Media Advisory
April 28,2008
FAIR –PWC Press Conference Held April 26 for LA May 1 Mass Action
Los Angeles- In response to nationally coordinated raids conducted by Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) and the pressing problems of immigration by more than 12 million immigrants including 1.5 million Filipinos in the U,S, the Filipino Americans for Immigration Reform (FAIR) and the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) held a Press Conference at the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) on April 26, 2008 in preparation for the May 1 Rally Immigrant Workers Day March-Rally in downtown Los Angeles.
The FAIR press conference JUSTICE FOR IMMIGRANTS was well attended by different immigrant rights, youth, student,World War II veterans and community advocates.
Some of the speakers in the press conference were Paolo Espiritu: FAIR convemor; Aquilina Soriano Versoza: PWC Executive Director; Arturo Garcia: JFAV and AJLPP deputy coordinator :Jollene Levid: Gabriela Network organizer; Tracy Lachica Buenavista: Assistant Professor Dept. of Asian American Studies, Cal State Northridge; Carmina Ocampo: UCLA Asian Pacific Islander Law Student Associatio; Anna Sterling: UCLA Samahang Pilipino at UCLA; Nimual A. Ornillo: USC Troy Philippines president; Joel Baustita: March 25th Coalition and MIWON.
Impressive Battery of Speakers
Aquilina Soriano of PWC explained the economic benefits of legalization and said: there is much benefits in legalization of illegal immigrants as Mayor Villaraigosa and the LA Chamber of Commerce advocates than the ICE raids”
Arturo Garcia. Of JFAV and AJLPP, thanked everybody for their support for the passage of the Veterans equity bill in the US Senate. He also compared the influx of 14 million immigrants form Europe form 1890 to 1914 and the persecution of 12 million illegal immigrants today. Is this not then ugly face of racism?” Garcia asked.
While Jollene Levid, GABRIELA Network-USA organizer explained majority of the immigrants are women. Most Filipina workers are trafficked or exploited, this is an issue we must not forget.” Levid exclaimed.
Tracy Buenavista and Carmina Ocampo explained the problems of immigrant students who suffered Ocampo narrated her problems while studying in UCLA. “Even if you have a green card, you can still be deported." .” Ocampo explained.
Anna Sterling speaking for Samahang Pilipino of UCLA and Limual Ornillo of Troy Phil of USC that youth and student are conscious of immigrant issues especially of Filipinos and “will mobilize and bring out more people for the May Day rally.” Paolo Espiritu, FAIR convenor acted as the press conference moderator.
All Out for May 1 in Los Angeles
The FAIR contingent composed of youth students, workers and veterans will march from Historic Filipinotown from PWC on May 1 at 12:00 PM and meet with the MIWON and march from Macarthur Park.
The April 7 Coalition with ANSWER-LA will also march with the March 25th Coalition from Olympic/Broadway St. on May 1. They will demand a STOP TO ICE RAIDS. FULL RIGHTS FOR IMMIGRANTS and FAMILY REUNIFICATION now!
All the marching contingents will converge on 5th and Broadway Sts. To march to the Los Angeles civic center in front of the Los Angeles City Hall.
For more information contact jfav at (213)241-0995 or email@
cdir_usa@yahoo.com.