If you’ve ever visited the the Santa Ana Public Library in the Civic Center you probably have noticed a statue of a man holding a dove in front of the main entrance and asked yourself “who is he”? Is it a statue honoring one of Santa Ana’s or Orange County’s forefathers? Is it a statue honoring a historical figure from literature? An author perhaps? No this statue is none of these.
The nine-foot bronze statue that was erected in 1994 honors Alex Odeh, the west-coast regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, who was murdered October 11, 1985 in a terrorist attack right here in Santa Ana at 1905 E. 17th Street. Odeh was killed when a bomb triggered as he put the key into his office door exploded. The FBI classified the bombing as a terrorist attack and believed that Jewish militants from the Jewish Defense League (JDL) were probably responsible for the murder.
Odeh, who on the day of his murder had been scheduled to speak at Friday prayer services at a synagogue in Fountain Valley, was believed targeted because of his support for the Palestinian people and for what some claimed were anti-semetic statements. Odeh, shortly before his murder, had appeared on Nightline with Ted Koppel and debated with a member of the JDL. He was killed by cowardly terrorists simply because of something he said.
The late Irv Rubin (pictured above) who was a leader of the JDL sated, “I have no tears for Mr. Odeh. He got exactly what he deserved.” Rubin also gleefully exclaimed after the statue was twice vandalized, “I think the guy is a war criminal.”
Let me remind everyone that if we forget history, we are bound to repeat it. This brings me back to the here and now in Santa Ana. We are all now aware of the unfortunate choice of words by Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez in regards to the PBID debate and Irv and Ryan Chase. It is never wise to invoke the name of Adolf Hitler into any debate. While comments and actions by the Chase’s appear to demonstrate an anti-Latino/immigrant bias, bringing Hitler’s name into the debate is wrong.
Some bloggers, local media types and others in Santa Ana have seized upon this and whipped up an angry frenzy. One of our regular readers/commenters, “Cook”, has even used the term “lynch mob” to describe those atacking Alvarez. The screams of “anti-semitism” are being used to create a toxic atmosphere of hate with Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez as their target. This is quite scary and can have dire consequences.
Those fanning the flames of hate against Alvarez don’t know exactly who is listening, nor do they care. All they are concerned with is their agenda and their opposition to Alvarez and her allies. All of this hysteria can very well awaken the demons inside of some extremist and the next thing you know we have what happened to Alex Odeh all over again.
Just as Mayor Pro Tem Alvarez’s words spoke in anger and frustration were irresponsible, so too are the words being written and spoken by those attacking Alvarez. Alvarez has apologized for her words, when will the Chase’s apologize for their words and actions? Once they do perhaps we can put this whole unfortunate incident behind us.
We must stop throwing gasoline on the fire and fanning the flames of hate. God save any other family from suffering the same despair that the Odeh family has had to deal with for the past 25 years.
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What about Mexicans that are convinced that they are Jews like Gustavo? (for Fiala only)
I do not follow Gustavo for about 2 years and do not read what he is convinced about, but prior to that he was convinced that he was philanthropist for Mexicans -- in other words Mexican National Socialist (Nazi).
Point is that use of stigmatization to achieve your political objectives and to silence criticism bypassing the 1st Amendment is double edge sword because you must form a coalition with other race Nazis and when one turns against you, you fall on the edge.
This is happened to Claudia Alvarez.
It will happen to Gustavo to if he will do same.
Native,
Don't be so silly, the so-called "liberal" bloggers won't be discussing the issues they are too concerned with attacking Claudia.
Besides I doubt they would side with the Latino business owners and community anyway.
They defended the honoring of Lupe Moreno and the Minutmen at the council meeting last July, why would you think they would support Latino's and immigrants now?
Quite typical of folks like this. Remember how all those "liberals" in Boston reacted when blacks were bussed into their neighborhood schools. They supported integration, just not in their neighborhoods.
Dan and Chris are cut from the same cloth.
Claudia Alvarez is a dangerous person. If this is true, Art, that her comment ultimately results in Jewish terrorism, she has taken Santa Ana to a new low.
Statement from Frank Barbaro, Chairman, Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC)
The Democratic Party of Orange County does not condone the recent comments made by Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez. Her remarks were inappropriate, offensive and hurtful.
We strongly agree with the Anti-Defamation League’s position that no matter how strong one’s objections to any government policy, invoking the Holocaust and the Nazi effort to exterminate the Jewish people is grossly offensive and has no place in civil political discourse.
Using the Holocaust as an analogy for the frustration of local politics displays an ignorance of history and an insensitivity to the tragedy in human history that saw the murder of six million Jews and millions of others. The use of words such as “ethnic cleansing” had no place in meaningful debate and discourse at the Santa Ana City Council meeting.
While Councilwoman Alvarez is not officially connected to the Democratic Party, other than through her voter registration, we have supported her candidacy for City Council and have high regard for her accomplishments both as a City Council person and as a District Attorney here in Orange County.
As Chairman, I would remind all public officials that regardless of the issue or the intensity of the moment, that we need to rise above the demeaning rhetoric and encourage advocacy that is vigorous but free from personal, hostile attack.
Councilwoman Alvarez has publicly apologized but she must now apologize directly to the people she offended.
"Dan and Chris are cut from the same cloth."...... Hmmmm
Do you mean that they are both gay?
Stan,
No I mean they are both hypocrites and assholes.
"No I mean they are both hypocrites and assholes."..... Hmmmm
Much better.
Everyone needs a Asshole.. Except Claudia has hers on her face.. She made an apologetic statement.. She didn't mean a word of it.. Come on..
In my of August 27, 2011 email to the city council, I have advised Claudia to stop apologizing.
More you apologize to Jews more they beat you up.
Judaism is not about repentance like Christianity.
Judaism is about revanchism, eye for eye tooth for tooth.