These Colorado Republicans Are Pushing the Limits of Anti-Immigrant and Race-Baiting Rhetoric

Walker Stapleton endorser Tom Tancredo has partnered with State Sen. Tim Neville (R-Littleton) and his son Joe Neville to promote political messaging that reflects the anti-immigrant rhetoric of President Trump and pushes the limits of limits of inflammatory and race-baiting statements.

The new Tancredo-fronted group, Citizens for Secure Borders, claims to be “dedicated to providing the public with information regarding key issues related to preserving and promoting the safety and security of the public.” The group’s 501(c)4 articles of incorporation lists the home of Sen. Neville as its “principal office street address.” Its three board members are Joe Neville and two of his employees at consulting firm Rearden Strategic. Both Aaron Yates and Brandon Wark, like Joe Neville himself, are former employees of Dudley Brown’s right-wing gun rights advocacy groups, Rocky Mountain Gun Owners & National Association of Gun Rights.

On May 22, Joe Neville shared a Citizens For Secure Borders post using an uncredited AFP news photograph of an MS-13 gang member. The image is the first result returned by a Google image search of “MS 13.” By crudely superimposing it on a fence with the sign “Please Do NOT Feed the Animals,” the meme embraces the degrading insult “animals” in reference to other human beings. The post’s text reinforces that concept with a tagline about “a trip to the zoo.” From there it’s a small leap to the commenter, (who identifies himself as the father of Rearden ally and state treasurer hopeful State Rep. Justin Everett (R-Littleton) who implies these people should be shot like rabid dogs.

Rearden Strategic is also responsible for another 501(c)4, Advancing Colorado, which has repeatedly created and promoted personal attacks as part of its own aggressive Facebook images, from pro-gun memes to the attack ads on fellow Republicans, including state treasurer contender Polly Lawrence and attorney general candidate George Brauchler.

Read more: http://www.coloradopols.com/diary/108545/these-colorado-republicans-are-pushing-the-limits-of-anti-immigrant-and-race-baiting-rhetoric#sthash.iciCHDw7.dpbs