Associated Press: Dozens of protesters gathered in New Orleans on Tuesday to rally support for people who claim they have been mistreated by immigration officials and are facing deportation.
Roughly 100 people marched from a park near the French Quarter to City Hall, where a brass band played as they chanted in Spanish and English. At the park, protesters held signs that read, "Right to Remain," ''We Are Not Criminals" and "Undocumented and Unafraid."
The May Day rally's organizers claim a group of 32 Southern labor organizers and civil rights advocates have been unfairly targeted for deportation after standing up to abusive employers and law enforcement.
"When employers can call (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) when they're in a labor dispute, then workers have no way of accessing their rights or organizing," said Jacob Horwitz, one of the event's organizers.
The New Orleans Workers' Center for Racial Justice and the Congress of Day Laborers say they are launching a campaign to fight these deportation cases and push for reforms in regional enforcement of immigration laws.
"It's rare to find people who have everything to lose and are still eager and willing to stand up for what's right," Horwitz said of the 32 workers who advocates are calling the "Southern 32."
Roughly 100 people marched from a park near the French Quarter to City Hall, where a brass band played as they chanted in Spanish and English. At the park, protesters held signs that read, "Right to Remain," ''We Are Not Criminals" and "Undocumented and Unafraid."
The May Day rally's organizers claim a group of 32 Southern labor organizers and civil rights advocates have been unfairly targeted for deportation after standing up to abusive employers and law enforcement.
"When employers can call (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) when they're in a labor dispute, then workers have no way of accessing their rights or organizing," said Jacob Horwitz, one of the event's organizers.
The New Orleans Workers' Center for Racial Justice and the Congress of Day Laborers say they are launching a campaign to fight these deportation cases and push for reforms in regional enforcement of immigration laws.
"It's rare to find people who have everything to lose and are still eager and willing to stand up for what's right," Horwitz said of the 32 workers who advocates are calling the "Southern 32."
No comments:
Post a Comment