ETHNIC STUDIES SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION AS AG TOM HORNE TO ADDRESS UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA LATINO LAW STUDENTS

TUCSON (Monday, March 21, 2011) -- AG Tom Horne will address the University of Arizona Latino Law students to discuss HB 2281, Ethnic Studies Law, on Tuesday, March 22 at 5:45 p.m. at the University of Arizona College of Law, Ares Auditorium, Room 164. Horne will be on a panel.

Horne was invited by the Latino Law school group to discuss HB 2281, and welcomed the opportunity to discuss the issue with the law students and other panel members.

Horne stated: “TUSD’s Ethnic Studies program divides students by race and promotes ethnic chauvinism, rather than teaching students to treat each other as individuals. I am committed to educating the public on what is really happening in these classes.”

WHO: AG TOM HORNE TO ADDRESS UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA LATINO LAW STUDENTS

WHERE: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

JAMES E. ROGERS COLLEGE OF LAW

1201 EAST SPPEDWAY

TUCSON, AZ 85719

DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

TIME: 5:45 P.M.

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RAZA STUDIES SUPPORTERS, IN A THUGGISH MOB, TRIED TO SHOUT DOWN ATTORNEY GENERAL HORNE

PHOENIX (Thursday March 17, 2011) -- Attorney General Tom Horne today released a video of a screaming mob of Raza Studies supporters who interfered with the Attorney General’s efforts to accommodate a request to be interviewed by a television news crew.

In the video below, viewers can see a thuggish mob of Raza Studies supporters trying to shout down Horne, to attempt to prevent an interview with Univision Television.

Horne was in the process of leaving the Capitol after a meeting, when a reporter from Univision Televsion asked him to return to where his cameraman was, so he could do an interview in Spanish, as frequently does for Spanish-language media. A thuggish mob of Raza Studies reporters surrounded them and tried to prevent the interview, screaming at the top of their lungs. When the interview was over, Horne walked to his car, still surrounded by the mob, screaming vulgar epithets.

Horne said, “The Raza Studies program teaches irrational mob behavior as a matter of habit. For example, they did a street play called 'the killing of Tom Horne' which was filmed by channels 4 and 9 in Tucson, and broadcast.”

For a YouTube video (not produced by this office) of Attorney General’s Horne encounter this week go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu3UW_Cw1-8.

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ATTORNEY GENERAL HORNE ADDRESSES FAIR HOUSING TRAINING EVENT

PHOENIX (March 16, 2011) - Attorney General Tom Horne will address the topic of housing discrimination at the "Cost of Un-Fair Housing" seminar on Tuesday, April 12 from 8 am to 12 pm.

The seminar, the Arizona Fair Housing Partnership's Annual event, held at the Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 E Washington, Phoenix will feature speakers such as HUD's Phoenix Field Office Director. There will be a panel discussion by experienced fair housing professionals from the Attorney General's office and the private sector about how to recognize housing discrimination what can be done about it. Groups who wish to learn more about fair housing or who have clients that might be affected by discriminatory practices are encouraged to attend.

“As Arizona’s chief law enforcement official, my office is empowered to enforce fair housing laws,” said Horne. “We recognize how deeply housing discrimination affects individuals and the community and work to eliminate it.”

To register, please visit regonline.com/fh2011 or call Shawna at 602-252-3423.

The Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division is always available to provide training to businesses and professional associations that are working to comply with the law. Information on events and training provided by the Division throughout the year can be found on the Attorney General’s Office website, www.azag.gov.

If you would like more information or feel you have been a victim of housing discrimination, please call the Attorney General’s Office at 602-542-5263 or email at civilrightsinfo@azag.gov.

For more information, contact Arizona Attorney General's Office Director of Community Education and Outreach Kathleen Winn 602-542-6903.

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HORNE ISSUES WARNING ABOUT RELIEF SCAMS FOLLOWING JAPANESE DISASTER

PHOENIX (Monday March 14, 2011) -- With disaster relief efforts underway to help the people of Japan, Attorney General Tom Horne says consumers should be cautious and only make contributions to reputable, established charitable organizations.

“While tragedies such as the disaster in Japan bring out the best in most people, they bring out the worst in others and the result is that scam artists will prey on consumers who want to help by making a financial contribution,” Horne said. “I’m urging Arizonans to give generously to relief efforts, but to make sure their contributions are used for their intended purpose.”

Here are some tips for giving to charitable organizations:

• Be skeptical of anyone asking for a donation by requesting your credit card number or bank account information over the phone unless you already donate to that charity.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations.  
• Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf to ensure contributions are received and used for the intended purpose.
• Don’t be shy about asking what percentage of your donation will go directly to the charity versus administrative costs.
• Call the Secretary of State's Office at (602) 542-4285 or visit their Web site to make sure the charity is registered with the Secretary of State.  A charity that operates without such registration is violating the law and should be seen as a red flag for consumers. Be aware, however, that registration with the Secretary of State does not guarantee that all of the charity’s activities are legitimate.  Several Web sites, including  www.charitynavigator.org, and, provide information on the financial backgrounds of charities. These can be useful for consumers looking to research organizations they are considering for a donation. 
• Do not pay bills or invoices you have received from charities unless you know you have already made a commitment to support them.
• Remember to ask for a receipt and a statement that the contribution is tax deductible.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at 602.542.5763; in Tucson at 520.628.6504; or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 1.800.352.8431. To file a complaint in person, the Attorney General’s Office has satellite offices throughout the state with volunteers available to help. Locations and hours of operation are posted on the Attorney General’s Web site. Consumers can also file complaints on line by visiting the Attorney General’s Web site at www.azag.gov. More tips specific to the Japan disaster are also available at: http://ftc.gov/opa/2011/03/earthquake.shtm.

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