PAHAYAG SA MIDYA
Abril 16, 2006

Kontak: Jack Vergara (213) 241-0995

7,000 Ang Lumahok

Martsa-Rali ng mga Kabataan-Estudyante sa
Los Angeles, Matagumpay!

Los Angeles, California – Ganap na Karapatan Para sa Lahat ng Imigrante! Ipagpatuloy ang Pakikibaka sa Ngalan ni Anthony!

Muling lumabas sa kalsada ang may humigit-kumulang na 7,000 kabataan-estudyante mula sa iba’t-ibang nasyunalidad upang ipakita ang kanilang pakikiisa sa pakikibaka ng mga imigrante para ipagtanggol ang kanilang karapatang mabuhay at magtrabaho sa Amerika.

Nagsimula ang martsa sa Olympic at Broadway sa gilid ng City Hall kung saan ginawa ang isang maikling programa. Doon nagsalita rin ang dalawang State Senador na sina Gil Cedillo at Gloria Romero.

Ang rali ay itinaguyod ng Koalisyong ng mga Estudyante sa Timog California na binubuo ng iba’t ibang organisasyong estudyante mula sa mataas na paaralan, kolehiyo, unibersidad at mga organisasyong imigrante kabilang mga tagasuporta.

Kinatawan ng People’s CORE at Kabataang maka-Bayan (KmB) ang komunidad ng Pilipino sa martsang ito. Dala ang bandila ng AJLPP at ng KmB, nagmartsa ang mga kabataan sa nasabing aksyong masa.

Tulad ng dati, napuno ang kalsada ng mga bandila ng iba’t ibang bansa, kabilang ang bandila ng Pilipinas. Naging dagat ng mga plakard at mga malalaking istrimer na may iba’t ibang slogan, Natigib din ang paligid ng mga tugtog, indak ng tambol, malalakas na ihip ng mga pakakak na gawa ng kabibe, sirena at mga trumpeta at ng mga malalakas na sigaw ng: Si, Se Puede, Amnestia! Namutiktik din ang martsa sa dami ng plakard ng ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) – Los Angeles na nanawagan para sa amnestiya at ganap na kalayaan para sa lahat ng migrante.

Ang rali-martsa ay paghahanda para sa mas malaki at mas malawak na boykot – isang araw na walang pasok, walang pamimili at magbebenta sa buong bansa para ipakita ang lakas ng bayan laban sa pambansang paniniil ng mga rasistang naghaharing uri sa Mayo 1.

Muling magkakaroon ng isang malaking martsa sa Mayo 1 sa Los Angeles upang ipagdiwang ang Pandigdigang Araw ng mga Manggagawa, isang tradisyon na nagsimula noong Mayo 1, 2001 sa Los Angeles. Kalahok na ang CDIR at ang People’s CORE maging ang KmB mula nang kanyang pagtatag sa mga martsa at raling ito mula pa noong 1997. #

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COALITION IN DEFENSE OF IMMIGRANT RIGHTS (CDIR)
Los Angeles, California

PRESS STATEMENT
April 16, 2006

Contact: Jack Vergara (213) 241-0995


7,000 Participate


March-Rally of the Youth-Students in
Los Angeles, A Success!


Los Angeles, California – Full Rights for All Immigrants! Continue the Struggle in Anthony’s Name!

Approximately 7,000 youth-students from various nationalities came out into the streets once again to demonstrate their solidarity with the struggle of immigrants to defend their right to live and to work in America.

The march began at the corner of Olympic and Broadway along the side of City Hall where a short program took place. There, two State Senators, Gil Cedillo and Gloria Romero, also spoke.

The rally was supported by the Coalition of Students in Southern California which consists of different student organizations from the high schools, colleges, universities and immigrant organizations among the supporters.

The People’s CORE (People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment) and the Kabataang maka-Bayan (KmB – Pro-People Youth) represented the Filipino community in this march. Carrying the banners of the Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP) and the KmB, the Filipino youth marched in the said mass action.

As before, the streets were filled with the flags of various countries, including that of the Philippines. The streets became a sea of placards and large streamers with different slogans. The surroundings were also filled with music, the beating of drums, the blares of sirens and trumpets, and loud cries of Si Se Puede, Amnestia! (Amnesty, We Can Do It!) The march was replete with the placards of ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) – Los Angeles, calling for amnesty and full freedom for all immigrants.

The march-rally is in preparation for an even bigger and more extensive boycott – one day of no work, selling or buying throughout the country to demonstrate the people’s strength against the national repression of the racist ruling classes on May 1.

There will be a big march once more on May 1 in Los Angeles to celebrate International Labor Day, a tradition which began on May 1, 2001 in Los Angeles. The Coalition in Defense of Immigrant Rights (CDIR), the People’s CORE, and since its founding, also the KmB, have all participated in these marches and rallies as early as 1997. #