By noticias.nacional@coxinet.net

More than a dozen Hispanic community leaders in Oklahoma City have decided to challenge the English-Only proposal.

It is a controversial and complicated issue that, in addition to the immigration problems, causes social tension in the state. “We don’t need a malevolent legislature that changes the image of our city or our state, converting it in a place of regressive intolerance.” said Jim Langdon, president of the Hispanic group, Justice and Community Center of Oklahoma.

“We should have a sign in the city limits saying “Not-Welcome." On the other hand the “Welcome to Oklahoma” sign will need a small sign saying welcome only if you are like we are," Langdon added.

The proposal, co-endorsed by the Republican representative from Moore, Oklahoma, Randy Terrill, is part of an amendment to Bill 1804, and will soon capture great attention in the House of Representatives.

“Opposite to the ill-intended HB 1804, this English message, will be directed to the citizens only, not to the illegal aliens, but to the citizens that are not fluent in English," says Pam Maisano public director of the organization Conference of Churches from Oklahoma.

“We definitely shouldn’t make life more difficult than what it already is for our Hispanic citizens," concluded Maisano. At least we know that in one way or another, Hispanics are in the mouth of the state politicians and in the minds of the candidates to the United States presidency.

(Translation by Rosario Guerra)