MAY 1st IMMIGRANT/WORKERS RIGHTS US -WIDE MASS ACTIONS , A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

Media Advisory
Filipino Immigrant Network for Empowerment (FINE)
May 2, 2008
Los Angeles, CA

MAY 1st IMMIGRANT/WORKERS RIGHTS US -WIDE MASS ACTIONS , A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

Los Angeles—The Coalition in Defense of Immigrants Rights (CDIR) –USA and the Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) announced today that mass actions for May 1 that were held in major U.S. cities was a resounding success.

In scores of major cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, New York.Phoenix and Chicago, Filipino Americans immigrants and advocates joined up with their Latino immigrant allies to demand full rights and legalization for immigrants, a stop to ICE raids and deportations and workers rights during May 1 International Workers Day.

Arturo P. Garcia, CDIR and AJLPP deputy national coordinator said: “while the bourgeois media tends to praise the police for “good behavior” and chide the rallyist for supposed the low-turn-out, immigrant groups were satisfied with the unity shown at the marches and rallies all over the United States.

For the third year in a row, after the repeal of the infamous HR 4437, the need for a comprehensive immigration reform and a pathways to citizenship was again thrust into the limelight and the national stage. It clearly shows the immigrant rights movement is alive and kicking, more united and consolidated.” Garcia added.

United MIWON/March 25th and April 7 Coalition March/Rally in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, California, more or less 30,000 joined the united march led by MIWON, the March 25 Coalition and the April 7 Coalition for Full Rights for All Immigrants. In a show of support, owners of the American Apparel gave their workers a day off and 4,000 workers marched from their factory in Alameda towards downtown LA. Brandishing their signs LEGALIZE LA, they also marched back towards their factory after the rally.

In San Francisco, under the broad theme of Workers Uniting Without Borders –Amnesty for All, more than 10,000 protesters gathered in San Francisco on Thursday, May 1st for a 2:00pm rally in Dolores Park, a 3:30pm march to Civic Center, and a 5:00pm rally and musical performance.

In a show of solidarity with their fellow workers, the 25,000 ILWU walked out of their jobs and paralyzed the 29 ports on the west coast of the United States. After the ILWU march, they held a program at the Embarcadero Plaza where prominent speakers like Cindy Sheehan, Green Party candidate for president Cythia Mckinney and Danny Glover

In the North West, Midwest and East Coast

In Chicago, thousands of immigrants and their allies led by the Marcha Primero De Mayo and the March 10 Movement for the rights of immigrant and all workers marched to Union Park (Ashland and Lake) from different marching points all over the city. Filipino American groups CPI and AFIRE joined the march rally.

In Seattle, 6,000 people marched and rallied led by Comite Pro Amnestia will march with the AJLPP/ ANSWER –Seattle from the St. Mary Church to downtown Seattle to demand full immigrant rights and legalization for all immigrants..

In New York, more or less 8,000 immigrants and advocates led by Immigrant Action Coalition assembled from Roosevelt Park Chinatown Queens. New York and marched to the Union Square in downtown New York. Filipino immigrants led by DAMAYAN and youth group UGNAYAN marched with the group.

For more information contact cdir –usa or the Filipino Immigrant Network for Empowerment (FINE) at (213)241-0906 or email@cdir_usa [at] yahoo.com