National May 1st Movement for Worker and Immigrant Rights

The Immigrant Rights Movement at a Crossroads

2007-07-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

The Immigrant Rights Movement at a Crossroads

By Javier Rodriguez

After the last round of successful May Day 2007 mobilizations, the national debate on immigration reform legislation heated up intensely but it appears the legislation is dead for this congressional session. However, it is clear the recently defeated senate proposal and the one waiting to be addressed in the lower house, the STRIVE ACT are neither pro immigrant, nor pro worker immigration reform and both fall far short of the human rights standards set forth by the United Nations International Covenant for the Protection of Migrant Workers.

Under both proposals, the legalization offer is a torturous expensive process of 10 to 15 years wait for the coveted “Green Card”. Combined with a guest worker program, a destruction of the family unity concept for a point system and of course the so called national security frame work which endangers civil and human rights standards, making mass persecution and the criminalization of immigrants palatable. There is really no trade off. And liberals as well as some progressives in our ranks have been singing the tune that every country has a right to protect its borders, surrealistically forgetting that it is the people of the poverty stricken sending countries of the world who are in need of protection from the criminal appetite of the transnational corporations and the American empire,. The fabricated conflict against Iraq is but one example.

As has been said before by credible experts and the majority of immigrant rights leaders in the country, the two proposals are gross corporate designed legislations that if approved will maintain undocumented immigrants in suspension of their basic human rights, leaving them politically vulnerable and brutally exploitable. In other words continue the “transnational corporate fiesta”.

More than ever the challenge of what is to be done comes to the fore. Either the people and its organized forces conform to the crumbs on the negotiating table or fight back. In the base, the millions of immigrants themselves are in a quandary. The quest to visit the homeland, have a work permit, be legal, have access to college education, secure the family and not have the fear of being deported on their back all are paramount. But for the future of family unity and the millions more to come, the well being of the whole American working class and for the country’s civil and human rights as a society, the stakes are also very high. The results of this social issue will set the path for a higher or a lower standard of living for all for years to come.

Without a doubt the country’s ruling elite have analyzed the Immigration Reform Act-IRCA of 1986 which generously legalized several million immigrants and it only stipulated a one year wait for the coveted green card and an additional five for full citizenship rights. According to Former Secretary of State Edwin Meese, former President Ronald Reagan was sorry he ever signed the IRCA law and today’s ruling elites, “don’t want to make the same error”. Of course this is the view of corporate America and its political class, including the Latino Estalishment.

Apologists for the dead bill have been saying the proposals are not perfect to “fix” the broken immigration system but under present conditions “it’s the best we can get”. Additionally, it has to this year because the presidential campaign will take precedence and there will not be another opportunity for years.

For us it’s imperative to look at the history of that 1982 to 1986. It was early 1982 and the US Supreme Court ruled on the Class Action Case “Silva Vs INS” popularly known as the Silva Letter. It was an official government document which protected over 100,000 immigrants and their families from deportation. As the case resolved and only 20,000 got their permanent residency, the rest went up in arms. It was the explosion that signaled the beginning of a wave of mass protest. (Very similar to HR4437 and the mass reaction of 2006). The immigrant rights movement, founded in LA in 1968 by the Old Man Bert Corona qualitatively changed and met the challenge of the times. From 1982 to 1986 until President Ronald Reagan signed the Amnesty Law, the masses of undocumented immigrants, then an estimated 6 million in the country, organized and demonstrated militantly. We mounted the massive effort for amnesty unto the historical Jesse Jackson for President Campaign of 1984. It was this campaign through the Democratic Primary in California which I was directing in the state’s Latino community. On May 19 of that year we held the largest ever street protest for immigration rights, 10,000 in downtown LA, and Jackson and my brother Antonio Rodriguez led it. It was for legalization, no raids and deportations and against the Simpson-Mazzoli Immigration Bill. That march agitated and galvanized the country. We then tactically had Jackson stay at the home of Carmen Lima, an undocumented immigrant female leader of the LA grass roots movement. That was a radical and highly symbolical move by the highest African American leader of the time. From there we catapulted to the San Francisco Democratic National Convention where several hundred Latino delegates frenetically demanded from the leadership to kill the bill. But what put the icing on the cake was civil disobedience. The offices of the top gurus of the National Democratic Party, the Law Firm of Mannat and Associates in Beverly Hills, were taken by 30 undocumented immigrants and leaders and held for several days. The Simpson-Mazzoli Bill was killed and replaced by IRCA 1986, the Simpson Rodino Law. Although it introduced employer sanctions and set four years of residency in the country to qualify, it was a generous amnesty. It empowered millions with a “a permit to work, a one year wait to get the green card and six total to gain citizenship and vote”.

It was the class action law suit, then the mass upsurge, the street heat, the presidential campaign, civil disobedience, a strategy and militant tactics and a radical leadership that did it. The rest is history.

The message of this narration is obvious. In this potentially last stage of the present struggle for the empowerment of the millions of undocumented workers, the conditions for a more creative and militant expression to fight back have to be discussed and analyzed and logically placed into practice. In 2006, history was made when the largest mass movement in the history of this country came to be. It successfully embarrassed the empire. And it was not spontaneous. I designed and guided the political strategy parting from the history of this social movement since 1968 and it was inherently based on the present national and international political and social conditions, including the use of the corporate mass media.

Today, indisputably the gigantic struggle for immigration reform in the United States has been rich in its political and organizational expressions and legacy. This is reflected in its major historical accomplishments that above everything else has changed the collective psyque of the people towards the elusive goal of unity. It is an established fact that the slogan “Si Se Puede” is now a relative reachable reality. The immigrant rights movement and its principal protagonist, the immigrant worker, have generated respect and solidarity, not only here, inside the empire, but worldwide and May 1-International Workers Day is now embedded as a workers holiday
in the country where it was born. And it came in a grand scale with a 2006 May 1 National Great American Boycott that in Los Angeles alone, easily, almost all the industries where Latino immigrants labor, stopped a whopping 75% of the production, including the all important Harbor and Long Beach Ports. It was repeated in 2007 at a much lesser, but respectable level. The latest polls on the country’s sentiments on immigrants and legalization, clearly indicate a majority support for the legalization for immigrants. That translated means, a sentiment for the empowerment of the weakest sector of the working class, the globalized immigrant. Our people.

Today this movement, on par with the developments in Latin America moving away from the neo liberalist economic model and against transnational imperial dominance, is once again at a crossroads. The millions who marched in 2006 and 2007 did so to demand their rights for immediate legalization and empowerment, not to continue being near second and third class and near slaves.

We need to push the right buttons. Set the network of forces on the chosen targets which could give premium political results that will essentially force the political establishment to concede. For this to advance, all targets in the political arena are fair game, including the Republicans, the Democrats, the Latino Establishment and brokers. The fundamental tactics of mass expression including, mass street demonstrations, the boycotts and civil disobedience exist in our political memory and our history.

Javier Rodriguez is a Media and Political Strategist and was the initiator for 1.7 million digitally conted mass protest of March 25, 2006 in Los Angeles jrodhdztf@hotmail.com 323-702-6397

2007-05-17T09:13:00.000-07:00

La Comunidad de Immigrantes
Exigen una Ley Justa

Lunes 21 de Mayo

Unase a nuestra Protesta en el edificio Federal

a las 5:00 de la Tarde

Legalizacion Para Todos

Proteccion a Todos Los Derechos de los Trabajadores

Cierre de los Inhumanos Centros de Detencion

No Queremos Esperar 14 Anos Para la Legalizacion

Alto a las Redadas y las Deportaciones

March 25th Coalition
Meetings Every Wednesday 7:00Pm
Casa Del Mexicano 2900
Calle Pedro Infante
www.maydaymovement.blogspot.com

Preguntas Hablan Con:
William Torres (323) 228-2753 Javier Rodriguez (323) 702-6397
Mazen Al Moukdad (323)350-0000 Carlos Montes (213) 712-0370

May Day 2007

2007-05-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

View Photo Slideshow

2007-05-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

MARCH 25 COALITION
2900 Calle Pedro Infante LA, CA 90063 323-702-6397
MEDIA ADVISORY Photo-Op

Contact: Javier Rodriguez 323-702-6397

John parker 323-936-7266

William Torres 323-228-

At 8 days from MAY DAY police attack on marchers March 25 Coalition endorses protest at LA Police Commission Hearing.

Human rights groups, attorneys and victims to address Police Commission Hearing.

WHAT: PROTEST DEMONSTRATION AGAINST MAY 1, 2007 POLICE REPRESSION AT POLICE COMMISSION HEARING
WHERE: LA PARKER CENTER 150 N. LOS ANGELES ST.
WHEN: TUESDAY MAY 8, 2007 2:00 TO 4:00 PM
WHO: MARCH 25 COALITION

March 25 Coalition members responsible for security for the May 1 Downtown March will present testimony to the media and the LA Police Commission that the cops assigned to protect the people’s right to demonstrate were instead looking for a FIGHT WITH CONTINOUS PROVOCATIONS AGAINST MARCH ORGANIZERS AND THE MARChERS THEMESELVES.
Additionally the Coalition endorses today’s protest called by COP WATCH whose members were at the scene where initially a motorcycle officer rammed demonstrators and provoked the confrontation. Victims of the may 1 police violence, Human Rights groups, and attorneys will address the police commission hearing and demand an immediate response and independent investigation.

The March 25 Coalition is the LA based umbrella organization which organized the March 25, 2006 1.7 million Mega March in LA, galvanized the country for the May 1 Great American Boycott and it is a founding member of the May 1 National Movement.

May 1 National Movement for Workers and Immigrant Rights
is the national organization composed of over 100 organizations which convened the May 1 Great American Boycott II 2007 after a national conference held in Feb 2007 at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

MEDIA ALERT! - M25 COALITION HITS POLICE ABUSE

2007-05-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

MARCH 25 COALITION

Media Advisory

CONTACTS: JAVIER RODRIGUEZ 323-702-6397 jrodhdztf@hotmail.com
JOHN PARKER 323-936-7266 johnp@wwpublish.com
WILLIAM TORRES 323-228-2753 gtorres66@hotmail.com
GLORIA SAUCEDO 818-919-4718 gloriasau@hotmail.com

LA May 1 Great American Boycott II Leaders
with Victims of LAPD Abuse
and National Lawyers Guild members
Denounce LAPD Violence and Announce
National Campaign in Defense of Immigrants Rights.

What: Press Conference
Who: March 25 Coalition and Victims of Police Abuse
When: Wednesday May 2, 2007 at 4:00 PM
Where: Parker Center - 150 N. Los Angeles St.

On Wednesday May 2nd at 4:00 PM, the LA March 25 Coalition; victims of police violence and misconduct; and members of the hunger strike to end raids and deportations will hold a press conference to denounce yesterday's police abuse against the immigrant community and project the future of the immigrant rights movement. That future perspective will take into account the march of 10's of thousands that marched yesterday at the May 1st Boycott starting at Olympic & Broadway, constituting the largest demonstration in Los Angeles since May Day 2006. Members of the national committee of the National May 1 Movement for Worker and Immigrant Rights responsible for building the marches of 100's of thousands across the nation will discuss future plans in defense of the immigrant community against such attacks by local police and government.

Present at the media event:
March 25 Coalition political and media strategist and Coordinating Committee member of National May 1 Movement for Worker and Immigrant Rights Javier Rodriguez, Father Luis Nieto, Gloria Saucedo, plus student leaders, union representatives, clergy, community and political organizations.

The March 25 Coalition is the LA based umbrella organization which organized the March 25, 2006 1.7 million Mega March in LA, galvanized the country for the May 1 Great American Boycott and it is a founding member of the May 1 National Movement for Workers and Immigrant Rights, which is a national coalition composed of over 100 organizations which convened the May 1 Great American Boycott II 2007 after a national conference held in Feb 2007 at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

4/29/07 Children's March in LA

2007-04-30T04:08:00.000-07:00

4/29/07 Children's March in LA

March 25 Coalition, Hermandad Mexicana Nacional, FOMUUSA and Latinos Against War

Contact: Javier Rodriguez (323) 702-6397 Gloria Saucedo (818) 919-4718 Emmanuelle Leal (702) 372-5491 William Torres (323) 228-2753

MEDIA ADVISORY: April 28, 2007

Children & Youth March for Immigrant Family Unity

March & Rally to LA City Hall

When: 10 a.m. Sunday, April 29, 2007

Where: Starting at Our Lady Queen of Los Angeles Church @ 535 N. Main Street, LA, 90012

Whe: Starting at Our Lady Queen of Los Angeles Church @ 535 N. Main Street, LA, 90012

Children of immigrant families will march for family unity, to draw attention to the ICE raids that have divided and disrupted families.

Hundreds of immigrant families and their children will march to draw attention to the inhumane raids and deportations. Immigration officials have launched an attack on immigrant families leaving many children without their parents in countless stories across the country.

www.march25coalition.org
www.maydaymovement.blogspot.com

www.myspace.com/latinosaw

Media Advisory - Businesses to Close on May 1

2007-04-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

March 25 Coalition

Contact: Javier Rodriguez (323) 702-6397 or William Torres (323) 228-2753

MEDIA ADVISORY

April 27, 2007

Local businesses will announce their closing on May 1st 2007 to support the Great American Boycott II. They are demanding legalization for ALL immigrants and are calling an END to raids & deportations by ICE.

What: Press Conference of Local Businesses

When: 12 Noon, Saturday, April 28, 2007

Where: La Placita Church @ 555 N. Main St. LA across from Olvera St. Next to Virgin of Guadalupe Altar.

Los Angeles businesses will hold a press conference to announce the closure of their businesses on May 1st 2007 in support of the Great American Boycott II and will join the national call for immigration reform and legalization for all undocumented immigrants.

The Great American Boycott called locally by the March 25 Coalition and coordinated nationally by the May Day Movement for Worker & Immigrants Rights is calling for NO economic activity, NO shopping, NO work and NO school.

In Los Angeles, California and other parts of the country, the 2006 Great American Boycott successfully closed a portion of the economy, showing what a day without immigrants in the economy signifies. The boycott affected every major commercial venue where Latinos/as, and other immigrants, are a majority and shop as well as where they work.

www.march25coalition.org

www.maydaymovement.blogspot.com

Viva May Day by Mumia Abu-Jamal

2007-04-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

Viva May Day -
http://www.prisonradio.org/VivaMayDayMumia.htm

by Mumia Abu-Jamal

Mumia Abu-Jamal is the most well-known death row political prisoner in the world. The African American revolutionary journalist was framed-up for a crime he didn’t commit. His real so-called crime is standing up to and speaking out against injustice everywhere. On May 17 in Philadelphia, Mumia’s lawyers will present oral arguments before a federal district court to demand a new trial for him. If this appeal is turned down, Mumia could face an execution date.

Mumia is a strong defender of immigrant rights and the rights of all workers. Just as ICE is deporting and demonizing immigrant workers, the police are trying to silence Mumia with a legal lynching. Mumia is standing in solidarity with us today. Let us stand in solidarity with him on May 17.

2007-04-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

List Your May 1 Activity
If you are organizing a May 1 event in your area and would like to have it listed please send us an email at may1movement@gmail.com. Make sure that you provide us with the location, time, contact info, and a link to flyers announcing the event.

Hunger Strike for Legalization, Support Grows!

2007-04-26T04:16:00.000-07:00

Latinos Against War

Contact: Carlos Montes (213) 712-0370 carlosmmontes5@aol.com

MEDIA ADVISORY

April 25, 2007

Hunger Strike for Legalization, Support Grows!

What: Hunger Strike 3^nd Day

When: Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Starts: La Placita Church

535 N. Main Street, across from Olvera St.

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Independent Port Truckers Association joins Hunger for Legalization. The Hunger Strike for Legalization is receiving wide support after kicking off its first day Monday, April 23 with 14 people. Staying over night members of FOMUUSA, March 25 Coalition, Latinos Against War, & Casa El Salvador stayed in tents to call for real immigration reform and an end to Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), raids and deportations.

Participantes include: Galdys Pinto, Javier Rodriguez and Carlos Montes.

The March 25 Coalition is calling on all sectors of the community to participate in the hunger strike by committing to one or more days.

The groups are calling all to participate in the May 1, 2007 Grand Boycott II, by no shopping, no work, no school, no economic activity. Also, to join the march & rally set for Tuesday, 12 noon on May 1, 2007 starting at Olympic and Broadway.

LAW continues to protest the presence of military recruiters on high schools and ICE agents in the Eastside. The military recruiters target immigrant Latino youth to serve as soldiers in this immoral war to kill families in Iraq! With the reward of U.S. citizenship as an incentive. While their parents are victims of deportations by the (ICE).

The immigrant community will also voice their opposition to President Bush's immigration plan, the current ICE raids and demand a plan for legalization.

www.myspace.com/hunger4legalization

www.march25coalition.org

www.maydaymovement.blogspot.com

www.myspace.com/latinosaw

2007-04-17T19:51:00.000-07:00

JOIN US on the Hunger Strike
MARCH 25 COALITION-LA
HERMANDAD MEXICANA NACIONAL

Media Advisory-Photo-op

CONTACTS: JAVIER RODRIGUEZ 323-702-6397 jrodhdztf@hotmail.com
EMMANUELL LEALE 702-372-5491
GLORIA SAUCEDO 818-919-4718 gloriasau@hotmail.com
JOHN PARKER 323-936-7266 johnp@wwpublish.com
WILLIAM TORRES 323-228-2753 gtorres66@hotmail.com

HUNGER STRIKE FOR REAL IMMIGRATION REFORM AND LEGALIZATION FOR:

all 12 to 15 million immigrants

600,000 undocumented women and their 3.3 million US born children

For May 1st March and Boycott

What: PRESS CONFERENCE to ANNOUNCE 14 DAY HUNGER STRIKE

Who: Leaders and immigrant rights organizations

When: Wednesday April 18, 2007 at 3:00 PM

Where: La Plazita Kiosk No. Main ST & Cesar Chavez Ave

Immigrant Rights leaders will stage 14 day-plus- rolling hunger involving organizations, workers unions, students and thousands of immigrants and allies to demand of President Bush and Congress an expedient pro immigrant immigration reform that will unify families and end the campaign of raids and deportations in Latino neighborhoods and work places.

Participant leaders will be available for live interviews for 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 pm TV news programs.

The March 25 Coalition is the LA based umbrella organization which organized the March 25, 2006 1.7 million Mega March in LA, galvanized the country for the May 1 Great American Boycott and it is a founding member of the May 1 National Movement.

Hermandad Mexicana Nacional, led by Gloria Saucedo and Alicia Flores, is a mass membership organization of immigrants based in California and Nevada.

2007-04-11T20:07:00.000-07:00

Organizer: Big Immigration Rallies Planned for May 1

Activists are planning a repeat of last year’s huge marches and protests in favor of legalizing immigrants and ending deportations.

WEB EXCLUSIVE

By Andrew Murr

Newsweek

April 11, 2007 - Last year’s giant immigrant rallies culminated in a May 1 boycott as an estimated 1 million protesters marched peacefully in two dozen cities from Boston to Los Angeles. Now, organizers plan to do it again. Dubbed The Great American Boycott II and timed again to coincide with Labor’s traditional May Day celebration, leaders want immigrants to flex their economic muscles by abstaining from purchases, skipping school and attending mass rallies in cities from New York and Chicago to San Antonio.

Last year’s protests targeted the restrictive House bill authored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin that would have made illegal immigrants felons and mandated 700 miles of border fence. (The House later passed the bill, H.R. 4437, but it died in the Senate, which supported a more liberal measure.) This year’s agenda is broader and more diffuse. Organizers are pushing for an end to the recent spate of raids on businesses that hire large numbers of illegals. They also want to stop the federal government from splitting families by deporting undocumented parents whose U.S.-born children are American citizens. Longtime Los Angeles immigration activist Javier Rodriguez, one of last year’s organizers, says he expects “millions” of immigrants will participate, including a larger coalition of groups than last year. Rodriguez recently spoke with NEWSWEEK’s Andrew Murr. Excerpts:

NEWSWEEK: What is planned for May 1?
Javier Rodriguez: We expect a national boycott that will be several times bigger than last year in its size, effectiveness and also in its political message. Easily, there will be over 100 cities that will be boycotting and/or marching throughout the country—primarily, the major cities and regions where the immigrant has staked his ground … California, Texas, Arizona, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois and elsewhere. I expect millions will participate.

Last spring’s rallies and boycott were driven by the House immigration bill sponsored by James Sensenbrenner. That’s no longer an issue. What’s the driving issue now?
The people see two things. One, they see that the Bush administration [approach] has not worked. They see the hypocritical message telling them that he is for family unity and for migrants to be able to legalize, while at the same time he has launched a campaign of persecution that has turned into psychological warfare. The people see right through that. It was those mass marches of last year that pushed the Latino electorate along with the antiwar sentiment that allowed them to defeat the Republican majority [in Congress]. It was a very astute move on the part of the immigrant community. That’s one. But the driving force was that they see their immigration status has not changed. Nothing has happened.

Who is participating this year?
In New York, we have the May 1st Coalition. We have labor support, the West Coast International Longshore Workers Union and we have immigrants’ rights groups, including the Hermandad Mexicana Nacional in Los Angeles. And a whole slew of other groups. We had 63 national organizations come to an organizing session in February. We’re a lot better organized. Last year, we launched the May 1 boycott -at the March 25 rally. This year, we’ve been at it for five months.

The immigrant community will be at the heart of this, but we expect other people to join in. [We are working with] the ranks of the antiwar movement and the African-American community. And also labor.

How about elected officials?
I’ll be very honest with you. At this point, we don’t have any. But with three weeks to go, as the momentum builds and the hype takes over, there will be many. Many of them joined in for the rally on March 25 last year. Even the mayor [Antonio Villaraigosa] of Los Angeles [who supported a mass rally but came out against the economic and school boycotts]. He’s an old buddy, [but] we definitely have different views. Last year, he didn’t close City Hall. He scabbed on our one-day boycott.

What do you mean?
He opened up City Hall.
Last year, we also had the California Speaker Fabian Núñez, [and] the Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero closed the … State Senate that day.

Last time, we had city council folks here in L.A., as well as in New York and in San Antonio. Many of them will show up for the rally. We have the rank-and-file priests on our side.

Have you spoken to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which opposed last year’s boycott?
We hope that they come to their senses and support us.

Last year, the Spanish-language DJs of Los Angeles provided key publicity for the March 25 rally, but then many opposed last year’s boycott. Are they on board this year?
We expect the majority of DJs to come and support the effort, meaning airing it on their programs and bringing it up in jokes, appeals, promos and cultural comments, just like last year. We are moving now. We approached [TV host] Don Cheto yesterday, and they are expecting an official letter from us and they agreed. We have another one who is not very political, Humberto Luna, who will be opening his program to us on a daily morning show on La Ranchera radio.

What effect do you expect this year’s boycott to have?
After the rallies last year, the opinion polls began to say that the majority of the American people were in favor of a legalization process. We want that to continue. It had to do with the fact that the immigrant community came out by the millions and they demanded respect. And we did it in such an orderly way, so civilly. We are calling for a humane plan to legalize all immigrants, and we want an end to the deportations and raids.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18059553/site/newsweek/

2007-04-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

The STRIVE ACT is Corporate Designed Immigration Reform

By Javier Rodriguez April 4, 2007

The debate in the nation on immigration reform is definitely on and the cards are once again stacked. The Gutierrez-Flake STRIVE ACT of 2007 is a corporate monster most of the way. It doesn't come close to meeting the human rights standards set forth by the international community for the more than 200 million migrants in the planet who, by designs of corporate globalization and its rising capitalist transnational class, have been forced to leave their home countries in search of a new life.

On the contrary the new STRIVE ACT, like last year’s failed Sensenbrenner-HR4437 and Hegel-Martinez S2611, will criminalize immigrants, allow enforcement of immigration law by police agencies, calls for more extreme border enforcement, calls for building 20 more detention centers for immigrants, will erode human rights for future deportees and future immigrants, it will impose an employer verification program, it will delay legalization for the 13 million immigrants already here for many years and not surprisingly it does not set realistic standards to resolve the immigration issue period. Overall, if approved, it will further set back the struggle for immigrant empowerment, make present and future immigrant workers more vulnerable to exploitation and drive them further underground.

The international criteria for immigrants set in 1987?, says migrants, within three years of living in the host country, have earned their right to legalize their status. By then, they have established roots in their adopted communities, creating family, children, culture, education, business and religion. This is a sounder humane approach to a real earned right to legalization, to be united with their families and to the stabilization of their lives.

In 1986, through the IRCA Immigration Reform Act, several million urban and farm workers, undocumented immigrants, regularized their status through a radically different set of standards. A one year wait for their permanent residency and five more for citizenship and the right to vote without having to leave the country. The farm worker clause was even more humane with a requirement of only three months of farm work in the previous two years to qualify. It set forth a fee of only $150.00 per applicant. That’s it. It was a family oriented law though far from perfect.

NOW COMPARE. By Cong. Luis Gutierrez own words, under the STRIVE ACT, the legalization part will not be implemented for two years until Congress confirms that the security border enforcement measures of the new law are in place, and then, only then will the legalization process begins. Then after, the first of two three year permits for non immigrant status will be issued with the right to a social security, a drivers license and leave and return to the country. After the sixth year the immigrant will have the right to solicit permanent residency. But instead of an automatic “Green Card” into the hands of the 13 million immigrants, all applicants will be placed in the back of the line for another 5 to 10 years wait, until the applications of 3 million plus potential immigrants now in process, which the STRIVE Bill does not address, are resolved. It does not stop there. An added five year wait to qualify for citizenship and the right to vote, which means, approximately a total 18 to 21 years to exert full earned constitutional rights which all Americans now enjoy under the constitution. Is this a corporate panacea or not?

The proposed house bill also establishes a quota for 450,000 yearly Conditional Workers, a euphemism for the old Guest Workers Program. Conditional Workers will have the right to: two three year working permits with the right to change jobs, to organize, bring their families and children with the right to school, to a drivers license, a social security and lastly, with an existing good moral conduct and no criminal background, the right to legalize. Seductive isn’t it. But like their 13 million immigrant counterparts already in the US, which hypothetically speaking, will be waiting in line for years for the “coveted Green Card” this sector will be highly vulnerable to small and large corporate business misconduct. Admittedly though, on par, the future undocumented sector will be several notches more exploitable.

According to leaks emanating from the Capital in the last two weeks, the Kennedy-McCain Senate proposal will use the same framework of S2611 which died last year. If so, for certain the conciliation process between the House and Senate will be a water down process for the Fable-Gutierrez Bill.

For the immigrant rights movement and allies the central question is “What is to be Done”? Already at the gate in tacit support of this concept is a powerful conglomerate of the most active wing of labor, big business, the Latino establishment, Democrats and Republicans, the church hierarchy, the Mexican and Central American governments and the moderate wing of the immigrant rights movement. And it is well financed with a war chest of $4 million dollars.

The accomplishments of the 2006 mass immigrant struggle are historic. Most notable was energizing the electorate and along with the antiwar sentiment changing the correlation of forces in Congress against the extreme right. Without a doubt President George W. Bush and the Republicans are in a weaker position although his shock troops have launched a near fascist campaign against the country‘s undocumented creating havoc and terror.

At this point, the correlation of forces is absolutely not favorable except that the country’s progressive forces and allies move from traditional lobbying towards mass mobilization in an attempt to gain the upper hand and influence the national debate for a more inclusive pro worker immigration reform. The activists response to the governments ICE raids and deportations campaign has been toe to toe and it appears, has set the conditions for another round of mega mass mobilizations. We shall see if the people respond accordingly again on May 1st International Workers Day in defense of their dignity and humanity. The challenge is as historic as in 2006.

Javier Rodriguez is the media and political strategist for the March 25 Coalition and a co-founder of the May 1st National Movement. Jrodhdztf@hotmail.com 323-702-6397

2007-03-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN END TO THE ESCALATION OF IMMIGRATION RAIDS, DEPORTATIONS AND SEPARATION OF FAMILIES

Whereas, the Mayor and City Council of Chicago are on record in support of comprehensive immigration reform that would provide legalization and a road to citizenship for millions of undocumented people in this city and this nation; and

Whereas, the Mayor and City Council of Chicago are on record in opposition to the separation of families by the enforcement of our current immigration laws and in support of the reunification of families that have been so separated, especially those “mixed status” families with U.S. citizen children of which there are an estimated four million children currently in this country; and

Whereas, the Mayor and City Council of Chicago are on record calling for a moratorium on deportations, especially of families with U.S.
citizen children, until comprehensive immigration reform is finalized; and

Whereas, raids and deportations are increasing in scope and number in recent weeks and months, separating families; and

Whereas, 17 individuals are currently being held in the Chicago Metropolitan area with excessive bonds including mothers with infant children and fathers who are the sole support of their families; and

Whereas, national political leaders such as Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts have called for congressional investigations of these raids especially in respect to the harm caused to children by the incarceration of sole caregivers; and

Whereas, the escalation of these raids and deportations comes at a time when congress is about to begin the debate on comprehensive reform and when the President has called for the passage of comprehensive immigration reform by August of this year; and

Whereas, Chicago is home to Elvira and Saulito Arellano who have taken sanctuary in a Chicago church for seven months in a courageous act of civil disobedience against current immigration laws which would separate U.S. citizen children from their parents; NOW THEREFORE,

Be It Resolved that the Mayor and City Council of Chicago call on the President of the United States to issue an executive order to cease and desist in the execution of all raids and deportations that do not relate to our national security or to criminal activity until comprehensive immigration reform is completed and to suspend immediately all deportations of parents with U.S. citizen children and to specifically release those now held in custody in the Chicago Metropolitan area on their own recognizance; and

Be It Further Resolved that the Mayor and City Council of Chicago urge the members of the Illinois Congressional delegation to support comprehensive immigration reform which ends the separation of families, promotes the reunification of families and provides legal status with a path to citizenship for the estimated 12 million undocumented in this country; and

Be It Further Resolved that the Mayor and City Council of Chicago offers its moral encouragement to Elvira and Saulito Arellano and reaffirms its support for the introduction of a private bill which would grant her legal permanent resident status and allow her to stay with her U.S. citizen son; and

Be It Further Resolved that the Mayor and City Council of Chicago establish Sunday, April 29th, 2007, as "Family Unity Day" in Chicago and urges all residents to participate in a day of prayer, peaceful gathering and petitioning of their representatives for an end to the tragedy and suffering of the separation of families; and

Be It Further Resolved that suitable copies of this resolution be printed and presented to the President of the United States, to the members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, to both local and national officials of the Department of Homeland Security and to Ms.
Elvira Arellano.

DANIEL S. SOLIS EDWARD BURKE
Alderman 25th Ward Alderman, 14th Ward

BILLY OCASIO MANUEL FLORES
Alderman, 26th Ward Alderman, 1st Ward

RICARDO MUNOZ
Alderman 26th Ward

APPROVED BY A VOTE OF 45 TO O
MARCH 13TH, 2007

2007-03-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

CENTRO DE DERECHOS LABORALES

91 north franklin st. Suite 207

HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550

______________________________________________________________

COMUNICADO DE PRENSA

Fecha de publicación: Martes 27 de Marzo , 2007

INMIGRANTES DE LA COMUNIDAD LATINA EN GENERAL: IGLESIAS DE NASSAU Y SUFOLK, COMITÉ DE CIUDADANOS, LA COALICIÓN DE EMPLEADORES DE LONG ISLAND, COALICIONES DE INMIGRANTES, ANUNCIARAN DIA DE ACCION EN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, EN CELEBRACIÓN DEL PRIMERO DE MAYO

FECHA DE CONFERENCIA: lunes 2 Abril, 2007

HORA: 11:00M

DONDE: en las gradas de la alcaldía de la villa de

99 nichols court

Hempstead Ny 11550

CONTACTO: Carlos Canales – Nadia Marin Molina

(516) 565-5377 oficina

(516) 582- 2720 cel

PORQUE: presionar al congreso por una reforma migratoria justa para todos

ILWU Local 10 supports national May Day actions for worker and immigrant rights

2007-03-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

Resolution of International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 10 - Adopted February 15, 2007, San Francisco, California. [This resolution was later adopted by ILWU Local 19, the longshore local in Seattle, Washington.]

WHEREAS, Local 10 adopted a resolution for our April 2005 Longshore Caucus reclaiming May Day (May 1st) which commemorates the struggle for the 8 (eight) hour work day in the United States;

WHEREAS, Local 10 endorsed May 1st, 2006 and participated in the Great American Boycott to protest the criminalization of immigrant workers by legislation such as HR4437 and the Marine Transportation Security Acts criminal background checks on dock workers;

WHEREAS, On May 1st, 2006, 90% of the container cargo at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach was halted as the result of immigrant truckers not going to work;

WHEREAS, Agribusinesses such as Tyson Foods and Cargill closed down several of their plants in anticipation of immigrant workers not going to work on May 1, 2006 in support of immigrant rights;

WHEREAS, Our own Harry Bridges, an Australian immigrant worker, faced four prosecutions by the U.S. government, was wrongfully convicted, illegally imprisoned, fraudulently stripped of his citizenship, and his attorneys sent to jail for defending him;

WHEREAS, ILWU in 2008, will start very difficult contract negotiations with the employer which requires we start to mobilize our members and build coalitions; and

WHEREAS, Hornblower Cruises has yet to hire skilled and experienced ILWU and other union ferry workers as well as to negotiate a fair contract;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the membership instruct Local 10’s president to convey our intentions of having our stop work meeting on Tuesday, May 1st, 2007 at 9 a.m. to Pacific Maritime Association;

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Local 10 participates in the Great American Boycott II, in support of workers and immigrant rights, including the workers of Hornblower Cruises, on May Day, 2007 and that the ILWU Local 10 Drill Team perform; and

THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be sent to all ILWU locals, the International, and affiliated central labor councils.

- Adopted by International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 10, February 15, 2007

March 15 Washington D.C. Press Conference for May 1st

2007-03-27T11:41:00.000-07:00

Last week members of the National Coordinating Committee of the National May 1 Movement for Worker and Immigrant Rights held a very successful press conference with over 12 media outlets attending the National Press Room in Washington , D.C. Following is a reportback from the conference with a plea for donations. We've already begun creating thousands of bi-lingual fliers with national and local information on May 1st activities by the coalition, held various press conferences and forums to build a united May 1st Boycott and we need your financial support. In addition, coordinated national actions against the raids and deportations are planned for March 25th.

You can keep abreast of all of the coalition's activities, see and join the endorsers' list and download fliers at www.maydaymovement.blogspot.com.

Donations to the National May 1 Movement for Worker and Immigrant Rights can be sent to:

May 1st Movement
c/o United Teachers Los Angeles
3303 Wilshire Blvd., Fl-10
Los Angeles, CA 90010

Checks or money orders can be made out to:

May 1st Movement.
c/o United Teachers Los Angeles
3303 Wilshire Blvd., Fl-10
Los Angeles, CA 90010

At the D.C. press conference Bishop Filipe C. Teixeira, OFSJC, Northeastern Diocese
of Saint Francis of Assisi, Immigration Pastoral Center speaking on
New Bedford, Massachusetts raids and the need for a May 1 Boycott in 2007.

Movement Leaders Announce
May 1 Actions for Immigrant Rights

By Namwiinga Simwiinga-Khumalo
and Heather Cottin
Washington, D.C.

The National May 1st Movement for Worker and Immigrant Rights held a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on March 15 to announce plans for “A Day Of No Work, No Shopping, No School, No Economic Activity.” May 1 will be what the May 1st Movement has dubbed “The Great American Boycott II.”

At the news conference, labor activists, leaders of immigrant-rights groups, antiwar organizers, African American leaders, and representatives of Latino/a and Muslim organizations called for an end to the terrorist attacks, raids and deportations against immigrants nationwide. The press conference was organized and chaired by Teresa Gutierrez, a leading representative of the May 1st Coalition for Immigrant Rights based in New York.

Bishop Felipe C. Teixeira of the Immigration Pastoral Center in Massachusetts said that the recent anti-immigrant raids in that state had shown “the face of racism and discrimination. No human being is illegal.” Teixeira spoke of the children’s cries after the Nazi-like raids by Immigration Custom Enforcement who hauled away women workers in New Bedford, Mass. The bishop said the number of children left motherless was much greater than the news media reported. He called for a bigger May 1 protest, saying, “Together, united, we can defeat the imperialism of the USA.”

Emma Lozano of the Chicago immigration rights group Centro Sin Fronteras, which is supporting the right of sanctuary for Elvira Arellano, urged immigrants to use their economic power. “They don’t question us when we spend our money. They question our right to work,” she said. “We will hurt them in their pockets,” Lozano continued. “This country has exploited undocumented labor for over a century and grown rich off of it. We are not asking for anything. We are demanding our rights.”

Organizing for the Great American Boycott II is intensifying all over the country in the face of growing ruling-class hostility toward immigrant workers. Homeland Security has deported over 200,000 people in the last year. Thousands of immigrant parents and children are in jail.

The National May 1st Movement for Worker and Immigrant Rights, whose formation was announced at a Feb. 4 conference on Feb. 4 in Los Angeles, has mounted a counterattack against this racist policy, focusing on the May 1 mobilization.

Those who participated in the massive marches in the spring of 2006—which were victorious in defeating HR 4437, the Sensenbrenner bill—are gearing up for another nationwide strike to stop the vicious attacks against immigrants.

Javier Rodriguez, national coordinating committee member who initiated the press conference, said that “mass demonstrations are scheduled for May 1 in cities across the country including: Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, New York City, San Antonio, Houston, Seattle, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Detroit, Providence, R.I., Elizabeth, N.J., Hempstead, N.Y., and many other locations. This broad participation is an indication of the growing unity among U.S. and foreign-born workers.”

At the March 15 news conference, Boston school-bus driver union leader Steve Gilles said all workers are hurt by government policies that divide U.S. and foreign-born workers. “The government is working with capital to break unions and lower wages.”

Representatives from the Food and Commercial Workers, which represents the workers at the Smithfield, N.C., hog processing plant hit with anti-immigrant raids in December, expressed full support for the boycott.

Debanuj Dasgupta of Queers for Economic Justice spoke on the devastating impact of anti-immigrant attacks on over 1 million lesbian/gay/bi/trans people without documents.

John Parker, an African American leader in the March 25th Movement in Los Angeles, called for “Black and Brown unity,” and spoke about how centuries of exploitation and oppression unite Black people and immigrants of color.

Troops Out Now Coalition leader LeiLani Dowell spoke of the war abroad and the war at home, calling on anti-war activists to support the May 1 action.

Day laborers from Freehold, N.J., and Freeport, Long Island, N.Y., spoke of their right to work unmolested, saying, “We are not criminals.”

May 1 events in solidarity with immigrants in the United States have also been called by the workers’ movements in Venezuela, Mexico and the Philippines.

15 de Marzo - CONFERENCIA NACIONAL DE PRENSA PARA ANUNCIAR EL GRAN PARO AMERICANO II

2007-03-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

Movimiento Nacional Primero de Mayo para Derechos de los Obreros y Inmigrantes

www.maydaymovement.blogspot.com

213.995.4905

3303 Wilshire Blvd. 10^th Flr. c/o UTLA Los Angeles, California 90010

Lanzamiento de Noticias

Para Distribución Inmediata

CONFERENCIA NACIONAL DE PRENSA

PARA ANUNCIAR EL GRAN PARO AMERICANO II

LOS ALTAVOCES TRATARAN LOS DERECHOS DE EL TRABAJADOR E INMIGRANTE EXIGIRAN UN FIN A LAS REDADAS Y DEPORTACIONES

MASIVAS DEMOSTRACIONES SE REALIZARAN EL 1ro DE MAYO, 2007 ALREDEDOR DEL PAIS

Inmigrantes Activistas Laborales, Grupos a los Derechos del Inmigrante, Organizaciones de la Paz, Lideres Afroamericanos, Organizaciones Latinas, Lideres Musulmanes y muchos mas que seran Anunciados El Dia De No Trabajo, No Compras , No Escuela , Ninguna Activida Economica De Mayo 1, 2007

Qué: Rueda de prensa nacional

Quién: Dia Nacional 1ro de Mayò movimiento por los derechos de el trabajador e inmigrante

Cuando: Jueves, Marzo 15, 2007

Hora: 1pm

Donde: National Press Club 529 14^th Street. NW Washington, DC

El Jueves, Marzò 15 en Washington DC docenas de los activistas y de líderes por los derechos del inmigrante y del trabajador se reuniran en la National Press Club, 1pm. Anunciarán los planes próximos para el gran boicoteo uerrao II que se llevarar acabo el Martes, 1 de Mayo, 2007. La rueda de prensa es organizada por El Movimiento Nacional Mayo 1 por los derechos del trabajador e inmigrante, una coalición nacional fundada en Los Ángeles Febrero 3.

El gran boicoteo uerrao II está respondiendo a las grandes represarias contra los trabajadores e inmigrantes en este país. Es una continuación de las marchas masivas que ocurrieron en la primavera pasada victoriosas en derrotar la HR 4437, la legislación de Sensenbrenner.

Los activistas laborales hablarán con el gobierno sobre las polizas que estan destruyendo las uerra y disminuir el salario minimo y uerra los Estados unidos de trabajadores extranjeros. La solidaridad con los trabajadores inmigrantes, documentados e indocumentados uer acentuada. Los líderes afroamericanos hablaran de la unidad con los trabajadores inmigrantes y de la historia que une a dos comunidades. Los organizadores contra la uerra ligaran la uerra de el exterior con la uerra en este pais e invitaran a activistas contra la uerra para apoyar el Mayo 1, 2007. Los trabajadores del día hablarán sobre la cantidad de ataques raciales que estan occuriendo y como la comunidad con apoyo estan luchando en contra.

El Martes, 1 de Mayo, 2007 masivas demostraciones se llevaran acabo através del país incluyendo Los Ángeles, Chicago, Boston, NuevaYork, San Antonio, Houston, Seattle y muchas otras ciudades en una indicación de la unidad cada vez mayor entre ESTADOS UNIDOS y los trabajadores extranjeros contra un enemigo común: el gobierno de ESTADOS UNIDOS. Eventos de solidaridad con los inmigrantes en los ESTADOS UNIDOS llamado por los movimientos de trabajadores en Venezuela, México y las Filipinas.

-30-

San Francisco Labor Council Resolution - SUPPORT MAY DAY 2007ACTIONS FOR WORKER AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

2007-03-13T05:49:00.000-07:00

San Francisco Labor Council Resolution –

Adopted March 12, 2007

Defeat the anti-worker, anti-immigrant and anti-union attacks!
SUPPORT MAY DAY 2007 ACTIONS FOR

WORKER AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

Whereas, on May Day 2006 history was made . The world watched as millions took off from work and school to march for the rights of immigrants and all workers, in the largest International Workers Day demonstrations in the United States in living memory; and

Whereas, the March 25th Coalition, based in Los Angeles, which spearheaded the massive protests for immigrant rights in the spring of 2006 [that were victorious in defeating the repressive HR 4437 Sensenbrenner bill], has joined with a broad coalition of organizations in the Latino, Black, Filipino, Labor and other communities, to form the May 1st National Movement for Worker and Immigrant Rights, calling for mass demonstrations on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 in cities across the country including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, New York City, San Antonio, Houston, Seattle, Phoenix, San Francisco, Detroit, and many other cities demonstrating "the growing unity among US and foreign born workers"; and

Whereas, the San Francisco Labor Council on April 3, 2006, in a "Resolution in Support of Immigrant Workers" -- noting the AFL-CIO's February 16, 2000 "historic resolution in support of amnesty for immigrant workers" -- called for mobilizing in support of "full legalization and equal rights for undocumented immigrants" and supporting the call for the May 1st, 2006 national day of protest; and

Whereas, on May 22, 2006, the San Francisco Labor Council adopted the "National Statement to Support Human and Civil Rights for All Immigrants", issued by the National Network on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, calling for "fair and just immigration reform for all" and solid worker protections, and opposing then-current legislation which would have created new "guest worker" (transient servitude) programs; and

Whereas, on March 10, 2007, 22 organizations in the immigrant community and their allies came together in San Francisco to begin planning for a march for worker and immigrant rights in San Francisco on May 1, 2007, in conjunction with the national demonstrations; and

Whereas, federal immigration authorities including ICE have been conducting brutal raids on workplaces and people's homes -- from the arrest of 1,300 workers at Swift & Co . meatpacking plants in six states on December 12, 2006, to more recent raids in the Bay Area, at the Smithfield hog processing plant in North Carolina and elsewhere -- terrorizing and separating families, intimidating the workers and interfering with union organization at the workplaces, in a massive violation of civil and union rights; therefore be it

Resolved, that the San Francisco Labor Council endorse and encourage participation in the May Day 2007 marches and other protest activities in San Francisco and cities nationwide, behind the banner of

1) Legalization and equal rights for immigrant workers;
2) Stop the brutal raids on immigrant workers;
3) No "guest worker" programs;
4) A moratorium on deportations;
5) Uniting workers of all nationalities and races in the struggle for our rights and our future .

--Adopted March 12, 2007 by the San Francisco Labor Council, AFL-CIO, by unanimous vote

March 15 - NATIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE THE GREAT AMERICAN BOYCOTT II

2007-03-11T12:20:00.000-07:00

May 1st National Movement for Worker and Immigrant Rights

www.maydaymovement.blogspot.com

213.995.0694

3303 Wilshire Blvd. 10^th Flr. c/o UTLA Los Angeles, California 90010

MEDIA ADVISORY & PHOTO OP

NATIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE THE

GREAT AMERICAN BOYCOTT II

No Work * No Economic Activity *No Shopping * No School

MEDIA CONTACTS:

New York City: Teresa Gutierrez, 917.328.6470, Conference Organizer

Los Angeles: Javier Rodriguez 323.702.6397

Northern California: Evelina Molina 707.623.3135

Detroit: Rosendo Delgado 313.580.5474, Elena Herrada 313.974.0501, Ignacio Menesis 313.587.9285

Boston: Most Rev. Filipe C. Teixeira OFSJC, 617.816.7795 & Dorotea Manuela 617.922.5744

SPEAKERS TO ADDRESS WORKER & IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

WILL DEMAND AN END TO RAIDS & DEPORTATIONS

PLANS FOR THE ONE DAY NATIONAL BOYCOTT & MASS RALLIES ON MAY 1^ST, 2007 TO BE ANNOUNCED

Immigrants, Labor Activists, Immigrant Rights Groups, Peace Organizations, African American Leaders, Latino Organizations, Muslim Leaders and many others to announce A Day Of No Work, No Shopping, No School, No Economic Activity on May 1^st 2007 International Workers Day, to demand Congress approve fair and pro-immigrant, pro-workers immigration reform and end the terror launched by the Bush Administration on immigrant communities nation wide.

WHAT: NATIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE

WHO: NATIONAL MAY 1^ST MOVEMENT FOR WORKER AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

WHEN: THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2007

TIME: 1PM

WHERE: NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

529 14^TH STREET, NW

WASHINGTON, DC

On Thursday, March 15 in Washington DC dozens of immigrant and worker rights activists and leaders will converge at the National Press Club at 1pm. Speakers will announce upcoming plans for the Great American Boycott II to take place on Tuesday, May 1, 2007. The press conference is organized by the National May 1^st Movement for Worker and Immigrant Rights, a national coalition founded in Los Angeles on February 4.

The Great American Boycott II is in response to the growing hostility toward immigrant workers in this country and is a continuation of the massive marches that occurred last spring that were victorious in defeating HR. 4437, the Sensenbrenner legislation. The demonstrations also demanded an inclusive pro-immigrant reform with legalization for the more than 12 million undocumented workers and their families in this country.

Labor activists will speak to government policies that are aimed to break unions and lower wages and divide U.S. and foreign born workers. Solidarity with immigrant workers, documented and undocumented will be emphasized. African American leaders will address unity with immigrant workers and talk about the history that unites the two communities. Anti-war organizers will link the war abroad with the war at home and call on anti-war activists to support May 1^st, 2007. Day laborers will speak about the many racist attacks taking place and how the Latino community along with supporters is fighting back.

On Tuesday, May 1^st, 2007 mass demonstrations will take place in cities across the country including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, New York City, San Antonio, Houston, Seattle, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Detroit, Rhode Island, and many other cities in an indication of the growing unity among U.S. and foreign born workers against a common enemy: the U.S. government. Solidarity events with immigrants in the U.S. have been called by the workers movements in Venezuela, Mexico and the Philippines.

-30-

Workshop Resolutions from Feb 3-4 National Conference

2007-03-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

U.S. Wars, Iraq & Immigration Workshop:

Most participants had an opportunity to express their thoughts about the disconnect between the "peace" movement and the struggle of immigrants.

All expressed the absolute necessity to educate the anti-war movement to all the other wars of U.S. imperialism - which cause the migration of peoples all over the world.

Specific action to address their issue:

1) Formal call from the conference to all national anti-war coalition and to the peace and justice movement in general to fully support the May 1 Boycott actions.

2) Official endorsement from conference of anti-war actions called for Feb. 17 and March 17 and encourage participation in anti-war actions.

Committee on Border Vigilanteeism & Violence:

Resolutions -

Organize a speaking tour of L.A.-area universities and colleges on immigrants' rights.

Spread the word about UCLA protest of Minutemen speaking on campus this Tues. Feb. 6th.

Galvanize white community to hold Minutemen accountable and expose them, check them.

Mobilize for counter march on Feb. 10

Get demonstration permit for March 25

RESOLUTIVOS DE LA MESA DE TRABAJO SOBRE MEXICO Y LATINO-AMERICA:

CONSIDERANDOS:

Que America es un continente y no solo un pais.
Que los trabajadores son una clase social internacional
Que la migración forzada, es el producto de la explotación de la globalización y capitalismo salvaje
Que la Convención internaacional por los Derechos de los Trabajadores Migratorios y sus familiares, reconoce, los derechos laborales y sociales, en los Estqados de destino.
The National Puerto Rican Caucus Supports the Full and unconditional call for Full Legalization for all Immigrants. Recognizing that U.S. Citizenship was and still is an Imposition to All Puerto Rican People yet we recognize that it's a Human Rights matter on a both National and Internatonal scale and stand in complete Solidarity with all human Beings.

Pa'lante Siempre Palante National March 25 Coaltion Puerto Rican Caucus

SE RESUELVE:

La internacionalización de Movilizaciones en el Día del Trabajo, en los EEUU convocando a las organizaciones sindicales y sociales en nuestros paises de origen, a sumarse al
PARO y BOICOT ECONOMICO, el próximo Primero de Mayo del 2007.
Oponeros a cualquier convenio tipo bracero, trabajadores temporales o huespedes, por no ser la solución para nuestros paises ni para las demandas del movimiento obrero internacional, no a la esclavitud moderna.
EXIGIR a nuestros gobiernos, que se promuevan politicas y leyes justas y humanas que defiendan los derechos de los trabajadores en transito y de sus familiares, dentro y fuera de sus respectivos paises, ensenando con el ejemplo.

Clergy & May 1st Boycott:

We agreed that All religions should say -

Stand for Justice
Be Against Oppression

1) Boycott your church if they don't. Hold them accountable
- March vs. Boycott. Boycott is more effective.
- Bring your church on May Day.

2) Preaching; Publicizing May Day/Struggle.
- Action Item: Send press release advising Imams to speak on Khutbah and teach public.

3) Statement: Interfaith/Ecumenical with concrete steps on how to prepare and support this cause.

From John Henry Clark: Use religion like Malcolm X.

Youth & Student Workshop:

Demands -

1) Full Equality for all immigrants Now.

2) All schools and universities be sanctuaries
a)No retaliation for walkouts or any forms of protest
b)Don't ask, don't tell policy regarding immigration status
c)No law enforcement or immigration authorities allowed on campus without search warrants
d)Schools and organizations should protest students and youth who engage in political activity and/or do not have documentation

3) No military recruitment at schools. End targeting of immigrants and all youth for military recruitment.

4) Stop the war on Iraq and immediate withdrawal of all occupation troops from Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world.

5) End the legal disenfranchisement of youth and students. Give all workers who pay taxes, regardless of immigration status and age a right to vote.

March 10 - Detroit se une en defensa de Elvira Arellano/Detroit Joins in defending Elvira Arrellano

2007-03-09T11:50:00.000-08:00

Detroit se une en defensa de Elvira Arellano
Frenemos su deportacion

Moratoria inmediata para poner alto a las redadas, deportaciones, sanciones por parte del empleador y separacion de familias. Diga si a la legalizacion.

La Sra. Elvira Arrellano estaba trabajando cuando elementos de Homeland Security la arrestaron durante una redada de “Operación Tarmac” en el aereopuerto O’Hare de Chicago Illinois. Ella es una madre soltera con un hijo Estaunidense (Saulito Arrellano) y hoy confronta su deportación. Arrellano fundo una organización llamada “La Familia Latina Unida” la cual representa familias separadas(o al borde de la separación) por leyes de inmigración injustas e inmorales. Hace un corto tiempo Ms Arrellano hizo una huelga de hambre que duro 22 dias. A traves de esta huelga ella denuncio e impidio la deportación de 26 trabajadores de la compañía IFCO. Desde ese entonces, se convirtió en un símbolo y lider de los trabajadores indocumentados en la lucha por lograr la legalización para todos. Hoy Arrellano pide al gobierno una moratoria a las redadas y deportaciones.

Le invitamos a que escuche al Pastor Walter L. Coleman de la Iglesia Adalberto United Methodist Church en Chicago

El Ministro Coleman dara un informe en relacion a la situacion de la Senora Elvira Arellano y dara una explicacion acerca de las razones por las que le otorgo asilo en dicha iglesia. Tambien se dara un informe en relacion al Grande Boycot del primero de mayo del 2007.

Donde: La Iglesia Episcopal “Ste. Peter”

1950 Trumbull (y Avenida Michigan)

(contra esquina al antiguo estadio de los Tigeres de Detroit)

Cuando: El sabado 10 de marzo, 2007 a las 2 PM

Patrocinado por: Latinos Unidos de Michigan(LUUM), Centro Obrero de Detroit(COD), y

US Cuba Labor Exchange

Para mas informacion comuniquese a: (313) 887 - 1849 rosendo@luum.org
(313) 587 – 9285 laborexchange@aol.com

====================================================================

El Gran Boicot Americano II
May 1, 2007

______________________________________

Detroit Joins in defending Elvira Arrellano

Help stop her deportation

Call for an immediate Moratorium to stop raids, deportations, employer sanctions, and separation of families. Say yes to legalization of undocumented workers.

Elvira Arrellano was working when she was arrested by “Homeland Security”during an “Operation Tarmac” raid in Chicago’s Illinois O’Hare airport. Ms Arrellano a single mother with a US born son (Saulito Arrellano) is now facing deportation. Arrellano the founder of

“La Familia Latina Unida” represents families separated (or on the verge of separation) by broken immigration laws. She recently led a sucessful hunger strike for 22 days to pressure

a stay of 26 IFCO workers under deportation orders. Ms Arrellano stood up and denounced the raids & deportations. Since then, she became a symbol and a leader of the undocumented workers in the struggle for legalization. She has pushed for a moratorium on raids and deportations of all workers.

Come and hear Pastor Walter L. Coleman from the Adalberto United Methodist Church in Chicago
Pastor Coleman will give an update on Ms Arellano's situation, and will explain

his reasons for granting her asylum in his church.

He will also talk about the Great May Day Boycott of 2007.

Where: St. Peter's Episcopal Church
1950 Trumbull (& Michigan Ave. in Cork town)

When: Saturday March 10, 2007 at 2PM

Sponsored by: Latinos United of Michigan(LUUM), Centro Obrero de Detroit(COD) and

the US Cuba Labor Exchange

For more information contact: (313) 887 - 1849 rosendo@luum.org
(313) 587 – 9285 laborexchange@aol.com
====================================================================
The Great American Boycott II

May 1, 2007

March 10 - Detroit Press Conference to Denounce Raids, Deportations & Seperation of Families

2007-03-09T11:38:00.000-08:00

Latinos Unidos/United de Michigan, Press Advisory

WHAT: A press conference on Raids, Deportations, Separation of
families, racial profiling and employer sanctions.

WHERE: St. Peters Episcopal Church
1950 Trumbull (& Michigan Ave. In Detroit’s Cork Town)

WHEN: Saturday March 10, 2007 at 1:00PM

WHY: Church Ministers, Community Leaders, Human Rights Advocates, Public
officials & concerned citizens, will join in solidarity to affirm,
our nation's basic values of justice, fairness, due process, and
humane treatment for all, no matter what their status.

Speakers will denounce the raids and deportations that separate families, racial profiling, enforcement and raid tactics by BICE(Bureau of immigration & Customs Enforcement - Department of Homeland Security) with no respect to our core fundamental rights under the U.S. Constitution and Universal Human Rights.

Pastor Walter Coleman - Adalberto United Methodist Church in Chicago
Father Norman Thomas - Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Detroit
Minister Dawoud Muhammad - Michigan Representative of Honorable Minister
Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam
Honorable JoAnn Watson - Detroit City Council Woman
Cardinal Bayi Lande - Shrine of the Black Madonna, Detroit
Bishop Nkenge Abe - Shrine of the Black Madonna, Detroit

Pastor Walter Coleman will deliver a call from Ms. Elvira Arrellano for a Moratorium on these raids and deportations until fair and comprehensive immigration reform is achieved. In September of 2006 Ms. Elvira Arrellano a young undocumented mother of U.S. born 7 year old Saulito Arrellano took refuge in Adalberto United Methodist Church. Since then, this church became Ms. Arrellano’s Sanctuary.

Pastor Walter Coleman will call on the Faith Community for a “Statement of Unity” and mass participation in opposition to separation of families by our current immigration laws. And for the reunification of separated families in the comprehensive immigration reform legislation that soon will be before Congress and the Senate.

The “May First National Coalition” is calling for a national boycott to take place on
May 1, 2007. Latinos Unidos de Michigan is a member organization of this coalition and will follow their lead organizing for May 1st here in Detroit. There will be other May 1st actions in many other major cities across the U.S., Mexico and Latin America on this date.

For additional information contact:

Latinos Unidos/United de Michigan(LUUM)

Rosendo Delgado (313) 887 - 1849 rosendo@luum.org
Ignacio Meneses (313) 587 - 9285 laborexchange@AOL.com
Elena Herrada (313) 974 - 0501 elenaherrada@comcast.net

2007-02-28T20:14:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles Immigrant Rights May Day Conference States:

On to the May 1st Great American Boycott II

Stop the Raids & Deportations NOW!!

Conference formed the:
National Coordinating Committee of the
May Day National Movement for Workers and Immigrant Rights

(See Below for the Demands and Points of Unity Adopted)

In an historic development in the U.S. immigrant rights struggle, a coalition of national organizations met in Los Angeles on Feb. 3 - 4 to plan and coordinate the "Great American Boycott II" for May 1. Out of this formation came the National Coordinating Committee of the May Day National Movement for Workers and Immigrant Rights. That national body includes:

Chris Silvera, Secretary-Treasurer Local 808 Teamsters;
SEIU Local 721 - Latino Committee;
March 25 Coalition;
May 1 Coalition - New York
May 1 Coalition - Northern California;
UTLA Human Rights Committee;
Charles Jenkins, Transit Workers Union Local 100;
Latinos Unidos - Detroit;
Mexican Senator Jose Jacques Medina (PRD);
Che Lopez, Border Social Forum;
Southwest Workers Union;
Elvira Arellano - in sanctuary in the Chicago church of coordinating committee member Rev. Slim Coleman;
William Robinson, Professor of Sociology - University of Santa Barbara;
Father Ben Alforque - National Alliance for Filipino Concerns;
Father Luis Angel Nieto;
Bishop Teixera, Dorothea Manuela - New England Coalition for Immigrant Rights;
Kentucky Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform;
Puerto Rican Caucus;
World Can't Wait;
Troops Out Now Coalition;
BAYAN-USA;
Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation;
Clarence Thomas - Million Worker March Movement, ILWU Local 10 and executive board member of Alameda County Central Labor Council.

Called by the March 25 Coalition, initiator of the 2006 May Day actions that brought millions into the streets, the coalition aims to defend immigrant workers and show their power by bringing "business as usual" to a halt across the country on May Day.

A press conference and demonstration condemning the raids and kicking off the conference, called by the March 25 Coalition organizers on Feb. 2 outside the Los Angeles Federal Building, drew almost 100 people and much national and local press. Two Latina women from a local factory raided the previous day came and described the brutalization by ICE agents, who had held guns to the heads of workers.

Regarding the raids Chito Quijano, one of the speakers at the plenary sessions that began Saturday, Feb. 3 who is the national chair of BAYAN-USA and organizer with the California Nurses Association stated: "Sensenbrenner was the fire that fed last year's massive protest. This year, the raids will be the fuel."

A plenary on "Globalization of Immigrant labor and Transnational Capitalism" featured Teresa Gutierrez of the May 1 Coalition in New York and William Robinson, professor of sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Robinson outlined the growth of immigration and repression in the U.S. over the last 30 years, pointing out that contemporary "transnational capitalism" makes the profits it needs to sustain its existence through the value produced by low-wage labor of immigrants. To keep those profits it must maintain economic, legal and cultural control of immigrant workers.

Gutierrez highlighted the use of racism to divide the working class and posed a crucial question: "How, given the repression against immigrants, can we sustain the magnificent movement begun May Day 2006, and bring unity to the immigrant rights struggle?"

Relating to this question, Javier Rodriguez, co-initiator of the March 25 Coalition said at a plenary: "This conference is significant because it is the first organized national effort to convene the major coalitions and groups that are more to the left, that initiated last year's May 1 boycott. This is the movement that will attempt to coalesce to establish a historical alliance of Latinos and African Americans. All the roots are here at this conference, with significant representation from both groups."

Part of that representation of African Americans came from Clarence Thomas, an intitiator of the Million Worker March , member of International Longshore Workers Union Local 10 and the Alameda County Central Labor Council's Executive Board. He paid homage to the country and people of Mexico for their support in the historical struggle against U.S. slavery, and called the absolute right of Mexicans to travel across the U.S.-Mexican border without reprisals. Thomas vowed to return to Local 10 to ask that it participate in May 1 in a "meaningful way," adding, "This is a rank-and-file movement, and that's what's keeping it afloat."

Chris Silvera, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 808 who has also been the president of the 400,000-member Teamsters Black Caucus was also an invited plenary speaker who led a workshop on Black-Brown unity.

International solidarity took on a big emphasis at this conference with a plenary featuring Pablo Franco Hernández of the Unión de Juristas de Mexico and attorney of Oaxacan political prisoners. In addition, Senator Jose Jacquies Medina of the PRD of Mexico also spoke at this plenary session.

A video message from Elvira Arellano brought forward the special oppression and resistance of women immigrant workers. Arellano, founder of La Familia Unida Latina, has been in sanctuary in Chicago for six months in defiance of threated deportation. She affirmed, "I am not a criminal. I am a mother and a father to my son. I fight so the undocumented people will be respected."

Demands and Points of Unity Include:

Stop raids and deportatoins
Government reconstruction and the right of return for Katrina survivors
Money for social services, not war
Stop & reverse militarization of the borders of the Americas
No to "free trade" agreements, including: NAFTA, CAFTA, FTAA & all FTAs imposed by U.S. transnationals
Immediate, permanent, non-revocable legal residence for all who live in the U.S.
Stop the Minutemen, KKK, Neo-Nazis and all racist organizations
Access to higher education for all undocumented students
Immediate Reunification of all families
No criminalization of those giving aid to immigrants
Full Legalization for All NOW
Equal Rights for All Workers Now
Jobs for All NOW

2007-02-28T19:47:00.000-08:00

Statement from Conference:

NATIONAL MAY DAY MOVEMENT FOR WORKER &
IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

May 1st, 2007 we will be out in the streets, not shopping or selling, if possible not working; but Marching. On February 3rd & 4th, 2007, a Conference hosted by the March 25th Coalition culminated in a call for a national day of actions for workers and Immigrant’s Rights on May 1st, 2007. During the two day conference, representatives from around the country came together in Los Angeles, California and agreed on a National Campaign to bring about true comprehensive immigration reform. From New England to the South West, from the South to the North West, people came together at the Loyola Law school to begin to map out a plan of action leading to May Day mobilizations. It was agreed that it was the unprecedented massive presence in the streets during 2006 that stopped the draconian and fascistic Sensenbrenner Bill from becoming the law of the land & that we need to be on the move again to further the cause of immigrant and workers rights.

People left Los Angeles unified and committed to building unity with other forces around the country around the need to once again have many millions of undocumented workers and their families partake in raising their voices along with the rest of the people in this country. This must take place in order to put an end to the intense raids and deportations taking place around the country, and stopping the President’s push towards guest workers programs which only benefit Corporations and enslave Immigrant workers.

This urgent & immediate need must be addressed as the first step towards achieving full legalization for the 12 to 20 million human beings living in the shadows and persecuted in this country while their labor and consumption is a cornerstone of this country’s economy. May 1 is the next necessary step towards a comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill that does not tear apart families or criminalize the millions of people who have been forced by globalization and the so called Free Trade agreements to leave their families, communities, country's of origin and ways of life, to risk their lives and come here to work

Behind a set of demands and Points of Unity which include:

Stop raids and deportations
Government reconstruction and the right of return for Katrina survivors
Money for social services, not war
Stop & reverse militarization of the borders of the Americas
No to "free trade" agreements, including: NAFTA, CAFTA, FTAA & all FTAs imposed by U.S. Trans nationals
Immediate, permanent, non-revocable legal residence for all who live in the U.S.
Stop the Minutemen, KKK, Neo-Nazis and all racist organizations
Access to higher education for all undocumented students
Immediate Reunification of all families
No criminalization of those giving aid to immigrants
Full Legalization for All NOW
Equal Rights for All Workers Now
Jobs for All NOW

it was agreed to hold a national press conference on a date yet to be determined as well as local activities leading up to a National boycott and Mobilizations on May 1st, 2007.

National May 1st Movement for Worker and Immigrant Rights

The Immigrant Rights Movement at a Crossroads

May Day 2007

MEDIA ALERT! - M25 COALITION HITS POLICE ABUSE

4/29/07 Children's March in LA

March & Rally to LA City Hall

When: 10 a.m. Sunday, April 29, 2007

Where: Starting at Our Lady Queen of Los Angeles Church @ 535 N. Main Street, LA, 90012

Whe: Starting at Our Lady Queen of Los Angeles Church @ 535 N. Main Street, LA, 90012

Children of immigrant families will march for family unity, to draw attention to the ICE raids that have divided and disrupted families.

Media Advisory - Businesses to Close on May 1

Viva May Day by Mumia Abu-Jamal

Hunger Strike for Legalization, Support Grows!

What: Hunger Strike 3nd Day

When: Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Starts: La Placita Church

535 N. Main Street, across from Olvera St.

Los Angeles, CA 90012

ILWU Local 10 supports national May Day actions for worker and immigrant rights

March 15 Washington D.C. Press Conference for May 1st

15 de Marzo - CONFERENCIA NACIONAL DE PRENSA PARA ANUNCIAR EL GRAN PARO AMERICANO II

San Francisco Labor Council Resolution - SUPPORT MAY DAY 2007ACTIONS FOR WORKER AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

March 15 - NATIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE THE GREAT AMERICAN BOYCOTT II

Workshop Resolutions from Feb 3-4 National Conference

March 10 - Detroit se une en defensa de Elvira Arellano/Detroit Joins in defending Elvira Arrellano

March 10 - Detroit Press Conference to Denounce Raids, Deportations & Seperation of Families

What: Hunger Strike 3^nd Day