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MY LETTER:
To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to express my shock and outrage at the fact that Target is selling Che Guevara CD cases. [1]

Che Guevara has ordered the execution of over 200 people from 1957 to 1959, and countless others in following years. [2]

Consider Che Guevara's own words: "Hatred as an element of struggle; unbending hatred for the enemy, which pushes a human being beyond his natural limitations, making him into an effective, violent, selective, and cold-blooded killing machine. This is what our soldiers must become …" [3]

Out of respect for the victims of Che Guevara, and basic moral decency, I would ask that you pull this Che Guevara merchandise immediately. It is inappropriate and it perpetuates the myth of a man with blood on his hands.

Sincerely,
David Sandoval, Esq.

SOURCES:
[1] http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=250906458533409
[2] http://www.cubaarchive.org/english_version/articles/13/1/Che-Guevara%26%2339%3Bs-victims-in-Cuba-1957-1959
[3] http://www.slate.com/id/2107100/

Guys,

I just went to the Target site and I looked for the item but could not find it - but I put down "che" in the search engine and got a lot of che books that target is selling. And some real weird ones too. Whats up with that?

No need to write big letters, just call them and write to them civilly and say that Cuban Americans in Miami will be boycotting the stores this Christmas if the product is not pulled and an apology issued by the store. Also call the Miami exile radio stations and newspapers and they will spread the word.

Believe me they will listen.

I was in Miami a couple of weeks ago and I went to Target - it is a big store there - imagine if Cubans stopped buying there the amount of money that will be lost?

Dear Target:

As a loyal customer and fan of your stores I was deeply surprised, shocked, and offended when I found out that your company was selling a Che Guevara cd holder.

As the son of Cuban American parents who fled Che's human rights abuses, as well as having friends and family members put to death by Che Guevara himself, I have decided to stop shopping at Target until the Che Guevara case, or any other item glorifying that human rights abuser is pulled from the shelves. Also an apology to the Cuban American community (who shops at Target a lot - especially in Miami and New Jersey) is also in order, as well as a company wide bulletin as to who Che really was, and the misery he wrought on the Cuban people.

I am also going to contact my local and national representatives (especially the four Cuban American law makers in Washington DC), clergy, as well as Cuban American radio, TV, influential Internet blogs, and print media to start an immediate boycott and lawful picketing of Target stores.

This is unfortunate, since I really like Target, and especially when so much has been documented on Che's murderous human rights abuses.

Respectfully yours,

Mario Ramirez
Wantagh, NY

When private individuals, politicians, businesses, and large corporations offend the African-American community in ANY way, the NAACP steps right in and makes a REAL BIG fuss!

I would like to know where is LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) in all of this. Perhaps they should change their name to LULACEC (League of United Latin American Citizens Except Cubans).

http://www.lulac.org/

Target isn't the only place selling che items, there really is no end to the ignorance about the murdering pig so called revolutionary. I was horrified to find at a local (in Oakland, CA)organic vegetable stand a pound of coffe with the picture of the murderer on the label. It was called "Fair Traded-worker friendly-revolutionary coffee". Is it ignorance or simple stupidity? Actually I think the people behind this are not necessarily ignorant they are just blind indoctrinated fools.

Someone needs to send Target executives and managers back to school
Che Guevara Re-Education Program

I emailed Target yesterday about this. I'm not holding my breath, but I will share any response.

I'm SO bummed. I LOVE Target.

sent to LULAC
Ms. Rosales
My name is Daniel Alvarez and I am a Cuban-American currently residing in Brasil. I am writing in regards to an issue which concerns Cubans within the United States. It has come to my attention that Target (which is well within their rights to do so) is selling shirts with the image of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Now let me be very clear on this: I support Target's right to sell whatever they wish. After all, America is a free-market economy, just as I would defend their right to sell "The Turner Diaries" or "The Protocols of Zion", shirts with swastikas or other material that certain groups would find offensive. By the same token, I support any group that takes offense to materials being sold boycotting said store. What I don't understand is why LULAC has been silent on this issue. If Target (well within their rights to do so) sold shirts of Adolf Hitler, the ADL would raise a storm. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, the ADL complained about shirts and baseball caps with the number "88" on them, because this had become 'popular' among skinheads, 88 standing for Adolf Hitler. If a store, again well within their rights to do so, sold shirts with a Klansman on them, the NAACP and Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would be holding press conferences in front of the store, calling for a boycott. Again, I am not against Target (or any store) having the right to sell whatever product they wish. However, they should be aware that for every action there is a reaction. Offended groups are well within their rights to protest and boycott if they wish. I would like to know why LULAC is not supporting the Cuban American community on this issue.
Thank you for your time
Daniel Alvarez

cc: Brent A. Wilkes LULAC National Executive Director, Lizette J. Olmos Communications Director

For the record, I just got a response, here it is
Daniel Alvarez
danielXXXXXXX@XXXXXX.com
Dear Alvarez:
Thank you so much for communicating with the League of United Latin American Citizens, LULAC. The League of United Latin American Citizens, LULAC, is the oldest and largest Hispanic organization in the country. LULAC provides services to Hispanics in cities, state and national communities on different issues whenever possible.
I have been requested by Special Assistant, Elia Mendoza, to LULAC National President to respond to your e-mail dated Dec. 14, 2006.
LULAC is truly concerned about issue that effect Hispanics/Latinos in the United States, however LULAC is an Educational and Civic organization and LULAC basically raises funds for graduating high school seniors to attend a college or university. A local LULAC Council, District Director or the State Director may get involve on different issues if they have the resources.
The LULAC National Office does not have the resources in assisting every individual or group with their individual problems.
Please be advised that this is a freedom of speech issue and LULAC does not boycott businesses. You may wish to file a complaint against Target on your behalf and on the behalf of Cubans.
Because LULAC has a system of Protocol, LULAC must follow these steps in order to discover which LULAC group has the capability, time, resources or funds to provide any kind of assistance.
LULAC is truly sorry about your concerns with “Che” Guevarra T-shirts. LULAC recommends that you meet with the local LULAC Representative and discuss your concerns.
I hope that we have provided you with some guidance and assistance.
Sincerely,
Robert Martinez, Administrative Assistant
LULAC National Office San Antonio, Texas

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