Open Letter from Workers: demand that the Obama administration stop the rampant I-9 audits and use of E-Verify
Nathalie Contreras
Dear All:
The situation for the immigrant community is worsening every day as they have become the targets of blame for the current economic situation and targets of xenophobia. As in the past, we must act together and act with strength. Now is the time to raise our voices and demand an end to the inhumane treatment of our brothers and sisters. Please see the following letter addressed to various organizations and all interested persons and organizations throughout the country with an appeal to join their struggle. The Southern California Immigration Coalition (SCIC) has now taken an active effort to support their call and work alongside during them and asks that all other interested organizations contact us if they are interested. In doing so we can move along to coordinate a national day of action in support of the workers in addition to the already scheduled events. Please advise us if you would like to join the workers
Please advise us if you can join us this Tuesday, July 21st at 4pm for the worker picket and the press conference. Also attached is a copy of the flyer for the planned actions. If you would like your organization's information to be added please let us know so that we could put it on any of the communications. Please pass this on to any other organizations, individuals, etc. who would be interested in joining the workers in their fight. Thank you.
If you would need more information please contact me (ncont...@gmail.com) or visit the SCIC website at www.immigrationcoalition.org.
Thank you for your support.
In Solidarity,
Nathalie Contreras
Southern California Immigration Coalition
July 17, 2009
OPEN LETTER FROM THE WORKERS OF OVERHILL FARMS, AMERICAN APPAREL, AND FARMER JOHNS – we make a public appeal to all immigrants’ rights coalitions, unions, churches, community organizations, and worker/human rights activists to join us in organizing marches and rallies at this most distressing moment of mass terminations due to the Obama Administration’s policy of unprecedented enforcement of employer sanctions through I-9 audits of profiled companies that hire immigrants; and the broad use of e-Verify, the federal system of employment verification of legal status. We demand unity between all the organizations and coalitions that represent that they work on behalf of immigrants and in favor of fair and humane immigration reform.
We call on the Southern California Immigration Coalition (SCIC), CHIRLA, Latino Movement USA, MIWON, HERMANDADES, interested immigrant and human rights organizations, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Change To Win, the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese, all religious denominations, Dream Act students, MECHA, and other student organizations, Chambers of Commerce, and other interested parties to respond to this call and work tirelessly to support the workers of these and many other companies who are confronted with such terminations. This is clearly the fault of the Obama Administration and only he has the solution in his hands to stop the cheap scapegoating and racial profiling of immigrants that is now sweeping America. This is certainly not the change we voted for, and not the immigration reform promised by President Barack Obama.
We are planning a series of actions to demand an end to the anti-immigant Obama policies and call on you to unite with us. The workers united will never be defeated.
· Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 Rally and Press Conference at Overhill Farms - 2727 E. Vernon Ave., city of Vernon – 4:30 p.m.
· Wednesday, July 29, 2009 March and Rally from American Apparel (7th and Alameda) to the Federal Building (Temple and Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles) – 4:00 p.m.
· Saturday, August 1, 2009 Rally at the Placita Olvera (Alameda and Los Angeles) – 2:00 p.m.
We are not activists but the very workers that you all refer to in your press communications, articles, advocacy, research and conferences. We are taking the lead in this struggle and will not wait for others to act.
Sincerely,
Worker’s Council of Overhill Farms: Isela Hernandez y Marcelino Arteaga
American Apparel Workers
Farmer Johns Workers