Press Conference - May Day demonstration
Comite 10 de Marzo
Comite 10 de Marzo
Contact: Jorge Mujica Contact: Martin Macias Jr.
Tel: 773-852-8815 Tel: 773-340-8803
Email: comite1...@gmail.com Email: martin.m...@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS, IMMIGRANT & EQUAL LABOR RIGHTS ADVOCATES CALL FOR TO END RAIDS AND DEPORTATIONS AND TO MARCH ON MAY DAY
Immigrant rights advocates build an inclusive coalition to march on May Day by holding a press conference to allow undocumented student workers, labor unions, LGBTQ peoples, and ethnic groups to share their reasons for marching.
CHICAG0 – The full scope of the economic crisis has not been thoroughly studied through the lens of the undocumented worker. Although the full spectrum of Chicago residents are suffering considerably from this financial catastrophe, no other demographic has endured what the immigrant community has. On top of losing their jobs, over 11 thousand immigrants were deported from the Chicago area last year, many of them because the Immigration officer simply “found them” during an investigation.
College student Rigoberto Padilla, an active member of his community, was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being pulled over for a traffic violation by the Chicago Police. Rigo Padilla has lived in Chicago for most of his life, and currently there is no path to legalization for people brought to the U.S. as minors.
This is only one example of the personal, human impact of an immigration system that has failed to create a path to citizenship for students and workers alike. It has also led to the creation of unjust laws that are utilized by local law enforcement who operate under limited accountability and transparency.
People of color, especially Latinos, who live in low-income communities, demand an end to raids and deportations. These working poor are struggling to find jobs, fighting to keep their homes, and working hard to support their families.
The March 10th Committee has invited the people to stand up against the attempts to make immigrants and working families pay for the economic crisis and war. Immigrants and workers alike are demanding greater and equal access to education, healthcare, affordable housing, and jobs for all.
WHAT: Press Conference-Chicago Residents share reasons for marching on May Day
WHEN: March 31st, 2009 – 10am Central
WHERE: UE Hall – 37 South Ashland, Chicago
WHO: March 10th Committee, along with a coalition of community organizers and activists including university groups, undocumented students, and union leaders.
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Participants (among others,) at the Press Conference
Master of Ceremonies, Tania Unzueta, Radio Host Show “Sin Papeles”, Radio Arte;
Rigo Padilla, Harold Washiongton College student, Organization of Latin American Students, currently in deportation hearings;
José Macías, currently in deportation hearings
Raul Flores, Republic Windows & Doors worker
Enedelia García, Vigilante Laboral, Chicago Workers Collaborative
Annie Schmidt, DePaul University student, Chicago May Day Student Group
Jorge Ortiz, Northeastern University Student, Movimiento Cultural Latino Americano
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Jorge Mujica