Vol. 71/No. 36      October 1, 2007

Toro, a founder of the community group Vamos a la Peña del Bronx, has been active in support of immigrant workers, in defense of the Cuban Revolution, and other political work since he arrived in the United States in 1984.

Noting the approach of September 11, he said that while the media focuses on the attacks on the World Trade Center, the date also marks the bloody U.S.-backed military coup that overthrew the government of Salvador Allende in Chile in 1973. He explained that, as a member of the Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR) in Chile, he opposed the Pinochet regime’s reign of terror, was jailed, and later left the country as a political refugee. Today he remains without papers because the Chilean government claims he is officially classified as “dead.”

Now, Toro said, he was ordered to appear at a deportation hearing on September 12 in an immigration court in Buffalo, six hours away. He said he was trying to get the hearing moved to New York City, where it would be easier for supporters to attend.

Several days after the forum, Toro told the Militant he had won that initial legal battle, “thanks to the support I’ve received.” He is now awaiting a new court date in New York City.

“This is part of a broader fight,” he said, “the fight by 12 million undocumented workers across the country for a general amnesty.” He pointed to the importance of the May Day mobilizations by immigrant workers the last two years, and the example of Elvira Arellano, who, although recently deported to Mexico, continues to speak out for the legalization of the undocumented.

Toro also backed the struggle of Peruvian workers who emigrate to his native Chile. “They are bombarded by propaganda that Chile is a land of opportunity. The reality is that nearly one million Peruvians are forced to work there for wages of $2 a day.”

Paul Pederson, who spoke for the Socialist Workers Party, pledged continued support for Toro’s fight against deportation. He explained that the same profit drive by the capitalists that has drawn millions to this country as a source of superexploited labor was the one responsible for the recent deadly mine collapse in Utah. In both cases, he said, the result has been resistance by working people and discussions on how to fight most effectively.

He pointed out that growing numbers of immigrant workers are losing their fear and joining struggles, both for the legalization of the undocumented and fights to organize or strengthen unions to defend safety and dignity on the job.
 
 
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