EPCC News

March 14, 2009

HUNDREDS ATTENDS HEARINGS ON IMMIGRATION REFORM IN LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles- Familias Unidas, Jamas Cerra Vencidos! (Familes United Can never be defeated)

Hundreds of immigrants and advocates packed the old La Placita Olvera Church to hear testimonies from people who are affected by the broken immigration laws of the US and attend a congressional hearing on immigration reform law.

Present at the hearings were Assistant Speaker Congressman Xavier Becerra, Congresswomen Grace Napolitan0, Lucille Royal-Allard and Diane Watson. They were members of the Latino and Black Caucus. They also presented people from their district who spoke on their concerns on immigration reform.

Those who spoke at the hearings were Specialist Jack Barrios from Guatemala, Mrs. Quentanilla, Fernando Segovia and an Indian-American citizen. US Army men Jack Barrios, a veterans of Iraq War told the crowd about the impending removal of his wife from Guatemala.

Fernado Segovia, a high school senior from Mexico and told the crowd he is worried about his parents who will be deported to Mexico. He wanted to be a doctor in the future and preferred to stay in the United States.

Mrs Quentanilla from Becerra’s district told the crowd of her predicament and her family about to be deported because of the broken immigration law.

A full force of interfaith persons led by Fr. Richard Estrada led the services preceding the hearings. Fr. Estrada also read a statement of the Mexican government addressed to Speaker Nancy Pelosi demanding a Stop to Ice Raids and a demand for reforms for immigration in the US Congress.

The inter faith group and immigration groups like People’s CORE, CDIR, PWC, EPCC and MIWON who sponsored the event demanded a Comprehensive and Humane Immigration laws for all immigrants.

The Filipinos and Asians were also represented in the mostly Latino crowd around the church. The hearing is one of the 17 hearings being conducted in the whole country about immigration reform.

There will be a mass mobilization on immigration reform on April 4 at downtown Los Angeles. It will start at the Olympic.Broadway Sts. at 11:00 in the morning. It will lead by the April 7 Coalition.

Why does this group always post photos from some event other than the one they are reporting? Look at the photo it says JUN 24 2007 on it. WTF

It really makes one question the entire article.