CNN’s Special on Latinos Stirs Protests Against Anchor

By Brian Stelter

CNN’s broadcast of a four-hour documentary about Latinos this week turned into a political rallying cry for activist groups that are calling on the cable news channel to fire Lou Dobbs, a veteran anchor with anti-immigration views.

An array of minority groups held small protests in New York and other cities on Wednesday, the first night of the “Latino in America” presentation. They are trying to highlight what they say are years of lies about immigration by Mr. Dobbs, who anchors the 7 p.m. hour on CNN.

CNN, a unit of Time Warner, has not commented on the protests, or covered them on its news programs. One of the activists featured in the documentary said on Wednesday she tried to bring up what she called Mr. Dobbs’s “hatred” on one of the channel’s news programs, but that her remarks were cut from the interview.

Isabel Garcia, a civil rights lawyer who was featured in the documentary and organized a protest against Mr. Dobbs in Tucson on Wednesday, said that she felt censored by CNN after the channel edited her comments about the anchor out of an interview.

She had anticipated a 15-minute conversation about immigration opposite the Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona, a staunch believer in immigration enforcement, on the prime-time program “Anderson Cooper 360.”

During the taped interview on Wednesday, she said that she made several unprompted comments about Mr. Dobbs.

She said she called Mr. Arpaio and Mr. Dobbs “the two most dangerous men to our communities,” and added that “because of them, our communities are being terrorized in a real way.” She also asserted that CNN was “promoting lies and hate about our community” by broadcasting Mr. Dobbs’s program. The comments were not included when the interview was broadcast.

A CNN spokeswoman said: “The segment was tied to CNN’s documentary ’Latino in America,’ which is a far-reaching look at the successes and challenges Latinos are facing — including illegal immigration. As with all pretaped interviews, they are edited for time and relevance to the topic of discussion. The debate between Isabel Garcia and Joe Arpaio was no exception.”

Comments are no longer being accepted.

Rafael Prieto October 22, 2009 · 7:46 pm

I am surprised that is no mention in the article about the 70,000 signatures collected by the campaign Basta Dobbs!, the rejection by CNN to broadcast an ad critical of Dobbs and the inaccuracies of the so called Mr. Independent.

ed October 22, 2009 · 8:22 pm

Lou Dobbs has well-known anit-ILLEGAL Immigrant views. Comon guys, get it right. You’re smarter than that. To pretend like Dobbs is anti-IMMIGRANT, which is much different, is simply lying. Stop it.

Becca Socorro October 22, 2009 · 10:09 pm

I believe CNN was censoring comments about the special on their “Community Blog” on its website. I wrote three comment about how they profiled two pregnant teenagers, but never profiled any teens who have made good choices.

If you read the CNN Community blog you won’t find hardly anything negative. What’s up with that?

Becca

Hobojoe October 22, 2009 · 11:34 pm

Why are you anti-immigration if you think anyone who entered this country illegally should be deported? Immigrate here legally, as millions of others have(including my parents) and there shouldn’t be any problems….wake up people

4568 October 23, 2009 · 1:10 am

Unfortunately, hate is money in America, even though it far from ought to be. But blowhards like Lou Dobbs, or repressive arms of bigots like Arpaio don’t belong in 2009’s America. Lou can stick with his complaints about lax safety measures here and there, but leave the poor and vulnerable alone. He’s tied them as a whole with ugly things like leprosy and crime . All the while dismissing serious folks who’re just not populists as ‘idiots’ on the show. He’s also a friend of ultra bigots. But both him and Arpaio are too full of themselves to ever listen to others than their own supporters.

Notta October 23, 2009 · 1:45 am

What is so terrorist about upholding the law? I’m fed up with this nonsense twisted acceptance of breaking the law as an illegal immigrant. .

Dr Carmen V Rodriguez October 23, 2009 · 4:41 am

Dr. Carmen V. Rodriguez

Att: Soledad O’Brien, CEO Walter Isaacson and Jim Walton
CNN News, Marietta, GA 30303

CNN’s two day LATINO IN AMERICA program by Soledad O’ Brien paints a very limited picture of the Hispanic community. Focussing accurately on American preoccupation with illegal migration, it shows what American prejudice has done to a Mexican people whose culture and civility makes us look the dumb Americans we have become. The hate depicted is accurate and based on an educational system that is failing the entire nation. Soledad show us unhappy teenagers who become pregnant at an early age limiting their opportunity for future success. No mention was made of abortion as a viable option. Was this the bias of the family or the network?

Latino in America tells of us a Puerto Rican who does not speak English and wants to be a police officer. His limitations are evident. He has no business becoming an officer. Soledad did not show us the vast number of capable Puerto Ricans who are successfully employed. Among them the President of one of our best public stations-WMFE) We recently heard a Situation Room commentator mention Puerto Ricans as “immigrants” totally ignoring the FACT that. like Hawaii & Alaska Puerto Rico is s part of the United States!!! More American ignorance!

I grew up in Spanish Harlem before the decline of American education. I went to New York City’s then excellent public schools and colleges. My parents and their neighbors ran successful business. My mother came to this country at 18. She started out as a governess but went on to open three successful restaurants. She was the first woman in New York City to get a wine and beer license. Her daughter has a doctoral from Columbia University and her grandsons went to Harvard and Tufts. She also insisted we speak only Spanish at home!. Consequently we are bilingual. Most Americans these days do not even speak English. More foreign students than Americans are going to our major universities. Again the fault of our educational system. In MIami the Cuban influence compelled subject matter be taught for ten weeks in Spanish and ten weeks in English making children bilingual by the third grade! English only? What a CACA idea! Her neighbors in Spanish Harlem were successful photographers, bakers and the owner of the local liquorstore owned NYC real estate big time.

“In the Heights” writer -actor Lin Manuel Miranda has become the Bob Fosse of our day. He is being called upon to help other Broadway shows achieve the success of” In the Heights”. Solefad should have taken a trip to Washington Height and seen a real melange of Latin America along with the impressive Hispanic Society of America Museum and Library. Goya’s Duchess of Alba would have been there to greet her along with other treasures of Spain reflected in the LATINO culture!

Latino in America was an over advertised, limited point of view. While it pointed out critical present day issues, it totally missed being LATINO IN AMERICA!

Sincerely,

Carmen V, Rodriguez, Ed.D.

Dr. Gene Nelson October 23, 2009 · 10:29 am

There is a world of difference between being “Anti-Immigrant” and being “Anti Illegal Immigration” which is the stance of many immigration restrictionists, including Lou Dobbs, who is married to a Mexican woman.

A particularly relevant new book on the topic is Mark Krikorian’s The New Case Against Immigration.

The big problem is the NUMBERS of illegal immigrants, who include millions and millions of visa overstayers. The U.S. has the world’s most generous legal immigration policy. The U.S. admits annually more legal immigrants than the next five nations combined.

The economic elite tend to be the beneficiaries of high levels of immigration as workforce gluts drive down wages in a broad spectrum of careers, (including Ph.D. scientists and engineers.) Workforce gluts facilitate illegal employment discrimination on the basis of age, gender, disability, and minority status. Population gluts also drive up the costs of the necessaries of life. Overpopulation’s benefits are mostly privatized while its costs are socialized.

Liberal writer James Fallows wrote a prescient analysis of what is likely to occur in his July 2005 Atlantic Monthly article, “Countdown to a Meltdown.” The article may be located by doing a google search on the title. His forecast: foreclosure riots starting in Michigan. Parts of Michigan are now facing 20% unemployment rates. The last time this trauma occurred was during the Great Depression. There were bloody, lethal riots. The result: Forced repatriation of a large number of non-citizens to create workforce opportunities for citizens. Learn more by googling both phrases “forced repatriation” and “Great Depression.” There were 6,180 links on 23 Oct 09.

Gene A. Nelson, Ph.D. Arlington, VA

Gabriel Appleton October 23, 2009 · 10:47 am

I can understand that the network did not paint the whole picture about being “Latino in America” but why is there so much Anti- American sentiment from its Latino residents? Why is it wrong to enforce our immagration laws? Would Latinos be in favor of illeagal immigration from countries not in the spanish speaking world, I don’t think so. The only injustice here is that Latino illegal immigrants do not have to play by the same rules as everyone else.

Heather October 23, 2009 · 12:02 pm

It is really interesting how just having a different opinion on policy makes someone “a hater”.

What is even more odd is liberal spin. A perfect example is the evil Patriot Act; the embodiment of Bush evil. But this is now the same Patriot Act that Obama wants congress to renew.

So suddenly liberals think the Patriot Act is just fine! Of course this is not all, we also have the 2001 law that Bush used to detain some Gitmo prisoners indefinetly. Obama now says this Bush law is enough to continue to hold some Gitmo prisoners indefinetly.

So this is another Bush law, that was so evil when Bush used it, but becomes exceptable when Obama uses it.

And do not get me started on the suddenly silent anti-war protesters. Seems they were more Bush protesters then war protesters. Obama still drops bombs, people still die, but the war protesters are silent.

I am sure it is a confort to the dead, that they are now being killed by a Democrat.

Lou October 23, 2009 · 1:59 pm

Typical points of view espoused to the exclusion of sanity…. So Lou Dobbs is bad and must be removed because he wants to uphold the law? If CNN removes Lou Dobbs because he sets forth the opinion backed up with evidence that illegal immigration is wrong, then CNN has lost all the credibility with which Ted Turner founded it. If CNN wants to remove anyone, how about Soledad O’Brien and Rick Sanchez who show their bias toward lawbreakers with just about every breath they take? Let sanity prevail and long live Lou Dobbs on CNN. Louise

LLOnline October 23, 2009 · 4:08 pm

My advise to CNN is that they need to drop hatemonger, Lou Dobbs immediately, or else risk losing the young fastest growing demographic in the nation.

From word of mouth and viral networking, Lou Dobbs is a Persona Non Grata in the Latino community. Poll it and find out for yourself if you think I’m lying.

Is either Lou Dobb or CNN? What’s it going to be??

Mary October 23, 2009 · 6:53 pm

Guys there are many immigrants in this country, many types of them. The thing is that due to different complicated issues and time lags, sometimes it is impossible for one to immigrate to the USA the so called normal way.
A friend of mine, a decent guy, Russian, used to live in Kazakhstan. He expired his visa, but loved this country so much, that he had no choice but to live here.
You can ask: Why on Earth hadn’t he extended his visa or just returned back and applied again? The answer is that he didn’t have the money necessary to apply to a school (to get Students’ visa), and leaving back wasn’t option for him either.
Applying for a refugee here was hard for him since situation with Russians in Kazakhstan is not as clear as one might think. All he wanted is to live here and make his life better. Since then he lives here, pays taxes (even though he doesn’t have to), takes classes, working on a better future. Technically he is an “Illegal immigrant”, and his life would be much more miserable if he would be forced to return.
He is just one of many decent people, weather they are Chinese, Mexican or whoever. Why not to give them a chance? Real criminals, should be sent back, I agree, but people who just simply want better future should be given a chance, IMHO.

majori October 23, 2009 · 8:01 pm

I was born in Mexico – therefore, Mexico is my mother and the United States is my father. I was brought to Texas (undocumented) when I was two, then taken back to Mexico when I was five and it took five years (and that was in 1953) it took 5 years for my family to be granted a permanent resident immigration card – 5 years in 1953. I can only imagine how long it would take 56 years later for a Mexican to come in legally.
I am sure you’ve heard that “we are all immigrants” and that is true. My father first came to the U.S. in 1912 (before most of us were even born), and they only had to sign when crossing the border – no other legal process was required. Laws and rules change, BUT THEY SHOULD CHANGE FOR EVERY COUNTRY’S IMMIGRANTS. If you are immigrating from other than Latin America, it takes a whole lot less time to be granted legal status, BUT IF YOU ARE FROM MEXICO OR LATIN AMERICA, ITS A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY. Although half this country belonged to Mexico, Mexicans are being discriminated.
How would you feel if the U.S. President personally sold half of the U.S. to China? The land that the U.S. acquired “bought” from the Mexican “president” (crook) did not belong to him, it belonged to its people AND THE “BUYERS” KNEW IT. So, if the buyers did not have the scruples or morals to do the right thing, why should the Mexicans respect the immigration laws of this place that was practically stolen from them? If a child comes to your door and sells you his dad’s Rolex for $5 would you be the legal owner? And if the father of the child would ask you, if at least to tell him the time every time he sees you, would it be unfair to at least let him know what time it is? Having a few “undocumented” workers compared to the entire population is not going to drive its citizens hungry. These people are – NOT ILLEGALS, they are UNDOCUMENTED who come, just like your ancestors, in search of a better life and what’s more, to work in jobs others mostly will not perform, is not only fair, but OWED TO them at least that much-or should I say, that little. What have Europeans given to the U.S. ? Yet, they are much more welcomed than we are. Search in your conscience and if you really have one, you’ll see the truth.
We should be protesting about our better jobs being outsourced to other countries, jobs that a lot of our U.S. residents would love to have – yet, we are permitting those jobs to be taken to China, India, etc. etc. Those people are not paying any kind of taxes or contributing to the U.S. economy by buying groceries, paying rent, bus fares, buying cars, homes, paying for gas, or contributing in Social Security. Yet, the undocumented are workers consuming and paying taxes are paying taxes as they atr working and living here . Did you know that the U.S. not only gave legal visas to people from Viet Nam, but also gave them money when they came to the U.S.? Also, there are a lot of “ILLEGAL” French, Germans, Chinese, etc., etc. and do they get a bad wrap? NOW, Is THAT JUSTICE? Are they hunted down like animals the way the Latinos are? Why don’t we build a wall in the U.S. Canada border? COME ON, YOU WAKE UP!
Regarding Latinos in America program, WHY DON’T THEY SHOW THE POSITIVE SIDE OF THE LATINO PEOPLE. HOW MANY HOLD GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION POSITIONS? HOW MANY ARE DOCTORS, ATTORNEYS, ARCHITECTS, SUCCESSFUL COMPANY OWNERS, HOW MANY HOLD IMPORTANT JOBS.
My parents had 8 children, I’m the youngest. All my family own their own homes and 7 of us have rental houses and apartment units in upper middle class neighborhoods, we are all outstanding citizens. In my husband’s side there are 6 siblings and they also have their homes payed for, are well traveled and their children also hold good jobs and most are upper middle class, good Christian citizens as well. Why do they show the negative side of our community and not the better side equally as well?
I am a grateful not a “proud” Mexican. I am a Mexican who is very grateful to both my “mother” and my “father” countries, who’s only pride is to be my Creators daughter – just like you are, but I am not a blind daughter. I am glad to have the family values, moral and religious upbringing, that I inherited from my Mexico/mother. However I am equally grateful not “proud” to have the opportunity lo live in this a better country with all its good and bad – yet much better government than Mexico”s government.

If hear someone say something negative about my Mexico/”mother”, it hurts and I defend her. By the same token, when I go to Mexico and I hear someone say something negative about my U.S./”father it hurts equally and I defend it with all my strength and passion…. Can’t we all just get along? If there is a person who directly does you wrong, DEFEND YOURSELF…. BUT IF NO ONE IS DIRECTLY INFLICTING YOU SUFFERING – PLEASE, JUST BE AND LET BE. LET GO AND LET GOD! That is the just way, I expect everyone’s respect as I respect everyone – that is the only way to find peace. SHALOM!

Dana Garcia October 23, 2009 · 8:02 pm

If Lou Dobbs is a hatemonger, then he is not alone, since his views are shared by the majority of Americans across the political spectrum who want immigration to be returned to a lawful process.

Taxpayers are sick of the costs they bear for “free” healthcare, in-state tuition subsidies and other freebies for illegal aliens that are not available for all citizens. Here in California we are forced to pay many billions of dollars in social benefits yearly to maintain “cheap” labor for business. In return we get more crime, crowded highways and classrooms where one child in four is an English learner.

Dobbs runs into trouble because his reporting is calm and factual, something the radical Raza types cannot stand. The liberal media doesn’t like to tell the truth about the costs of open borders — I suspect that many editors have cheap Mexican gardeners and housekeepers, thereby benefiting directly from lawlessness.

RUY ALMEIDA October 23, 2009 · 9:58 pm

Local Latinos are fighting back, asking members and allies of the Latino community to join a national petition asking CNN to drop commentator Lou Dobbs and his brand of anti-immigrant hate.

E Jones October 24, 2009 · 2:50 am

Lou Dobbs stopped being a credible journalist years ago. He falsely accuses Latino immigrants of spreading leprosy and of plotting to take over America, and unfortunately CNN broadcasts this garbage and has the nerve to call itself the most trusted name in news. Do people with brains even have any choices for news anymore? BBC America is our last hope.

Pablo Picasso October 24, 2009 · 3:36 am

Justice is better than Racism(White Supremacy).

Ceasar C. October 24, 2009 · 12:11 pm

CNN DID HER A FAVOR by not airing her most radical nonsense. In fact, CNN SHOULD have showed how radical and ignorant this little anarchist is.

Furthermore, WHEN is CNN going to produce a “White in America” documentary? We’ve had to sit through at least 2 “Black in America” productions, now a “Latino in America” production…. so what about whitey?

Fascists who want to silent speech seek to do so because they have no counterarguments. The best argument always wins the day. But because the open-border crowd is radically wrong on immigration policy, they are attempting to change the debate through power. That is it. Censorship is a losing game for all of us.

APACHERAT October 24, 2009 · 12:37 pm

I’ve been watching Lou Dobbs on CNN for years and never once have I heard Dobbs make a anti immigrant comment, not once.
Dobbs wants our borders secured. Once the borders are secured, it seems Dobbs will suport some form of legalization for those who broke our country’s immigration laws.
Lou Dobbs like most Americans support legal immigration but do not support criminal illegal immigration.

And Brian Stelter, the author of the above story is like most open borders, pro amnesty types who believe criminal behavior should be rewarded. They can never separate legal immigration from illegal immigration.

Kathleen October 24, 2009 · 1:44 pm

The “Latinos in America” was nothing more than a crumb thrown by CNN to appease the anti-American groups, such as LaRaza, re their ridiculous demands that an American network fire and American citizen for speaking out about illegal aliens. This may work in a country headed by Chavez; it does not and will never work in America.
I strongly suspect that Lou Dobbs will be leaving CNN of his own accord within a very short period of time in order to pursue more lofty goals. Any one want to make a bet that LaRaza, MALDEF, MECha, and the rest of the radical groups will lay claim to forcing Dobbs to leave?

CNN needs Dobbs more than Dobbs needs CNN and CNN will very quickly learn that throwing even a crumb (Latino series) to radical groups will cost the network far more than it would had they stood up to these thugs and refused to participate in their 3rd world country tactics.

Eddie Brown October 24, 2009 · 2:37 pm

Mexicans And Central Americans do not gain legal entry into the United States as easily as they wish for a very obvious reason…They are poor Nations, And two thirds of their population would come if they could. That means Mexico, With a population of eighty million has sixty million poor uneducated Citizens that want and would immigrate to the U.S. to work. And thats not adding the poor Citizens from Nations in Central America that would also be scrambling to come aswell. Helllllllooooooooooo!!!!
Theres Your reason Majori.

Sally M. October 25, 2009 · 10:34 am

Why don’t the illegal immigrants from Mexico, stand up to their own government instead of attacking ours. They have a government that won’t allow illegals immigration, so why is it that they think America should? Lou Dobbs should be cannned for his boring show anyway!!

Myrna U. October 25, 2009 · 1:18 pm

Wonder what our arguments would be if the French had won the war against the Mexicans, the British against the new americans here declaring their freedom, or the Spanish (Spaniards) against the Americans… would poverty and lack of formal education still be at the core of those presently seeking hope in another’s land in greater numbers than those with the means to make it at home? – my fraction of a penny’s worth in the 21st Century. Myrna

houstonhispanic October 25, 2009 · 4:19 pm

Mr. Dobbs has as much of a right as Ms. Garcia to express his opinions. This is what makes this country go around and free, two complete opposites shouting it out without anyone coming in the middle of the night to silence them. I for one would look forward to watching a special report on “Anglo” or “Asian” Americans and just let the Latino community that is in this country legally be. The Latino community has bigger problems to deal with such as how to keep young people in the path of higher education, improving the diet and lifestyle in order to combat diabetes and obesity and how to keep family values intact.

As for the illegal immigration issue, I am against providing amnesty to 13 million people. Amnesty would be equivalent to an open invitation to the poor of Mexico, Central America and South America. However, I am for a reform that will allow unskilled workers to work in the United States ( since there seems to be a demand for them, or else illegals would not be here).