Thursday, April 06, 2006

Immigrants Rights

I don't know how many people are following the numerous marches, rallies, walk-outs & boycotts across the United States for immigrant rights, but it's incredible & inspiring & reminiscent of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. People are coming together in peaceful, positive ways to make others realize their plight & hopefully make positive changes for this country.

A brief overview of the immigrant bill from the House of Representatives: this bill would change illegal immigration from a civil offense to a criminal felony, & would give the authority to jail anyone caught helping an illegal immigrant, including priests & staff at food banks & soup kitchens. The bill also includes the construction of a 700 mile wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Demonstrators are calling for a different type of immigration reform, one that proposes citizenship for undocumented workers. The voice & scale of the demonstrations speaks well for our country on one hand, as it is a prime exercise of our rights under the First Amendment. But on the other hand, it casts America in a deservedly poor light--that of the struggle of 11 million undocumented immigrants who face racism, classism, poor working conditions & constant fear of exposure, just to name a few. They hail from over a dozen different countries including Mexico, Honduras, Ecuador, El Salvador, & the Dominican Republic, fleeing to the United States with little more than hope for a better life for themselves & their children.

As Americans, if we desire a country of freedom, tolerance, hope, equal opportunity & prosperity , we must work to support legislation that grants undocumented immigrants rights as full citizens.
Power in Numbers
Milwaukee March
!Si, Se Puede!
California Student Walk-Out
LA Protest
The Sleeping Giant Awakes
More photos from LA Protest

1 Comments:

Blogger Herman said...

And today the march is in Seattle. It is inspiring -the power in people united.

A few days ago I went into Burger King. Working behing the counter was the lady I tutored for a while to help her english. I thought of her today. She has a lot to be proud of

6:47 PM  

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