By Juan Miret
Hispano de Tulsa

Tulsa, OK.- With the death of the son of 1804 bill, the Hispanic community expected a break, however, Republican legislator Randy Terrill, gained more strength and presented a new project: a law to declare English as the only language.

Similar actions failed in the past, especially when the Supreme Court of Oklahoma sent a strong NO to the English-only initiative in 2002 because it was violating the State Constitution.

Terrill, advised by Jim Inhofe, Republican senator, and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, didn’t give up after the failure of his immigration amendment project. He looked for a state law that would let him make an amendment to bring a new discriminatory project to the legislature.

This radical legislation does not talk about English as the official language but as the only language, and this is totally different.

Like a fresh breeze in the middle of a wave of hate and discrimination, the Bishop sent a message of hope to all of the community: “The doors of the church are open for everyone, I will not stop fighting for you. You will always be in my heart and remember that justice always prevails.”

Bishop Slattery combats injustice

By Juan Miret
Hispano de Tulsa

Tulsa, OK — “1804 is not only inhumane and immoral but from a legal point of view it is against the Constitution,” said the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, Edward Slattery, in an exclusive conversation with Hispano de Tulsa.

With 42 years dedicated to priestly life and 14 as Bishop, Monsignor Slattery has tirelessly fought for civil and human rights, without making a distinction for religion, race, language and much less, migratory status.

The leader of the Catholic community of Tulsa declared that “the rigidity of 1804” makes it impossible for agencies that help the community to practice and minister like Catholic Charities, and this is not acceptable. No one can pretend that everything is fine and we do nothing, there has to be action, we should look for the light,” said the Bishop with profound emotion.

The bill, submitted and accepted by Judge Jefferson D. Sellers, who is studying the 36-page lawsuit against 1804, is however fair in its final conclusion where it reveals the atrocities of the new state law.

In this way, with only 16 lines, it describes the drama and the violation of fundamental human rights of those who need help and of those who offer it.