May 22, 2008

Get this: before we can start circulating the Jamiel's Law petition initiative for signatures, we must translate it into Spanish. I got the official notification yesterday.

Can you imagine that kind of thing happening anywhere else in the world? Do you think the Russians require election materials be printed in Chinese? Or the French mandate German-language ballots? Criminy.

But translate it we will. I guesstimate the petitions should be ready to roll by mid-June. Of course I'll let you know as soon as they are ready.

And here's some good news: you will be able to download the petition forms from the website. However, only people who reside in the City of L.A. can collect signatures, and only registered voters who reside in the City of L.A. can sign the petition.

Finally, FYI, the City Attorney's office came up with the following official ballot title and summary, which we will add to the draft petition when we re-submit it:

"LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT; FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS. INITIATIVE ORDINANCE

"The proposed ordinance provides that neither the Mayor, Chief of Police nor any other City employee shall prohibit or inhibit Los Angeles Police Department officers from investigating possible violations of immigration laws by gang members. The proposed ordinance also requires the City to develop and implement a plan for the Los Angeles Police Department, in cooperation with other government officials, to identify, arrest, deport and/or prosecute and imprison gang members who are in the country illegally. The proposed ordinance also requires the Mayor to provide the City Council and public with quarterly reports on the City's efforts to implement this proposed ordinance."

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