Accion America was created in 2007 in response to the absence of an organized defense of Immigrants in Farmers Branch, while at the same time becoming the lead advocate against drug addiction by young Hispanic children as young as 12 years old, to one of the most addictive drugs in America, Cheese Heroin.
Since its inception, Accion America has become a strong and booming voice for Hispanics taking the lead in efforts in Farmers Branch and Irving and other issues affecting Hispanics throughout the Dallas Metroplex.
Taking the lead against the pervasive used of Cheese Heroin a deadly combination of Black tar Heroin and Tylenol, this drug has caused the death of 28 young adults under 18 years of age and has caused the addiction to thousands of young Hispanics throughout the Metroplex.
Accion America cause the formation of a comprehensive Anti Drug Task force including representatives from Parkland and Children's Hospital, law enforcement, treatment programs, funding sources, city, state and federal officials and service providers.
Accion America's effort against Cheese Heroin have been highlighted on Nightline, Good Morning America, MSNBC, Fox News with Shawn Hannity, The Show de Christina, Despierta America and Aqui y Ahora on Univision National. Media outlets throughout the United States have featured Carlos Quintanilla as the pre eminent anti Cheese Heroin advocate, through his efforts millions of young children have become aware of the dangers of Cheese Heroin.
Our anti drug programs have now become an important part of The Hispanic community, Copa Juventud America is an annual soccer tournament that includes over 3,000 kids and thousands of active parents. Through the Tex Mex Soccer League, young children are given the opportunity to participate in an organized league format, with over 200 teams, this program has become one of the most important alternatives to drug addiction among youth in our community.
On the issue of Immigration, Accion America has been the catalyst and leader in defense of immigrants rights, through its efforts over 65 business joined together to file one of many lawsuits against the City of Farmers Branch that led first to an Temporary Restraining Order against the City of Farmers Branch and then a full rejection of Farmers Branch's effort to implement a law that would have prohibited apartment owners from renting to undocumented persons. A Federal judge in Dallas rejected Farmers Branch's efforts and ruled that the law it was proposing, 2903, was unconstitutional.
Accion America again was the leader in responding to the more than 2,500 deportations in Irving, mostly for minor traffic offenses. Over 5,000 people participated in a peaceful assembly that led to the drastic reduction of deportations in Irving. While the Criminal Alien Program continues to deport undocumented individuals for minor traffic offenses, the number of traffic related deportations has been significantly reduced.
Accion America has been the voice of the Hispanic small business, being their advocate when other chambers ignored them or considered them unimportant, providing guidance and assistance on legal manners, directing them in the right direction and providing resources that may not have been available to them. So it is natural that we establish Camara PYME USA, a program geared towards helping small business succeed.
Most recently, Accion America has been engaged in fighting against abusive landlords, filing lawsuits on behalf of more than 125 families who were evicted without any fault of theirs, by the City of Irving, at Vista del Lago. It spearhedaed the lawsuit filed by 41 families who lost everything at Harveys Racquet Club Apartments, due to negligence and indifference.
Accion America continues to be visible and active in its grass roots efforts and has gone beyond Dallas, Brownsville has become a focal point of our efforts to bring about change within the Brownsville Independent School District, visit our page at www.carebrownsville.org for more info.
Very soon, Accion America will be forming a political action committee, Accion America PAC, to encourage political involvement with the VOTE. Through the Accion America PAC, future Hispanic elected officials will be encouraged to run, supported financially, assisted with an organized effort and given media and ground operations support, so that the chances of becoming elected are stronger.
We have established Accion America as a DBA, that receives its support from programs it develops, sponsorship of its events, contracts it obtains and work it performs. We file a corporate tax return as required by law and we reserve the right to speak out and defend our community as we deem neccessary.
We hope you will join Accion America, and become an active associate, also visit us at www.myspace.com/accionamerica.
We believe that we can make a difference and we will.
Carlos Quintanilla
President
