Media opps leading up to May Day in Chicago (Last Update)

[Orlando]

In this email you will find three activities leading up to the May Day march that may be of interest to journalists.   1. Press Conference: May Day organizers defy city pressures to cancel May Day march amidst fears of influenza outbreak 2. Float Ornamenting with La Misión 3. “La Marcha de los Niños“ for family unity and an end to deportations   1.     Press Conference: May Day organizers defy city pressures to cancel May Day march amidst fears of influenza outbreak Thursday, April 30 11:00 am Haymarket Memorial, Randolph & Desplaines St., Chicago IL Media Contact:Jorge Mujica (773) 852-8815Chris Mahin (773) 726-1284   CHICAGO – Using the fear surrounding the swine flu outbreak, anti-immigrant groups, including those in city government, call for a cancellation of the workers' and immigrants' rights demonstration. Immigrants and workers resolve to hold fast and rally with the slogan “without legalization there can be no equal labor rights” despite targeted attacks from the government.    Father Jose Landaverde said “I was directly contacted by city officials.  They wanted to know if we were canceling the march, they wanted us to agree to wear masks if the march was going to happen.” Margarita Klein, Staff Director of Workers United, states: “If people are not allowed to march on May Day because of health concerns, then similar precautions must be taken in other crowded events taking place in Chicago. We will cancel the march when every sporting event, movie showing, church service and class is cancelled.” While aware of the situation in Mexico City, march organizers wish to express their demands without being singled out because of their country of origin.  May Day is a traditional day to raise grievances dating back over 100 years. Workers and immigrants are under attack and city officials can not discourage May Day organizers from exercising their rights to raise issues that affect millions of people.   2.     Float Ornamenting with The Comité 10 de Marzo WHAT:  A work session to ornament the March 10th Committee float for the the immigration and workers rights' demonstration on May 1. WHEN:  4 p.m. -- 8 p.m., Thursday, April 30th. WHERE:  In the rear Parking of the Workers United Hall, 333 S. Ashland, Chicago (Ashland and Van Buren). Contact: Alexy Lanza, alexy...@yahoo.com, 312-656-8655   3.     “La Marcha de los Niños“ for family unity and an end to deportations April 30th, 6 pm at the corners of Jackson Blvd and Michigan Ave. The youth of Our Lady of Guadalupe Anglican Catholic Mission invites everyone to be part of “La marcha de los niños” demanding Family Unity and an end to raids and deportations. Contact: Deacon Jose Herrera, josefro...@aol.com 773.632.9992