Hoy Marchamos. Mañana Votamos

Challenging the Criminalization of

Immigrants in the Comprehensive

Immigration Reform Proposals:

A Human Rights Perspective.

Tues. April 16, 2013

11:00 Am. – 2 PM.

Redwood Room. University Union

CSU-Sacramento.

Free.

Sponsored by the Serna Center, DSA, The Progressive Alliance, LACLAA, Union Civica Primero de Mayo, Chican@Latin@ Faculty and Staff,  and others.

I do not know why this announcement has been showing up as blocked.

Information.  http://progressiveforum07.blogspot.com

This is a story the Sacramento Bee did not cover Thursday.  - The local connection.

Tens of thousands of immigrants and their allies marched Wednesday in a coordinated series of protest demanding that Congress approve new, comprehensive immigration reform for the 11 million immigrants currently living in the U.S.

Support rallies were held in cities and towns across the nation- including Sacramento.  In Sacramento Yvonne Walker, head of the California SEIU (see photo) , and Bill Camp of the Sacramento Central Labor Council , Phil Serna Sacramento County Supervisor  and local leaders held a rally at the Federal Building to insist on political action from Congress.

Note: the Bee does not cover items because they have laid off many of their reporters.

"We won't win immigration reform just coming to Washington. We need to walk the streets all over the country," said Ben Monterroso to CBS news in Washington.  He is  national director of civic participation of the Service Employees International Union, which represents nurses and lower-wage employees including janitors and child care workers.

In Sacramento Yvonne Walker, head of the California SEIU (see photo) , and Bill Camp of the Sacramento Central Labor Council , Phil Serna Sacramento County Supervisor  and local leaders held a rally at the Federal Building to insist on political action from Congress.

Legalizing the status of all immigrant workers and their families, as well as providing for a  road to citizenship, embodies basic democratic  principles. First, those who are governed by the laws of a democratic society should have an equal say in the making of such laws. Second, all those who contribute meaningful labor to a democratic society, who care for our elderly, our children and our disabled, deserve full membership in our society.  Immigrant workers cannot fight for rights on the job and against their exploitation by employers without having full legal status, political rights and a road to citizenship. Threats of deportation for undocumented workers, as well as second-class status in guest worker programs,  restrict the capacity of all workers to organize. These policies create a new form of indentured servitude opposed by organized labor as any worker fired by their employer can be immediately deported.

Tens of thousands of immigrants from around the country joined allies from the labor movement and beyond to "Rally for Citizenship" Wednesday in Washington, D.C. The demonstrators urged Congress to overhaul the nation’s immigration laws and provide a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented residents. Among those who came to push for reform were farm workers from California and house cleaners from Alabama. They were joined by youth activists brought to the country by their parents, only to struggle to attend college or find work after graduating from high school because of their undocumented status.