Conyers Speaks Spanish At ‘English-Only’ Hearing (video)

[cal04]

Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) delivered his opening statement in Spanish at a hearing on Thursday about an English-only bill proposed by House Republicans.

(snip)
“I would ask the gentleman in the interest of fairness here… would you repeat that in Yiddish and Vietnamese and French, please,” Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) said after Conyers’ speech. “Nothing would make the point better than if we conducted all of our debates in different languages and I suppose that makes the case for this bill better than anything else.”

(snip)
Late update: Jordian Fabin of Univision has a helpful translation of part of Conyer’s remarks:
http://univisionnews.tumblr.com/post/28560366901/congressman-speaks-spanish-against-english-only-bill

Today, immigrants from Asia or Latin America are the targets of demonization and discrimination. One day, our nation will again look back on this period with shame and regret.

video at link
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/08/conyers_speaks_spanish_at_english-only_hearing_video.php?ref=fpa

[Smilo]

1. I guess sometime in the future

I will be discriminated against because I speak the "Queen's English" not Amercian (a la Romney) or teabagese.

[TrogL]

2. Canada has no problem with two official languages

Translators (and blind signers) are provided at official hearings.