EPCC NEWS

April 26, 2011

ALL OUT ON MAY 1st in LA, FIGHT FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

Los Angeles—Immigrants all of nationalities under attack, what should we do? Rise up, Fight Back!

The Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) is calling all immigrants and their advocates in Los Angeles to mobilize and hit the streets of LA on May 1.

For the EPCC --May 1, International Workers' Day, marks the fifth anniversary of the historic nationwide immigrant workers’ strike. On that day, millions upon millions of immigrant workers—documented and undocumented—flooded the streets of Los Angeles with millions of their supporters also in small towns and large cities demanding respect for all workers.

March for Immigrant Rights

These mammoth demonstrations constituted the largest collective protest in U.S. history. The struggle stopped a particularly odious piece of anti-immigrant legislation—the "Sensenbrenner" bill—in its tracks.

Millions came out into the streets to fight in their own defense. They were not brought out by the Democrats, who fear mass mobilization, and who worked quickly to try to control the movement's energy. Electoral promises played a big role in subduing the immigrant rights movement. A genuine movement fighting for real change does not have to rely on the Democratic leadership or the White House. The only way we can win anything is in the streets.

Black president, Same Oppression

Attempts to promote an anti-immigrant hysteria continue under the Obama administration since 2009 as reactionary politicians propose legislation attacking undocumented workers and their families.

There are more than 12 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States who suffered similar but more drastic oppression. The number of deportations has increased since Obama came to office in January 2009. Last year set a record of nearly 400,000 deportations, many more than during George W. Bush’s presidency.

In an effort to divide the working class as the economic crisis drags on, many state legislatures have proposed draconian anti-immigrant bills. For example, legislators from the states of Indiana, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and South Dakota have proposed bills that criminalize undocumented workers. It is an assault that uses scapegoating and violence against immigrants to serve the capitalists’ needs.

The Utah state legislature recently passed a package of immigration bills that includes a measure similar to Arizona's SB 1070—currently on hold due to legal challenges—allowing police officers to check immigration status during arrests. The package also includes a “guest worker” measure that would give undocumented workers a permit to live and work in Utah. On April 14, Georgia passed a law similar to SB 1070.

Many reactionary politicians are also attacking the validity of birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution under the 14th Amendment. It was passed after the Civil War to overturn the Black Codes used by southern states to virtually re-enslave freed African Americans. It was worded and designed specifically to make citizenship and other civil rights a matter of federal protection. It provided the legal framework for the Civil Rights movement to overthrow Jim Crow segregation a century later.

The bigots ridiculously claim that the language of the 14th Amendment does not apply to undocumented immigrants because they remain "subject to the jurisdiction" of their home countries. Wrapping their fascistic arguments in the American flag, they insist that the intent of the 14th Amendment was only to cover those who have sworn “allegiance” to the United States. By definition, they say, children born to “illegal aliens” cannot qualify.

Militarization of the Border,Broken Promises

The Obama administration also stationed additional National Guard troops along the border and has increased funding for high-tech military equipment, including drones. Immigrants may be taking more out-of-the-way and dangerous routes to avoid the increased military presence. There has been a significant increase of deaths for migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.

Instead of keeping his promises of comprehensive immigration reform, Obama continues to attack undocumented workers and their families. The administration continues to deport students as the Senate recently rejected the Dream Act. The proposed law would have allowed many children of undocumented workers to become citizens, which would be especially beneficial to students struggling to attain higher education.

Only a resurgence of the immigrant rights struggle has the potential to achieve the goals of justice and equality. No capitalist politician—Democrat or Republican—will pass laws ensuring full rights for all immigrants until the pressure from the movement becomes unbearable for the ruling class. We must continue to raise the banner of legalization and full rights for all immigrants.

MOBILIZE FOR MAY 1st, FIGHT FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS!

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