Duane Campbell
Over 1,500 marchers
from around California descended on the Capitol on Wednesday March 15, seeking to pass SB 54: The California Values
Act which would significantly prohibit local law enforcement from coordination
with federal immigration agents. While
many cities and counties have sanctuary policies, this bill would make it a state law and shield many immigrants
from mass deportation efforts of the federal authorities. The bill is strongly
opposed by the Association of County Sheriffs who manage county jails and
receive federal funds for their cooperation.
The massive
demonstration on Wednesday was organized primarily by PICO of California and
supported by immigrant rights organizations up and down the state. The events began at the Cathedral of the
Blessed Sacramento in Sacramento, and then marchers proceeded to the Capitol to
hear a rousing support speech from the President of the California Senate Kevin
de León.
PICO is a structured multi racial organizing project with
roughly equal participation and leadership from African American, Mexican,
Latino, and Anglo religious traditions.
After singing civil rights songs in English and Spanish, and
hearing speeches, the crowd entered to Capitol chanting One People: One
Fight. Delegations to legislative office
insisted on the passage of SB 54, and SB 6 that would provide funds for legal
defense of immigrants, as well as SB 31, the Religious Freedom Act which would
prohibit any state agency from collecting information on religious affiliation
and sharing that federal authorities – such as in creating a Muslim list.
DSA Honorary Chair Dolores Huerta participated in the rally
and Dolores Delgado Campbell of DSA’s
Immigrant Rights Committee was interviewed by Univision at the event.
For more information on the Immigrant Rights Committee, send
an email to
antiracism@dsausa.org
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