On August 18, 2001, More than 300 immigrant joined

MIWON to present workers’ platform on legalization and

workers’ rights!



Los Angeles, CA

On August 18, 2001 at the First Unitarian Church of

Los Angeles during a Town Hall meeting, more than 300

immigrant workers and supporters said ¡Presente!, to

MIWON workers’ platform presentation. A panel of 15

elected officials from City, State, and Federal local

elected officials, accompanied by church and labor

leaders were present to hear workers testimonies and

to receive a copy of the platform. All of them were

asked to respond, if they support the MIWON workers’

platform, and all of them expressed support and signed

to it, with the exemption of Major Hahn, who was not

present.

“This is a major victory”, said one of the many day

laborers present at the Town Hall, “now let’s see what

can really change” he said. The platform included a

call for legalization to all workers and their

families, regardless of country of origin, access to

driver’s license and access to higher education in

California for undocumented students, among other

demands.

The Town Hall took place in a 90-degree temperature;

place almost full to capacity, and with chants, songs

and a beautiful mural, done by workers led by Pilipino

artist Papo De Asis.

The Town Hall included testimonies from workers of

different low-wage industries as well as different

countries. A Day Laborer, a Domestic Worker, a Garment

Worker all from Latin America, a Pilipino factory

worker, and a Korean restaurant worker, gave

testimonies about their lives and difficulties they

must endure when working on those abusive and

exploitative industries. A high school student joined

them by providing with a heart breaking testimony

about her inability to continue her education because

of lack of documents.

Everyone left with a high expectation that the only

way to get a legalization program will be through

organizing and action, and with the satisfaction that

local and state elected officials committed or

re-committed themselves to continue the struggle for

low-wage immigrant workers and their families.