Dean Johnson Comments on Hate Crimes for Sacramento Bee
Dean Kevin R. Johnson commented on the recent killing of an Ecuadoran immigrant in New York and its impact on the local Latino community for a story in the Sacramento Bee. The article, "New York immigrant's killing affects capital-area Latinos," examines the November 8 death of Marcelo Lucero, whom prosecutors allege was attacked by seven high school students. The youths, who allegedly were engaged in a "game" of finding and beating Latino immigrants, have been charged with hate crimes.
Dean Johnson stated that Lucero's death has caused concern in the Latino community that negative rhetoric in the media targeting immigrants, combined with the economic slowdown, may result in increased violence. Immigrants who arrive to fill labor needs during times of economic expansion have often been the targets of violence when the economy slowed, the dean noted.
Kevin R. Johnson is dean and Mabie-Apallas Professor of Public Interest Law and Chicana/o studies at UC Davis School of Law. He is an internationally recognized scholar in the fields of immigration law and policy, refugee law, and civil rights.