After one told Calero, "It seems like you’re only fighting for Latinos, not Blacks," another replied, "We all need to get past the belief that immigrants are just Latinos. Immigrants are Haitians, Nigerians, Somalis--a lot of Black people. So we shouldn’t think we’re not included."

"I know what you’re talking about," a student told Calero, referring to the immigration authorities’ use of an old conviction on a minor drug charge as the basis for their moves to deport him. "My son got into trouble when he was 16 years old. He served his time and they said it would be taken off his record. That was a while back. Do you know every time something happens they come up with that again? They didn’t take it off his record at all."

"I don’t get it," said another student. "If they already waived the conviction, why are they still hassling you?"

"That’s my point," said Calero. "They shouldn’t be. It’s just one of many abuses by the INS against working people. Supporting my fight against deportation will help push back these kinds of injustices."

Another student asked, "Are you afraid of being deported? I mean, how will you feel if you are?" Calero responded, "I’ve lived here most of my life and I’m fighting to stay. But wherever I am I will continue doing what I’m doing now. One thing we can’t show is fear. They want to see that. The whole purpose of these things is to intimidate us. By fighting we can make them pay and that in itself is a gain," Calero said.
 
 
Related articles:
West Coast meetings build support for fight against deportation of Róger Calero
Build on Calero tour success
Spanish-language daily interviews Calero
Workers put stamp on Calero meeting in San Francisco
Defense campaign wins support at SF antiwar protest
More unionists back defense campaign
Solidarity with hunger strikers  
 
 
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