance to do JUST THAT.
Mayor Boughton is planning to be on tonight's edition of "Ideas at Work and Beyond" at Comcast cable from 9:00-10:00 P.M. in an attempt to spin the laughable idea that he's a fan of City Center organization and actually contributed in making Danbury a music city.
Here's a rare chance to but this mayor on the spot and force him to answer these simple questions:
"Why did you mislead the public when you stated to the media that the city of Danbury was not involved in the raid last September?"
"Is it true that the booking report of the Danbury 11 lists a Danbury Police officer as the arresting officer?"
"Based on the brief to the court, is it true that a Danbury Police officer drove the van used to pick up the day-laborers?"
Call the show and demand hold Mayor Boughton accountable for his statements to the press in December.
Phone number: (203) 792-4101.
In case the mayor gets cold feet and demand that the show not be in a live-call format, don't sweat it, we're planing to ask the mayor the simple question in person tonight.
Come on down to Comcast around 8:30 and join me in the parking lot with some surprise guests who have a question or two to ask of the mayor as he arrives to the studio.
If you can't make it before the show, come on down anyway and ask the mayor the simple questions when as he leaves the studio after 10:00 P.M.
Boughton's spin doctors would like you to believe that this is about illegal immigration but don't be fooled. This is about a mayor who apparently:
• LIED to the public in statements to the press,
• probably allowed the police to get involved in a federal matter,
• probably got the city involved in a matter that quite possibly resulted in a violation the 14 amendment of the Constitution.
Don't let the mayor play "Politics over the People" and send him a CLEAR message that this isn't 2005. The public deserves an explanation and the mayor needs to be held accountable for his statements.
UPDATE: Stand down everyone, the last honest man in Danbury chickened and canceled his appearance on the show.
Just got an email from Ivon, who's not the happiest camper right now. It seems like I dropped a big fat bomb on the show and Mayor Boughton ran for the hills.
All joking aside, Mayor Boughton has to answer some serious questions that goes to the heart of his honesty and credibility.
Remember, according to news reports back in December, Mayor Boughton repeatedly stated that Danbury played no role in the Danbury 11 case. Now, ten months later, we learn that documents obtained by a FOI frequest by those "pesky" Yale Law Students, paint a different picture.
Also, according to Simon Moshenberg, we know know that a court brief by the Department of Homeland Security states that Danbury police were the ones driving the van that picked up the day-laborers.
These points are inconsistent with Mayor Boughton's statement to the press AND those pesky law students had to go to court to obtain some of the documents from Danbury.
Whether it's members of the public, the local media, or the cable networks, eventually Mayor Boughton will have to answer the following questions:
"Why did you mislead the public when you stated to the media that the city of Danbury was not involved in the raid last September?"
"Is it true that the booking report of the Danbury 11 lists a Danbury Police officer as the arresting officer?"
"Based on the brief to the court, is it true that a Danbury Police officer drove the van used to pick up the day-laborers?"
If you see the Mayor around door-knocking and pitching his talking points, email us and we'll alert the very interested parties who would like to ask the Mayor a few questions.
The public has a right to know if they were misled by the mayor.
HatCityBLOG EXCLUSIVE: Lawyer for the Danbury 11 exposes DANBURY'S INVOLVEMENT IN RAID
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 Time: 10:11 PM
Today, I conducted an in-depth interview with Simon Moshenberg of the Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization at the Yale Law School legal clinic. Moshenberg is one of the attorneys for the "Danbury 11" and has been actively involved in forcing the City of Danbury to hand over all information regarding an ICE raid in September of last year.
For those who don’t know, the Danbury 11 refers to the eleven day laborers who were picked up in a raid by Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents. According to news reports, back in September at Danbury’s Kennedy Park, ICE agents posing as contractors pulled up in a truck and stated they would pay 11 dollars an hour to men who would help take down a fence. Eleven day laborers took up the offer, entered in the truck, and were taken to another location where they were arrested.
In response to the raid, a FOI was filed against the Department of Homeland Security and the City of Danbury in an attempt to seek information and determine what role the city had in the raid.
In several interviews to the press, Mayor Boughton has repeatedly stated that the City played NO ROLE in the raids.
Statements from Mayor Boughton regarding city's role in raid, December 2006:
Channel 8: Boughton said the city played no part in the September 19th action...
Channel 30: He [Boughton] said the city was not involved in the planing of the raid...
Once Moshenberg and the Yale law students obtained all the requested material from the city from their FOI complaint, new details surrounding the city's involvement in the raid emerged, which ultimately calls into question the claims the mayor.
With the new revelations made public at the Danbury 11 court hearing last week, I caught up with Moshenberg to learn more about the details that emerged from the FOI request, find out what role the city of Danbury played in the raid, and ultimately find out if the mayor was being dishonest to the public in statements he made to the press about Danbury's role in the raid.
Interview highlights (full interview will be posted soon):
1.: Information obtained from the FOI request shows Danbury police officer as the arresting officer on booking report.
2. According to Moshenberg, in brief to the court, the Department of Homeland Security states that DANBURY POLICE OFFICERS were the ones disguised as contractors and driving the van used to pick up the day laborers. This is contrary to statements Boughton made to the press in December According to Moshenberg, the city of Danbury has not issued an official response in any legal proceedings regarding DHS's statement.
UPDATE: If you're with the media and are taking quotes from my interview with Simon, please make sure to cite this blog in your report.
As I stated in several emails, I understand the seriousness of this story and will have more of the interview posted as quickly as possible. Thank you.
UPDATE 2: I receiving inquires from the media on this on-going story. If you're a member of the media and having trouble locating the email address for this site, you can email me at hatcityblog@yahoo.com. During the next template update, I'll make it easier to locate my email address.
EXCLUSIVE FLASHBACK: Hat City Blog interview with lawyers of the Danbury 11
Monday, September 17, 2007 Time: 10:27 PM
Again, trust me, there's a REALLY BIG reason I'm rolling out this flashback footage on the Danbury 11 case.
Someone has some explaining to do...so much for those Yale kids who, which Mayor Boughton arrogantly claimed "don't have much to do with their time."
D-E-V-E-L-O-P-I-N-G!!!!!!!!
Originally posted Dec. 2006.
As you all know, I attended the press conference held by lawyers representing the Danbury 11 yesterday. Since the Department of Homeland Security failed adhere to a FOI request to hand over communications between Mayor Boughton, Congresswoman Nancy Johnson and DHS regarding events which resulted in the Danbury 11 sweep earlier this year, the lawyers representing the day laborers who were picked up by ICE filed suit against DHS demanding that the information be released.
In order to file a suit, one needs to have all the facts and this is where we are with this situation. Once the information is released by DHS, the lawyers representing the Danbury 11 will determine if there is any merit to a suit to be filed against the city and DHS. This suit is the first step in that possible direction.
Yesterday was an interesting day as media throughout the state as well as the New York Times descended on Danbury once again and placing this issue of illegal immigration and Danbury back into the spotlight. Between the press conference and statements from Mayor Boughton to the media (including his comment to NBC30 that I bet he wish he could take back), I have the feeling that not only is this case for from over, but the bad blood between the two camps will escalate as we approach 2007.
I'll update this post with the actual press release from the lawyers later. Unfortunately, I was unable to make the presser (I was told it was at another location). The video starts with the end of the presser and goes into my interview with the lawyers.
Trust me, there's a REALLY BIG reason I'm rolling out this flashback footage on the Danbury 11 case.
Someone has some explaining to do...so much for those Yale kids who, which Mayor Boughton arrogantly claimed "don't have much to do with their time."
D-E-V-E-L-O-P-I-N-G!!!!!!!!
Originally posted Dec 2006
Okay, I didn't scoop the media by breaking the story first...it was a long day. WTNH just did their report on the lawsuit presser from today on their 5:30 broadcast and Channel 30 just filed their report at 6.
I'm not going to go into great detail behind the complaint as I want to wait until I get my video processed before going to great detail. The real story wasn't the presser, but rather the stunning arrogance of Mayor Boughton in his interviews with the media today.
In his interview on Channel 8, Boughton made me laugh so hard, I had to catch by breath as my favorite mayor talked about how please he was with illegal-immigration buddy, Massachusetts governor and pathetic hypocrite Mitt Romney's illegal immigration political stunt that I talked about yesterday.
Simply amazing.
Instead of being honest and acknowledging that Romney's so-called crackdown on illegal immigrants is nothing more than an obvious political stunt (Romney only has a couple of weeks left in office and the incoming governor has already stated that Romney's proposal won't see the light of day), Boughton pulls a slight of hand for the camera, flashes a smile, and offers admiration for his fellow Massachusetts Republican, who talks tough about illegal immigration while hiring illegal immigrants to work on his yard. (NOTE: No! Boughton didn't hire illegals to do his yard, Romney did. A link has been inserted and the word "Massachusetts" is now placed before the word "Republican" in the previous sentence to clear things up).
This is nonsense...complete utter nonsense.
If you think that's ridiculous, catch Boughton's arrogant (if not outright shameless) interview on Channel 30. In this interview, the real Boughton comes out as he lets his feelings known about the individuals who are launching the FOI complaint.
In typical Boughton fashion, the mayor ridicules the Yale law students who filed the complaint. Lets not talk about how those students filed a FOI against Homeland Security requesting the communications between Boughton and Department Homeland Security (DHS) when he requested help in rounding up the immigrants and how DHS refuse to comply with the FOI request by releasing the information within the 30 day period which prompted this action by the students. This case is against the DHS for not releasing public information, not a case against the city. You can't consider filing a lawsuit if you don't have all the facts and if someone is refusing to provide the facts, you go to court...it happens all the time in FOI cases (trust me, I've been involved in a few of these things).
Instead of talking about the merit of the case, Boughton just dismisses the law students as a bunch of kids who "don't have much to do with their time." It's an unnecessary and below the belt personal attack from a mayor plain and simple.
Class act.
Later tonight, I'll post my interview from the press conference as well as my interview with the so-called law students with too much free time on their hands. I also have a copy of the press release and the actual complaint that was filed and I'm working on converting it to .pdf as well as Microsoft Word format. After you see the interview and presser, you'll see the actual common sense behind this FOI complaint.
UPDATE: Grr, just missed the report on Channel 61 by a a few seconds. I'll catch the re-broadcast and post it tomorrow morning.
Ned Lamont to support Helena Abrantes; fundraiser planned for Wednesday
Time: 11:33 AM
This week, Helena Abrantes' team is pleased to announced a major fund raiser for her campaign to be held on Wednesday Sept 19th at Hatter's Park.
Lending his hand in support for Abrantes campaign to defeat Mark Boughton and scheduled to stump for Abrantes at the fundraiser is no other than a person who knows a thing or two about challenging an incumbent elected-official, Democrat Ned Lamont.
So many of you helped change the direction of our country last year by dedicating your time and effort to our campaign. Now it's time to get together once again, this time to help change the direction of Danbury.
This Wednesday evening, I will be in Danbury for a fundraiser for Helena Abrantes' campaign for mayor, and I hope you can join me there:
Wed, Sept. 19, 2007, 6pm to 8pm Hatter's Park 7 East Hayestown Rd. Danbury, Connecticut
I'm so happy to be supporting Helena, and to see so many great candidates who were involved in our campaign now running for local office - like Ken Gucker, a valued super-volunteer for us last year who is running for Common Council in the 2nd ward.
With a Republican mayor and a Republican council, Democrats in Danbury are facing an uphill battle. But that didn't stop our campaign last year, and it's not going to stop Democrats in Danbury this year.
I hope you will join Helena and me in Danbury on Wednesday night. Please RSVP to (203) 746-4023.
Anyone who longs for a change in leadership and direction in the way things are done in Danbury are strongly encouraged to come to the fundraiser, meet and talk to Abrantes about local issues of concern as well as hear from Lamont. If you believe that "Danbury Can Do Better," then come down Wednesday and throw your support to Abrantes and help make a difference with a donation to her cause.
As many of you know, I had the pleasure to follow Ned Lamont's campaign from it's beginnings back in early 2006 and his primary victory in August, to his defeat in November and public appearances in support for Senator Chris Dodd, 4th Congressional candidate Jim Himes, anti-war organizations, and events that support the general principle of the Democratic Party.
Throughout his senatorial campaign, Lamont made several appearances to the Danbury area and held his last rally in Connecticut at the Portuguese Center last November. As a preview of Wednesday's fund raiser, from Lamont's the last rally in Danbury, here's my report from November. Originally post Nov, 2006
I tell you, no matter what happens tomorrow, I'll never forget the amazing time I had following Ned Lamont's campaign.
Whether it's the first time I met Lamont at the New Haven library in January, or watching his first speeches at DTC meetings, I knew back then that I was witnessing history happen right before my very eyes. With each passing day, more people joined the Lamont bandwagon and changed what was once a barely noticed campaign into a national phenomenon.
Now, with Election Day near, Lamont ends his campaign in my neck of the woods and I couldn't be happier.
Well over 200 people came out in the middle of the afternoon to show their support for Lamont and it was a fitting way to end to an amazing campaign.
Without further delay, here's my video on Ned Lamont's final rally.
It seems like the change in weather has taken it's tool on me. I have a real nasty cold that's driving me nuts so posting will be light for a while. It's unfortunate that I'm sick because I really need to catch up on my posts before they become outdated but when I get sick, I really get sick.
If there is any type of a silver lining in my present condition, the little break will give me some more time to research material using Lexis-Nexis (the best database EVER) and provide more detailed posts later on down the road (e.g., anthrax damage control). It will also give me the much needed time to allow my computer to process more video footage, which is always a good thing based on the time it takes to produce a video clip.
I swear, nothing is worse than the change in season from summer to fall. During the day, it could be 70 degrees and at night it could drop to 40...
04.25.22 (RADIO): WSHU Latino group call on Connecticut lawmakers to open a Danbury charter school
06.03.22 (OP-ED): KUSHNER: "Career Academy ‘a great deal for Danbury"
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.