seattle indymedia center

 

The demonstration was organized by El Comite Pro-Amnistia General y Justicia Social (The Committee for General Amnesty and Social Justice). It was sponsored by a host of organizations — including immigrant-advocacy groups, human-rights organizations, student groups, churches, and labor.

The theme of the event was "We are not undocumented. We are not illegal. We are workers." Many of this year's speeches focused on the growing outrage over how some police and other local officials treat immigrants. During the pre-march rally, Archbishop Alex Brunett told the crowd that the Catholic Church "respects the law" but "cannot ignore the human needs of immigrant workers and their families when the law fails to protect their basic human rights." Archbishop Brunett told immigrant workers "You are welcome in our parishes, our schools, our hospitals and our social services. Our hospitality does not require documents."

The rally was followed by a march from Judkins Park to the Seattle Center. Aztec dancers wearing pheasant-feather headdresses led the march. A wide range of people marched, including many who had marched earlier in the ILWU march. A group of University of Washington students joined the march, making their way via bikes and buses. The group included members of S.L.A.P. (Student Labor Action Project) and MEChA, (a Chicano activist group organized for educational access for immigrants and immigrant rights). At the Seattle Center, the Blue Scholars gave a free concert, and Aztec dancers performed.

To encourage people to attend both events, the Backbone Campaign, America in Solidarity, and SNOW Coalition and CISPES provided a "We're All In This Together - Bridge Building Hospitaliy Event" from 2-5 p.m. at the Seattle Labor Temple. The event included music by Hot Cargo as well as snacks and a place to rest their feet before joining a sidewalk feeder procession.

During the past six months, 3,314 immigrants from Washington, Oregon and Alaska have been deported or returned voluntarily to their native country, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Nationally, nearly 120,000 individuals during that period have been removed from the U.S. Many of these people have family members -- often children who are American citizens -- who are left behind.

Today's immigration policies encourage a steady stream of immigrants to work in the nation's factories, fields, and offices. Multinational corporations use immigrants to drive down wages and benefits. When these workers realize that they are being exploited, their vulnerable legal status is used against them. Labor is demanding that wages be determined by the work done, not by the worker's immigration status.

Although comprehensive immigration reform isn't on the immediate horizon, the marchers were resolute, many chanting "Sí, se puede!" ("Yes, we can!") as they marched through the streets of Seattle.