Chicago Undocumented Worker and Parent Arrested in Alabama Civil Disobedience

[We The Immigrants]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2011

Press Contacts:
Alaa Mukahhal, 708-774-1830
Rigo Padilla, 773-6149668

Chicago Undocumented Worker and Parent Arrested in Alabama Civil
Disobedience

Martin Unzueta, long-time Chicago community organizer and parent
participated in a civil disobedience in Montgomery, Alabama. He was
arrested along with 3 other undocumented parents, and 10 undocumented youth
protesting the increasing criminalization of immigrants.

What: A press conference by Chicago undocumented youth and other community
members, in solidarity with the November 15th action in Montgomery,
Alabama. The action took place at the State Capitol Building, where 13
undocumented youth and parents were arrested. This is the first time that
parents of undocumented youth risk deportation as part of a civil
disobedience. They are currently being held in jail in Montgomery, Alabama.

When: Wednesday November 16, 2011, at 11:00 AM

Where: Chicago Community & Worker’s Rights, 3200 South Kedzie, Chicago IL.

Why: “I am risking deportation because I’m tired of seeing the suffering of
our children, tired of the lies of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We
do civil disobedience because we are not afraid of those who persecute us” said
Martin Unzueta, community organizer at Chicago Community and Workers’
Rights who was arrested during the civil disobedience, and parent of two
undocumented youth organizers of the Immigrant Youth Justice League.

The civil disobedience targets the climate of fear that undocumented
immigrants are facing due to harsh anti immigrant laws like Alabama’s HB
56, and calls for the community to take action. HB56 passed. Under this
legislation police are required to investigate the immigration status of
people who are pulled over for routine traffic stops, and makes it a felony
for undocumented immigrants to do business with the state. There have been
wide-spread reports that undocumented immigrants are leaving the state and
of children being harassed at school for their perceived immigration
status.

The civil disobedience took place during a national convening of
undocumented organizers part of the National Immigrant Youth Alliance.

Who: Undocumented youth and workers, including members of the Immigrant
Youth Justice League, and the Chicago Community and Workers’ Rights.
Speakers will include supporters and allies of undocumented immigrants.

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The Immigrant Youth Justice League (IYJL) is a Chicago-based organization
led by undocumented youth working towards full recognition of the rights
and contributions of all immigrants through education, leadership
development, policy advocacy, resource gathering, and mobilization.