As mentioned in yesterday's mid-day open thread, there is going to be a
on Monday, April 10.
Some of you might be saying, what starts as a mid-day open thread stays as a mid-day open thread. I will ignore you folks, because Monday's protests merit a few diaries, not just a mention in an open thread.
Monday's events are going to be gigantic. There are events in over 100 cities in 45 states. Mainstream media has barely reported on this upcoming nationwide event but non-English language radio has been blaring the news hourly across America. I thought that DailyKos readers deserve to know that hundreds of thousands of folks will be demonstrating across the country for immigrant justice.
Organizers for progressive causes everywhere should be watching the immigrant rights movement. As I mentioned after the big LA rally last month, there is a thing or two to learn from the movement.
For Immediate Release Contacts: Germonique Jones, 202-494-9876
Friday, April 7, 2006 Cheryl Aguilar, 202-360-7867
Hard-Right Senators Kill Progress on Immigration Reform
Millions Set to March on Monday, April 10 Demanding
Real, Comprehensive and Fair Immigration Reform
Over 100 Cities in 45 States to Rally for Immigrant Justice
Washington, D.C. - Today, the media reports that a moderate but flawed Senate compromise was killed by some conservative Republican Senators in favor of the hard-right approach that passed the House in December. When Members of Congress return home on Monday, April 10, they will be greeted by millions rallying against such draconian measures and for positive immigration reform. Marches, rallies and other activities are planned in over 100 cities in 45 states. See www.April10.org for details.
Statement of Deepak Bhargava, Executive Director - Center for Community Change:
"The passage of H.R. 4437 has unleashed an unprecedented movement in favor of immigrant justice and against reactionary proposals that would worsen America's already broken immigration system. Immigrant communities and allies will not be satisfied with any legislation that violates our principles for fair immigration reform. Today's news that some Republican Senators have killed progress on immigration reform is sure to further outrage millions.
The nationwide people-led movement for immigrant justice has changed the immigration debate in Washington. Two months ago, the political climate in Washington, DC would have made talk of progress on immigration reform unthinkable. Despite the fact that some Republican Senators have clearly bowed to pressure from an angry anti-immigrant minority, I am hopeful that they will find themselves on the wrong side of history and change course. As Governor Pete Wilson and Republicans in California learned, there is a political price to pay for this mistake.
On April 10, this grassroots movement will flex its muscle as millions speak out in 45 states and more than 100 cities. Everyday Americans, immigrant communities, faith leaders, activists from the labor, civil rights and student movements and businesses will demand real, comprehensive immigration reform. Under the banner of "We are America," millions will declare that we are unwavering in our demand for reform that:
· provides a pathway towards earned citizenship for all immigrants living in America today,
· unites families separated because of America's broken immigration system,
· upholds the human rights and civil liberties of everyone living in America,
· ensures workplace protections for all, and
· allows immigrant youth a clear shot at the American dream.
The immigrant community will not tolerate legislation that would separate families and transfer vast amounts of power from the courts to law enforcement agencies. Provisions to arrest and deport millions and that would criminalize legal immigrants and citizens, cross the lines of race, faith and legal status - and threaten core American values that we all cherish.
The immigrant rights movement is part of America's long history of struggle for racial and economic justice. Today, Arab, Muslim, and South Asian communities are subject to racial profiling and civil rights violations that African-American and Latino communities have faced throughout our history. The protection of civil rights for all is a key test of any immigration reform legislation.
Immigrant youth have played a vital role in awakening the conscience of our nation. It is simply unconscionable to deport young immigrants from the country they love to nations they never knew. In a hopeful sign of progress, their efforts have been rewarded this week by the introduction of the DREAM Act in the House. The DREAM act was also recently approved by the Senate Judiciary as the movement for immigrant justice began to sweep the nation.
The community-led movement for immigrant justice is unwavering in our demand that immigration reform meet our basic principles. This movement has just begun and I am confident that it will succeed, whether it happens in 2006 or if it takes until 2008. Immigrant communities and allies are marching for more than immigrant rights. We are marching to redeem the promise of America and make the American dream a reality for everyone."
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