Aurora CO – On March 17, at 11 p.m., a growing crowd of around 40 community members gathered outside the GEO Group ICE Processing Center in Aurora for a vigil to protest the unjust detention of Jeanette Vizguerra. Among those present are activists, a news crew, indigenous people burning sacred herbs, and the family members of Vizguerra.

Vizguerra is an undocumented community organizer and has long been a champion of people’s freedom. Her consistent support of people’s struggles has led a variety of supporters to come to her aid, and protest ICE and its attempts to tear her away from her family.

Alfredo Carbajal, an organizer with Aurora Unidos CSO described the vigil, saying, “It was very somber, obviously the family was having a rough go of it, not knowing whether she’s doing okay. It seemed very sad, but they were grateful to have folks show up in support.”

Vizguerra was abducted by ICE from her place of work without warning. ICE appears to be ready to deport her, even though the agency does not have a valid deportation order. Though her attorneys have raised these violations of law, ICE ripped her from her family and the community.

Vizguerra was taken to the GEO Group ICE Processing Center, an ICE prison located in Aurora, Colorado at 3130 Oakland Street. The GEO Group facility has been the subject of multiple large protests over the last few months, with families of those being held there reporting that their loved ones are being “treated like animals,” and subjected to solitary confinement.

One participant in the vigil was Daranee Teng, an educator by trade and an organizer with Shoes Off Collective, an Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander community organization. Tang stated, “I’ve worked for many years on the North Side of Denver with undocumented students, and I remember in 2013 when ICE came after Jeanette, and I remember in 2017 when she took sanctuary in churches.” Tang continued, “I know there are folks that don’t like that she speaks out, but I think that’s what we need more of.”

Those gathered in front of the GEO Group building kept watch over the possible exits where Vizguerra could be taken, wary that she might be transported in the dead of night and disappeared to another facility or deported. Organizing into shifts to watch the gates through the night and into the next day, the community is preparing to stand firm.

ICE and the Aurora Police Department have worked together in open violation of Colorado law. According to the Colorado ACLU, “State law additionally prohibits depriving a person of their liberty on the basis of a suspected civil immigration violation in the absence of a warrant signed by a judge.”

Vizguerra is an outspoken supporter of the Palestinian struggle for liberation and does not hesitate to oppose the U.S. war machine. It is clear that the illegal detention of Jeanette Vizguerra is politically motivated, as she has long been a resident of Colorado, living and working here but also participating in the people’s struggle for freedom from oppression.

Vizguerra’s family and community are concerned for her safety inside the GEO Detention Center. They are demanding that ICE reestablish communication between Vizguerra and her family, so that they can know she’s safe.

#AuroraCO #CO #ImmigrantsRights #CSO #ShoesOffCollective #Featured

Olympia, WA – Hundreds gathered at Heritage Park in Olympia, on Saturday, January 18, to protest against the second inauguration of Donald Trump. People of all ages, genders and nationalities from dozens of organizations made up the Peoples’ March on a brisk, sunny afternoon.

Protesters put forward demands around the environment, indigenous sovereignty, economic justice , liberation for Black people, liberation for trans people, immigrant justice, reproductive justice, and freeing Palestine.

“We want everyone to be united in our movement to say ‘no’ to cages,” said Rufina Reyes, director of immigrant rights group La Resistencia, “This is the worst time to bow down our heads. We want people to stand up and say, ‘Here we are, and we have the right to fight for ourselves and fight for our families!’“

Immediately after the march to the Capitol, many of the crowd gathered at a community center a few blocks away for the Festival of Resistance. The Festival of Resistance, according to its program, “is a crucial opportunity to build community and solidarity, engage in outreach and education, and prepare to take collective action ahead of what is sure to be a tumultuous time.”

The first half of the gathering was a social hour where patrons ate free food provided by Food Not Bombs and mingled with other festival-goers. The second half of the programming included discussion groups such as “Organizing for Queer and Trans Liberation” and “Neighborhood Organizing” and workshops including “Prison Letter Writing” and “Anti-Repression Workshop,” just to name a few.

“The Festival of Resistance is important because we need to prepare for what’s coming under the Trump administration,” said Arlo Dalton, member of Palestine Action South Sound. “It’s going to be important to build our network to fight against these attacks. And if we want to be ready, we need to get started now!”

#OlympiaWA #WA #ImmigrantsRights #WomensMovement #LGBTQ #PeoplesAction #Environment #PeoplesMarch #Trump

Orlando, FL – On Saturday, July 1, over 350 community members marched up and down Aloma Avenue against the Governor Ron DeSantis-backed anti-immigrant bill, SB 1718, as well as the governor’s continued attacks on Florida’s LGBTQ community. The sweeping bill, which went into effect that same day, prohibits funding for social services for undocumented immigrants, invalidates driver’s licenses issued to undocumented people by other states, makes it harder for undocumented workers to find jobs, and much more.

The event started off with a rally outside the local office of State Representative Susan Plasencia, a right-wing Latino of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent who voted in favor of the bill. The crowd demanded that she be held accountable for her role in the attacks on the Latino community in Orlando and across the state, calling her a “traidora” or “traitor.”

Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet of the HOPE Community Center said, “We are more united than ever,” adding, “Tell Susan we are watching what she is doing. We will not forget! We knocked on hundreds of doors this past week educating constituents about the harm created by policies she voted for.”

Some of the other organizations in attendance included the Florida Immigrant Coalition, Poder Latinx, and the Florida Farmworkers Association.

The march then proceeded westward down Aloma Avenue, accompanied by chants like, “Sí se puede!” (“Yes we can!”) and “Aquí estamos, y no nos vamos! Y si nos echan, nos regresamos!” (“We are here and we won’t leave! And if they throw us out, we will be back!”). The march received constant honks in support from cars passing by.

A coalition of legal advocates from the Southern Poverty Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union, Americans for Immigrant Justice, and the American Immigration Council have announced plans to file a federal lawsuit challenging SB 1718.

#OrlandoFL #ImmigrantsRights #LGBTQ

Tampa, FL – On May 14, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a car protest at the University of South Florida (USF) to demand COVID-19 relief funds for undocumented students. USF has offered no financial help for undocumented students during the pandemic and the only COVID-19 aid for students is the CARES Act Fund, for which DACA and undocumented students are ineligible.

Students and SDS members parked near the USF president’s mansion on campus for socially-distanced speeches and chants demanding that USF provide relief for undocumented students. Simon Rowe, a member of SDS stated, “DACA students are more at risk for losing housing or income compared to other students. USF needs to account for the increased risk and lack of federal aid by providing aid to undocumented students using their own funds.” After the speeches were finished, the protest formed a car caravan where students drove near the mansion while honking to further their demand.

This is Tampa Bay SDS’s second action demanding COVID-19 aid for undocumented students, and SDS will continue to make these demands until USF provides funds specifically for undocumented and DACA students.

#TampaFL #ImmigrantRights #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #ImmigrantsRights #PeoplesStruggles #Florida #USF #TampaBay

Tucson , AZ – More than 2000 people joined a protest here, June 30 to oppose the Trump administrations attacks on immigrants.

#TucsonArizona #ImmigrantsRights #PeoplesStruggles #Arizona

Tucson , AZ – More than 2000 people joined a protest here, June 30 to oppose the Trump administrations attacks on immigrants.

#TucsonArizona #ImmigrantsRights #PeoplesStruggles #Arizona

Minneapolis, MN – On Jan. 12, the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar (TCC4J) made their presence felt at the first meeting of the newly-elected Minneapolis city council.

Before the start of the city council meeting, the groups held a press conference at the Father of Waters statue inside the City Hall rotunda, where they explained that they will stand together to demand that the new city council members take immediate action toward making Minneapolis a true sanctuary city for it’s immigrant residents and for community control of the police.

MIRAC member and pastor Daniel Romero began the press conference saying, “To the mayor and the city council, with the very lives of immigrants at stake, your lack of urgency on immigration issues is unacceptable, and it’s time for you to speak up and to act. On Sept. 20, MIRAC introduced its Sanctuary Now platform, a set of 13 immigrant rights proposals that, if enacted, will help the city become a welcoming city, not only in rhetoric, but in reality. A top priority of MIRAC is a municipal ID for all city residents.”

Loretta Van Pelt of the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar said, “I would like to tell the new leadership of the city council and the city that we demand community control of the police. That we, the community, not some pseudo-committee, get to hold the police accountable when they harm a member of our community. In the last few years we have seen cops get away with murder, and the murder victims not seeing justice. Community control would be one way those families would see that justice. We are also standing in solidarity with our immigrant siblings who call the Twin Cities home. We support the Sanctuary Platform because we see that local law enforcement and ICE work hand-in-hand to terrorize communities.”

After the press conference, the group went into the city council meeting, where they made up most of the audience. They held signs and banners reading, “Sanctuary now,” “Resist attacks on immigrants” and “Municipal ID for all.”

The city council meeting was very short, and as they were about to adjourn, the activists asked to speak. After a couple minutes of council members discussing whether to allow the public to speak and what parliamentary motions were needed to do that, the council finally suspended the rules and Erika Zurawski of MIRAC and Loretta Van Pelt of TCC4J spoke directly to the members of the city council about the urgency of passing the Sanctuary Platform and community control of the police.

On Sept. 20, 2017, MIRAC publicly launched their campaign for Sanctuary Now in Minneapolis, unveiling a 13-point Minneapolis Sanctuary Platform for immigrant residents of the city. A key part of the platform is a municipal ID for all city residents. One of the 13 points was passed in the final sessions of last year’s city council, and MIRAC is pushing for rapid action on the other 12 points.

From Jamar Clark to Justine Damond, unarmed innocent civilians are killed by Minneapolis police who are not prosecuted, disciplined or held accountable in any way. On Oct. 20, 2017, the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar and family members of Jamar Clark called on the city council to establish a Minneapolis Police Accountability Council, and true community control over the police. The activists from MIRAC and TCC4J pledged that they will continue to organize until the city takes action.

#MinneapolisMN #ImmigrantsRights #PeoplesStruggles #MIRAc #SanctuaryCity

Minneapolis, MN — About 2500 people marched through the streets of Minneapolis, Sept. 5, demanding “Hands off DACA! No more deportations!” Protesters gathered at the Minnesota Republican Party headquarters and marched to downtown where they joined another powerful rally organized by Asamblea de Derechos Civiles.

One of the groups participating in the protest was the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC). According to MIRAC member William Martinez, “Today’s attack on DACA by the Trump administration is a human rights catastrophe motivated by naked racism. We must all join together in solidarity to reject the politics of racist hate. We will stand together with people of all races and nationalities to say no human being is illegal, and we won’t stand for even one more deportation.”

#MinneapolisMN #InJusticeSystem #ImmigrantsRights #PeoplesStruggles #DACA #Trump

Minneapolis, MN — About 2500 people marched through the streets of Minneapolis, Sept. 5, demanding “Hands off DACA! No more deportations!” Protesters gathered at the Minnesota Republican Party headquarters and marched to downtown where they joined another powerful rally organized by Asamblea de Derechos Civiles.

One of the groups participating in the protest was the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC). According to MIRAC member William Martinez, “Today’s attack on DACA by the Trump administration is a human rights catastrophe motivated by naked racism. We must all join together in solidarity to reject the politics of racist hate. We will stand together with people of all races and nationalities to say no human being is illegal, and we won’t stand for even one more deportation.”

#MinneapolisMN #InJusticeSystem #ImmigrantsRights #PeoplesStruggles #DACA #Trump

Chicago, IL – 1000 people marched in Chicago, May 1, from Union Park to the Haymarket Memorial, and then into downtown Chicago to Trump Towers. The front banners read “Stop the deportations!” “Stop the hate! Stop Trump!” “Yes to DAPA/DACA!” “Yes to legalization!” and “Yes to workers’ rights!”DAPA and DACA refer to President Obama’s executive orders for deferred action – Deferred Action for Parental Accountability, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

At the Haymarket Memorial earlier in the afternoon, the Illinois Labor History Society and the Chicago Federation of Labor gathered for their annual event to commemorate the martyrs of Haymarket. In 1886, the tradition of International Workers Day was born from a general strike by hundreds of thousands of workers in the U.S. The rich in Chicago called for the leaders of the strike to be rounded up and hung by the government.

This year, the commemoration honored the World Federation of Trade Unions. The Filipino union federation, Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement) also sent a solidarity statement which was read at the memorial.

#ChicaoIL #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #ImmigrantsRights #MayDay #PeoplesStruggles #chicago #DACA #Illinois #DAPA #laborRights

Madison, WI – More than 15,000 Mexicanos, Chicanos and Latinos, including students, workers, businesses owners and professionals joined a rally at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, occupying the rotunda. The huge masses of protesters came out in support of “El dia sin Latinos” or “A day without Latinos” to protest two anti-immigrant bills, AB 450 and SB 533. Some schools and businesses were half empty or closed as students walked out, and farms, factories and work places across Wisconsin were noticeably short-handed.

Both of the repressive Wisconsin bills, trumpeted by Governor Scott Walker, criminalize undocumented people, similar to the repressive SB 1070 law in Arizona. The first Wisconsin bill, AB 450, requires police and public employees to investigate the immigration status of people and then detain for deportation those who are not carrying papers. The second bill, SB 533 aims to block the issuing of local identification cards to undocumented immigrants who otherwise would not have an ID.

Jorge Maya of Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES) said, “The protest was amazing to see, so many thousands of people out to defend their own safety and security in Wisconsin. The people are not harming or hurting anybody, but these new laws show the politicians don’t really care at all about the people.”

Student groups that marched were YES-Marquette University, YES-University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA). Other University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette University and high school students joined in as well.

El Rey supermarket shut down for the day, adding up to 500 workers to the march. The supermarket chain’s owner, Ernesto Vilarreal, encouraged his workers to attend the march and demand equality and justice for all.

#MadisonWI #ImmigrantsRights #PeoplesStruggles #Wisconsin #YES

During rush hour on Nov. 30, drivers honked their horns and gave the thumbs up every time the traffic light changed. Passersby stopped to take a flyer, talk and show support.

The Grand Rapids Anti-War Committee statement read:

“By claiming he will put Syrian refugees ‘on pause,’ Michigan Governor Snyder is not only threatening to violate federal law but also endangering the lives of the existing Syrian refugee population here in Michigan and all Muslims and Arab Americans.

“Thanks to Governor Snyder’s comments last week, Republican governors and presidential candidates across the country are now promoting racism, hatred and bigotry. This creates the conditions for bigots and white supremacists to harass and attack Arab Americans, Muslims and anyone else they decide to target. It reminds us how this country treated Jews fleeing German Nazism, and the disgraceful imprisonment of Japanese Americans in concentration camps.

“We Michiganders will not allow this hatred and bigotry, as this governor attempts to go rogue against federal law, UN Human Rights and common human decency. Syrians are refugees from a civil war provoked by the U.S. State Department, with arms and funding from the U.S. government.

“We invite you to come stand with the refugees and send a message to Governor Snyder. We will demand that Snyder, and all the other racist governors admit refugees, especially from war-torn Syria. If there were no U.S. wars in the Middle East, there would be no refugees.

“Come help us extend a warm Michigan welcome to Syrian refugees!”

#GrandRapidsMI #AntiwarMovement #PeoplesStruggles #Syria #ImmigrantsRights #refugees

The event began with a documentary showing of the first Chicano Moratorium, which took place on Aug. 29, 1970. David Cid, a Chicano activist from Boyle Heights, moderated the speakers panel, stating, “We are gathered here to remember the life and death of Rubén Salazar. Chicano journalist Ruben Salazar dedicated his work to chronicling the Chicano experience and the struggle for self-determination during the Chicano Movement in the late 1960s. 44 years after his assassination by the LA sheriffs on Aug. 29, 1970 at the Chicano Moratorium Against the Viet Nam War, the Chicano community still seeks justice. Salazar is a hero to our people. Salazar's enduring legacy is that Chicanos must continue to fight for equality and dignity.”

The Los Angeles County government will place a plaque honoring Ruben Salazar in Ruben Salazar Park Aug. 29.

Marisol Márquez, of the Florida group Raíces en Tampa and a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, was another speaker. She said, “Over 1000 people daily are deported; our people are being detained, their cars impounded, they are raided while in their own homes and at their workplaces. Time and time again we are told to abandon our culture, our language, our way of thinking and our fights for equality and told to integrate. We don't want to integrate! We want liberation!”

Among the other speakers were Chicano Studies professor Karina Olivo Alvarado, who is from El Salvador. Alvarado spoke to the crowd about the ripple effects of the repression against immigrants. “One of my students called me asking for help. Her mother was being abused by a boss and needed help being removed from the situation. It is imperative that we understand not only are the undocumented harmed by repression; their children are as well.”

Ingrid Villeda, the United Teachers Los Angeles South Area Chair talked about the DUI checkpoints commonly seen all over California. Currently, drivers licenses are not available to those who are undocumented, but this is quickly going to change beginning in 2015. Quotas until then are being pushed onto local police who act as an extension of the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Villeda told the crowd, “Public records we demanded from the police at one particular checkpoint showed that only two out of about 98 arrests done were for driving under the influence. The other 98 were vehicle impounds belonging to the undocumented.”

Carlos Montes a founder of the Chicano liberation organization Brown Berets and organizer with the Community Service Organization (CSO), concluded the event by reminding attendees about the importance of learning history of struggle in East Los Angeles and about the importance of organizing for migrant rights, public education and against U.S. wars.

“We are all a part of the Legalization for All Network which opposes any continued oppression against people like us. We must continue organizing and fighting for liberation. For those of you who will be in Los Angeles on the 29th, we expect to see you honoring the Chicano Moratorium's 44 year anniversary!” said Montes.

The Legalization for All Network is currently pushing Congress and President Obama to extend Deferred Action to all of the undocumented. You can sign their petition here: bit.ly/Daca4AllPetition

#LosAngelesCalifornia #LosAngelesCA #PeoplesStruggles #CarlosMontes #ChicanoMoratorium #legalizationForAll #ImmigrantsRights #L4A #MarisolMarquez

Tampa, FL – On July 31, two dozen protesters gathered outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Ybor City, demanding President Obama extend protection to incoming refugee children from Central America. The protesters stood in front of the office doors, brandishing signs and chanting, “Liberation! Not deportation!” The ICE office directs the detentions of undocumented immigrants in the Tampa Bay area.

In the past year, over 40,000 children fled violence and poverty in Central America, crossing the border into the U.S. seeking refuge. Thousands are detained and even more are deported back to their home country. President Obama is requesting $3.7 billion from Congress to pay for deporting and detaining these children.

A group named Raíces en Tampa led the event, with many other local organizations supporting, such as the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Awake Pinellas, Hondureños Unidos en Tampa and Tampa Students for a Democratic Society.

Jared Hamil of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization explained, “The U.S. has sent troops to Honduras countless times to support and defend investments in U.S. fruit corporations. In 2009 the U.S. even supported the overthrow of democratically elected president Manuel Zelaya. While the U.S. backs the interests of corporations that fuel poverty abroad, they also target the same peoples who come here to escape from that poverty. We're here to say no more detentions. No more deportations. We want protection. Protect them from being targeted. Protect them from being locked up. Protect them from being deported, and protect them from violence and poverty both here and abroad.”

Oscar Hernandez of Raíces en Tampa said “I find it hypocritical that a country that prides itself on defending human rights is willing to deport these children, condemning them to violence and even death.”

Alicia Argenal-Gazga, also with Raíces en Tampa, related, “I know what it's like to live in their fear. Having grown up in Honduras, I also lived in fear of kidnapping and gang violence. President Obama shouldn't be treating these children as criminals, they need to be given refugee status.”

Raíces en Tampa is planning to focus on ending 'ICE holds' by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff David Gee holds people for up to 48 hours, both documented and undocumented, while determining their immigration status. Nearby counties ended this controversial jailing practice. Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri recently said that he is allowing arrested immigrants who can post bail to leave jail. Pasco County and Hernando County near Tampa no longer jail immigrants simply to determine their status.

#TampaFL #ImmigrantsRights #PeoplesStruggles #Deportation #Florida #RaicesEnTampa

Los Angeles, CA – On April 8, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board (LAUSD) passed a unanimous resolution calling on President Obama to use federal administrative action to suspend any further deportations. The resolution, introduced by LAUSD board member Bennett Kayser, is part of the growing Protect Our Families Campaign that has already gotten several resolutions passed by the city councils in Los Angeles, Carson, Santa Ana and Cudahy. Similar resolutions have also been approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the City Council of Berkeley and in Chicago, Illinois.

Board Member Bennett Kayser stated, “We have a broken immigration system that is harming families and children in this school district. On their behalf, I authored this motion calling on President Obama to immediately cease the deportations that are separating parents from their children.” LAUSD is the second largest public school district in the nation, with over 650,000 students. 70% are Latino of Mexican origin. Bennett Kayser is a strong advocate of public education and has fought against attempts by the privatization movement to take over LAUSD and attack the teachers union.

A key speaker in support of the school board resolution was Los Angeles City Council Member Gil Cedillo, who spearheaded the resolution.

The members of the Protect Our Families-Save the Children Campaign include Father Richard Estrada of Jovenes Inc., Angela Sanbrano of CARECEN, Armando Vázquez-Ramos of California-México Studies Center, and Nativo Lopez of Hermandad Mexicana. They urge the public to participate and be present at future presentations to protect migrant families.

Carlos Montes was present in the crowd to show solidarity and invite all to participate in the May 1 march and rally in Los Angeles, calling for Legalization for All and to Stop the Deportations. The march starts at 4:00 p.m. at Olympic and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.

#LosAngelesCA #CarlosMontes #legalizationForAll #borderRepression #ImmigrantsRights #NoMasDeportaciones #LosAngelesUnifiedSchoolDistrictBoard

Tampa, FL – The U.S. prides itself in having a day to ‘give thanks.’ They call this, ‘Thanksgiving’ and it's supposed to be a time when the family unites and shares a home-cooked meal. This tradition, however, is not always shared by immigrant communities.

For Alicia, a member and founder of Raices en Tampa, this year she will not be celebrating Thanksgiving with her family. Alicia's family is split apart between two countries.

In the fall of 1998, Hurricane Mitch swept through the Atlantic Ocean. The rainfall that fell during Mitch's travel through Honduras flooded over 2 million homes and killed about 11,000 people. The U.S. permitted the entry of some Hondurans during this time. Among them were Alicia and her other four family members: her father, mother and one older and younger brother. They arrived in Naples, Florida that year and attempted to rebuild their lives.

Many Hondurans arriving at this time were extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS is much like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) which was given to young undocumented immigrants in June of 2012. TPS is only available for two years and those who have it must reapply, while paying hundreds of dollars for new applications while losing all of their documentation in the meantime. They can face harassment, stalking, arrests and even deportations while they wait for their renewal request for TPS to be approved.

“Sometimes when I go to renew, if the person in Naples does not know what they are doing or if they want to be nasty, they will take my license and cut it in half,” says Alicia.

Alicia's family has each had their fair share of bad experiences while in the U.S. Alicia's mother Irene was pulled over for driving without a license and the police officer threatened to jail her and have her deported. Knowing her responsibility as a mother to two minor children, Irene decided to never drive after that arrest. This quickly became a setback because, even to do a simple task like shopping for groceries, Irene had to ask someone to provide her with transportation.

“As an immigrant and one with such a temporary status, you grow up quickly and learn that the law is used to terrorize us,” says Alicia.

Irene was so afraid to drive that, in October this year, she decided to self-deport back to her native Honduras along with her youngest daughter. Irene put everything she had accumulated in 15 years up for sale. That which she did not sell she gave away to Alicia or friends and neighbors. In a week, everything this family had built with their own work, tears and struggles was only a distant memory.

“I want President Obama to know there are over 2 million deportations, now. All of this is happening without him really caring or even trying to stop them from happening. During his Thanksgiving, I hope Obama thinks about all of us undocumented immigrants who are torn apart from our families and can't share anymore meals with our families,” says Irene.

Raices en Tampa, which is group in Tampa, Florida that Alicia help found, has decided to push for a way to stop these attacks on the approximately 1.5 million undocumented immigrants in the state of Florida. So far, DREAMers Moms Orlando and United Families in Miami have endorsed the action and many others are beginning to express support.

Alicia is positive her work with Raices en Tampa will succeed. “No one deserves to be torn from their home or family for simply driving to work or going to school. We all need jobs, but how are we supposed to drive without a driver’s license? Florida should not deport anymore immigrants for driving without a license. Licenses for all now in the state of Florida!”

Raices en Tampa is collecting public support for their campaign, “Driver's Licenses for All Undocumented – Florida”. They ask that you take a picture of yourself with a sign that reads, “I support driver's licenses for all in Florida! #DL4ALLFL!” and that you email it to raicesentampa@gmail.com.

Marisol Márquez is a member of Raíces en Tampa

#TampaFL #Honduras #deportations #thanksgiving #legalizationForAll #borderRepression #DriversLicenses #ImmigrantsRights #RaicesEnTampa

Minneapolis, MN – With chants of “Si se puede!” (yes we can!) and “Obama, escucha, estamos en la lucha!” (Obama, listen, we’re in the struggle!), 3000 people marched through Minneapolis for immigrant rights on Oct. 5, a national day of action for immigrant dignity and respect. This was the largest march for immigrant rights in Minneapolis in several years. The protest began at Basilica of St. Mary Church then marched through downtown Minneapolis to Hennepin County Government Plaza (also known as People’s Plaza).

Marchers carried many different banners, signs and shirts, most of which called on Congress and President Obama to take action now to legalize all 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Many unions brought contingents to the march, including Service Employees International Union, United Food and Commercial Workers, UNITE HERE, International Union Painters and Allied Trades District Council 82 and others. Many Latino churches brought contingents as well. Over 20 buses also came from several smaller towns in greater Minnesota that have Latino immigrant communities.

A No More Deportations contingent marched with two banners and several signs demanding “No more deportations,” “Legalization for all,” and “No militarization of the border.”

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #legalizationForAll #ImmigrantsRights #L4A #DACA #UniteHere

Miami, FL – Over 2000 people marched here, April 6, demanding legalization for undocumented workers and calling for an end to the deportations of immigrants. Young and old, undocumented and documented, workers and students came together in order to push local and national policy makers, including President Obama, into immediate action.

The rally included members of Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), SEIU, UNITE HERE, Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), Florida Immigrant Youth Network, and Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami (Haitian Women of Miami). These groups are among dozens calling for Florida's roughly 1 million undocumented workers to be treated fairly

The march began at noon in Jose Marti Park, located at the center of Little Havana in Miami. Leaders took to the stage and fired up the crowd with speeches directed toward President Obama and Florida Senator Marco Rubio ®, demanding that they “Say yes!” to immigrant rights.

Large numbers of undocumented Haitian and Central Americans joined the protest. Many are service workers in Miami or farm workers throughout Florida. These workers attended the rally seeking justice for their families and equal treatment in their workplace. Throughout the event, activists chanted and gave speeches in Spanish, Haitian Creole and English. In Haitian Creole, the crowd shouted, “Rezidans, wi! Depòtasyon, non!” Meaning, “Residence, yes! Deportation, no!”

Local leaders Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and Catholic Archbishop Thomas Wenski spoke out for immigrant justice. Archbishop Wenski, addressing the crowd in Spanish and Haitian Creole, pointed out that most of those in attendance were members of his parish. He declared that the government must not simply pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill, but a “just one.”

Several immigrants spoke about their families being separated due to current immigration policies. A tear-filled plea from a young immigrant from Nicaragua gripped the crowd. Marbelis Soza explained how her brother was seized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents (ICE) and is currently being detained. He will be the fourth member of her family to be deported.

Raina Laham, an organizer with People's Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR), was at the rally holding a sign that read, “Immigrants in, drones out,” as part of an anti-drone campaign in South Florida. “Not only are drones being used to kill innocents abroad,” Laham said, “but they also threaten civil liberties and lives at home by turning our borders into war zones.” Predator drones are currently being used by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency — largely along the southwestern border.

After an hour at the park, the activists began a 20-block march through the heart of Downtown Miami holding signs that read: “Keep families together,” “Undocumented and unafraid,” and “We all have a dream.” As the massive group took to the streets, cars honked in approval and locals cheered from their windows and storefronts. An hour later, the marchers arrived at the Torch of Friendship in Downtown Miami, where a stage was set up and Afro-Caribbean band Bachaco played.

As the rally drew to a close and the last speeches delivered, the activists in attendance left ready to continue the struggle for immigrant rights. Some groups are travelling to Washington D.C. for a national demonstration for immigrant justice on April 10.

#MiamiFL #ImmigrantsRights #ImmigrationAndCustomsEnforcementICE #drones #legalizationForAll #borderRepression

San José, CA – On Jan. 29, one day after a group of eight U.S. Senators announced their bipartisan proposal for immigration reform, President Obama made his own proposal. While the President’s proposal was better than the bipartisan Senate proposal in several areas, in particular calling for recognition of same-sex partners of U.S. citizens or legal residents who are seeking legal residency; overall it offered the same approach of harsh treatment of the undocumented and a pro-business approach.

President Obama, like the eight senators, used language that called for more militarization of the border and suggesting that the undocumented are potential criminals and terrorists. One improvement is that the President’s proposal does not have an explicit “enforcement first” policy that could postpone legalization forever.

The president’s proposal, like the Senate's bipartisan proposal, also calls for more workplace enforcement. It also explicitly calls for a new Social Security card that comes close to being a national I.D. card.

In terms of legalization, the president and the senators are similar in terms of putting up many obstacles to legalization. One improvement is that the president’s proposal does not require employment to become a legal resident. However, the president’s proposal does require college or military service for faster legalization of undocumented who came as children. But with only about one of three Latino youth attending college, the other two-thirds will feel pressure to join the military in order to legalize and be forced into U.S. military intervention and wars abroad.

The president’s proposal does call for a temporary increase and more flexibility in family reunification visas to try to shorten the waiting lists. But he also calls for a permanent increase in employment visas and eliminating all country caps. Why not do the same for family visas, when it is clear that a long term reduction in undocumented immigration can only happen if there is a permanent increase in family reunification visas?

Last, but not least, there is no mention of stopping deportations now that a legalization proposal is under discussion. The president could have the power to slow or even stop the record levels of deportations that are breaking up families and sowing fear, especially in Chicano, Mexicano and Central American communities.

#SanJoséCA #ImmigrantsRights #militaryRecruitment #Deportation #PresidentObama #immigrationReform

Marisol Marquez of Students Working for Equal Rights states, “While undocumented students working tirelessly to pursue a higher education are being reported, the rich Republicans continue getting richer. The Republicans rejoice in their racism when undocumented students keep dying while fighting the rich man's war. While Deferred Action applications are being filled by hopeful immigrants, the rich try scamming them out of thousands of dollars with the promise of immediate citizenship.”

“The City of Tampa will be hosting the RNC, August 27. There, the richest bigots will gather to proclaim continued efforts to push their agenda that is filled with racism. At the Coalition to March on the RNC rally, we will be demanding equality along with our other four demands: good jobs, health care, affordable education and peace,” Marisol concluded.

One of the most prominent immigrant rights leaders in the county, Carlos Montes of the South California Immigration Coalition, will be traveling from Los Angeles to speak at the protest. “The immigrant rights movement is watching what happens in Tampa,” states Montes. “With legislation like SB1070 in Arizona, we know that the Republican Party has been waging a war on immigrants. I am proud to stand with the Coalition to March on the RNC.”

The August 27 RNC protest will begin with a 10:00 a.m. rally at Perry Harvey Sr. Park, located at 1200 N. Orange Ave in Tampa, FL. After speakers greet the crowd, demonstrators will join the permitted march to the Tampa Bay Times Forum – the site of the RNC – around noon.

#TampaFL #ImmigrantRights #ImmigrantsRights #CarlosMontes #2012RepublicanNationalConvention #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNC #RepublicanNationalConvention2012