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Vol. 71/No. 18      May 7, 2007

 
May Day actions across U.S. to
demand legalization of immigrants
(front page)
 
BY ERNEST MAILHOT  
CHICAGO, April 24—A range of trade unions, immigrant rights groups, and other organizations have come together to back the May Day march here calling for legalization of all undocumented immigrants. They include the March 10 Movement Coalition, Midwest Regional Joint Board of UNITE HERE, Service Employees International Union locals 1 and 73, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 881, International Coalition of Mexicans Abroad, Socialist Workers Party, and dozens of others.

The march and rally here is one of many actions across the country to demand legalization of all immigrants and an end to raids and deportations.

Many of the actions will oppose "immigration reform" proposals pushed by the White House or various congressmen—like the one sponsored by U.S. representatives Luis Gutierrez, a Democrat from Illinois, and Jeffrey Flake, a Republican from Arizona. These proposals include stiff penalties and onerous requirements for those seeking residency (for more details see article on page 2).

Many protesters will speak out against "guest worker" programs; the militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border; and local, state, or federal laws denying undocumented immigrants access to drivers licenses or deputizing local cops to enforce immigration laws.

In addition to Chicago, actions are planned in Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, and other cities (see calendar on page 3).

In conjunction with the immigrant rights action here, contingents of the Chicago Federation of Labor, UFCW locals 1546 and 881, Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, AFSCME Council 31, and other unions will be meeting at 11:00 a.m. at the Haymarket Memorial monument in downtown Chicago before joining the May Day march. The monument honors the 19th century labor martyrs executed after being framed up by authorities during labor’s fight for the eight-hour day (see article on this page).

Actions will also take place in smaller towns and cities across the country. In Hempstead, Long Island, for example, the May Day rally comes on the heels of a victory for immigrant rights. Anti-immigrant legislation introduced by Suffolk County elected officials there was just defeated. Directed at day laborers, who in their majority are immigrants, the measure would have made it illegal to stand, sit, or even "saunter" on county roadways.

Jacob Perasso and Róger Calero in New York contributed to this article.
 
 
Related articles:
‘We’re workers, not criminals!’
At Iowa meeting, workers denounce plan to turn local cops into ‘la migra
Gutierrez-Flake bill: anti-immigrant, antilabor
Build May Day demonstrations
May Day and U.S. fight for an eight-hour day  
 
 
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