ustxtxb_obs_2004_03_26_50_00020-00000_000.pdf

Snit\(‘ Halal International Headquarters Enjoy our organic, in house roasted coffee. Watch the kids play as you catch up with a friend. Listen to local musicians and relax with a beer or wine. Come see our new space. 3601 S. Congress off E. Alpine Penn Field under the water tower check our site for monthly calendar it NITII Come to the famous & fabulous tairtlerst Fes! Saturday, April 3rd, 2 pm `til dark Lantern Making, Scrumptious Local Cuisine, Raffles, Local Artisans, Moon Bouncers and other Kids’ Activities, Fire Truck, Henna Hand Painting, School Open House, and a magical Lantern Parade at dusk Live Musk featuring Tucker Livingston & Bob Livingston, Colin Gilmore, and more www.samschool.org 4100 Red River 451-7044 Dialogue, continued from page 2 immigration status during the screening process does not violate the Fair Housing Act. Unfortunately, as guidance also notes, “persons who are, or are perceived to be, Muslim or Middle Eastern or South Asian descent have reported increased discrimination and harassment, sometimes in connection with their housing,” in recent years. Then-Secretary Mel Martinez issued a letter to housing providers reiterating that HUD would vigorously pursue fair housing violations on the basis of race, religion or national origin. Use of this, or any other, TAA form in a manner that results in intentional or perceived housing discrimination, is unacceptable and would certainly be a violation of the Fair Housing Act. If any of your readers are aware of any instances in which a property owner has misused this form or is doing anything else to discriminate on the basis of national origin, I would strongly encourage the specific case to be reported to HUD, the Texas Commission on Human Rights or the appropriate local fair housing Wilson, continued from page 5 At Mi Charrito, it’s celebration time. Just after 11:00 p.m., staff member Chris Watson steps to the microphone and announc es that the local news channel has just declared Allen the winner. “It’s a done deal,” says Watson. The crowd cheers. Music pours through a set of speakers. The Mexican restaurant erupts into a dance party. With flowers in hand, Allen sashays into a crowd of supporters, and gets down to the sound of James Brown’s “I Feel Good.” Party leaders who worked for months to defeat Wilson and Lewis can now sing a few lines from another famous James Brown song: “Get ready, that’s a fact/Get ready you Mother for the Big Payback.” Felix Gillette is an Austin-based freelance writer. agency to be investigated. David Mintz Director of Government Affairs The Observer responds: Renee Willette’s interview with David Mintz was initially intended as a larger research project on how housing policies have changed post 9/11 and on whether or not immigrant communities were being disproportionately impacted by those changes. It was only months later that it was suggested that she submit the story to the Observer. We apologize for any confusion. 20 THE TEXAS OBSERVER 3/26/04