PRESS RELEASE: May Day March 2013 in Seattle

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 2, 2013

 

Contact: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social and the May 1st Action Coalition,

ph: 206.650.2106, em:  info@elcomitewa.org, Twitter Tag: #M1SEA.

 

Thousands of Demonstrators take part in the 13th Annual May Day March & Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.

March focus was to voice community concerns regarding the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill proposed by the “gang of eight.”

 

SEATTLE – Thousands demonstrators took to the streets of Seattle to participate in the 13th Annual May Day March & Rally for Workers and Immigrant Right. The events began at Judkins Park at 1:00 p.m., with a Rally that hosted speakers from the local faith-based organizations in the Seattle area. Speakers represented several denominations and faith communities, which then filed westbound, on Lane Street to start the March at 3:00 pm.

 

March participant, Alma Gutierrez noted, “we’re here for our families. It is a shame that our communities are divided by raids and repression with absolute impunity.” Others echoed similar concerns as yearly deportations have now exceeded more than 390,000 in recent years. Organizers noted that it is insulting that the most recent Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill is still nebulous on several details, save for the enforcement mechanisms.

 

According to Juan Jose Bocanegra, “It’s like the ‘good, the bad, and the ugly.’ We want to keep the good, we want to change the bad, and we want to get rid of the ugly.”

 

The procession was led by the Ce Atl Tonalli Aztec Dance Group that helped pace the march from 20th and Jackson Streets, to the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle. The march ended with a program that included speakers from different segments of the community. They spoke on how current immigration law impacts youth, families, LGBTQ, women, workers, and others.

Carlos Padilla, an organizer with  the  Washington  DREAM Act  Coalition  mentioned, “I had to come out of the closet as undocumented…later, I came out of the closet   as gay. I am an undocuqueer youth. All our movements all our concerns are  one. We are a community that seeks justice for all.”

 

Bocanegra reflected on the day’s activities, “Our message has been clear throughout the day. I keep getting asked if there was anxiety  before the march. All we can do is prepare for what we need to do to ensure the march serves to demonstrate our unified message. Fact of the matter is that unfortunately, last years events are the central focus for many news agencies. Somehow, 15 minutes of property destruction at a separate event are deemed  more important than the human crisis we’ve seen over the last 26 years with families being separated, workers being exploited, and people being held in the most inhumane  conditions at private, unregulated Detention Centers.”

 

In spite of adverse media reporting the march went off without a hitch. Demonstrators came from Auburn, Tacoma, Bellingham, and some as far as Yakima. The march also benefited from a strong youth presence with one contingent organized by local high school students, and another arriving from the local colleges and universities. As legislation is debated locally as well as nationally, participants made it clear that there is a need to continue the pressure for humane reform, and the right of all members of the community to live and work without fear. 

 

For more information, contact the following: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social and the May 1st Action Coalition, ph: 206.650.2106, em:  info@elcomitewa.org, Twitter Tag: #M1SEA.

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 3, 2013

 

Contact: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social and the May 1st Action Coalition,
ph: 206.650.2106 em:  info@elcomitewa.org Twitter Tag: #SeattleMay1st2013

 

Immigrant Rights Activists to hold a Rally for Humane Immigration Reform on April 10, 2013 at the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building.

 

SEATTLE –  El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social and the May 1st Action Coalition will hold a rally to demand a just and humane Immigration Reform at the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in Downtown Seattle on Wednesday, April 10th, 2013. . Event details:

 

What: Rally to Demand a Just and Humane Immigration Reform.

Who: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social and the May 1st Action Coalition, and other members of Seattle’s Social Justice community.

When: 3:00 -6:00 p.m., Wednesday April 10th, 2013.

Where: The Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in Downtown Seattle (915 2^nd Ave)

 

Background

Over the last several weeks, Immigration Reform has once again become a central concern nationally and has led to talks in congress about finally addressing the issue. Noticeably absent in the proposals and talking points pushed forth in the Senate and House of Representatives, is a community-oriented discourse. As politicians debate the topic, the immigrant community continues bearing the brunt of institutional neglect locally and nationally with mass deportations, police harassment, violation of basic human rights, and perpetuation of xenophobia by opportunistic politicians. This rally hopes to continue to vocalize the concerns the local communities have with regard to this matter and to help build for the annual May Day March on May 1^st in Seattle.

 

For more information, contact the following: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social and the May 1st Action Coalition,206.650.2106  info@elcomitewa.org, Twitter Tag: #SeattleMay1st2013

 

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El Comité Responds to the United States Supreme Court Ruling on Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant SB 1070 Legislation

MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release: Thursday June 28, 2012

Contact: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social, 206.324.6044/253.347.4229.  info@elcomitewa.org

El Comité Responds to the United States Supreme Court Ruling on Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant SB 1070 Legislation

 

SEATTLE - El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria y Justicia Social views the United States Supreme Court ruling on Arizona’s SB 1070 as a failure on part of our judicial branch to protect the basic rights of immigrants and people of color from harassment and racial profiling. On the morning of Monday, June 25^th 2012, the Supreme Court passed down its ruling on the aforementioned, contentious bill. In a 5-3 decision the court ruled that three of the key provisions were unconstitutional, save for the provision that allows for police in Arizona to stop and ask documentation from people presumed to be in the United States without proper documentation.

In April of 2010, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1070, sparking contentious debate as to whether states can enforce federal immigration law. The act of signing SB 1070 was perhaps one of the biggest threats to civil liberties in communities of color, setting a dangerous precedent that will reverberate nation-wide. Central to the debate is the provision that allows law enforcement to stop and detain people suspected of being undocumented. Although other provisions were struck down, the fact of the matter remains that in Arizona, police are still able to exercise discriminatory policing based on a person’s appearance.

In Maricopa County, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, was found to utilize excessive and discriminatory force against the Latino community, as reported by a United States Department of Justice investigation. As a whole, the social climate in the state that introduced SB 1070 is one that enables discrimination and hostility toward immigrants and people of color in general.

El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social reiterates the earlier point that in spite of the striking down of three provisions of SB 1070, perhaps the most controversial of these provisions, was left intact by the Supreme Court decision. Of concern with the decision, is the fact that various copycat laws have been passed since the introduction of SB 1070 in Arizona. As we have done over the course of the last twelve years, we will continue to work to ensure that all are given the opportunity to have a dignified existence, regardless of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, nationality or documented status.

EDUCATE, ORGANIZE, MOBILIZE!

For more information, contact the following: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social, 206.324.6044/253.347.4229.  info@elcomitewa.org

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PRESS RELEASE: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social addresses rumors about action on May 1st.

MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release: Sunday April 29, 2012

Contact: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social, 206.650.2106. info@elcomitewa.org, Twitter Tag: #SeattleMayDayMarch2012

El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social addresses rumors about action on May 1st.

The May Day March and its participants wish to clarify any misinformation being circulated by fringe groups and officials within the Seattle Police Department.

 

SEATTLE – El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social wishes to reiterate and reaffirm that we in no way encourage the dissemination of any information that encourages our participants to engage in reckless, poorly thought out activities that place our participants and their families in any danger.  Contrary to reports that have been disseminated in the media, the vast majority of participants in May 1^st activities do not have the intent of placing participants in danger. Our annual march is set with the intent of engaging the general population in bridging the barriers that divide our worker and social justice communities. True to the spirit of May Day, this march will make every effort to ensure that all are able to participate and connect with one another to progress a vision of community that seeks social justice for all, regardless of immigrant status, race, gender, nationality, ability, and sexual orientation.

On Tuesday, there will be two events; an Occupy Seattle sponsored program at Westlake during the day, and our annual march from St. Mary’s Church, in the evening. We are working with members of Occupy Seattle to make each of our events both safe and effective. Over the course of the last 12 years, we have encountered many challenges with threats of violence from right-wing extremists and white supremacists that have arisen from the work we do. Each and every year we and our allies have worked diligently to overcome such difficulties, to ensure that those who are on the economic and social margins have a space to voice their grievances in the midst of repeated attacks on our labor and immigrant communities. It is in unity that we find power, and it is in peaceful demonstration that we show our greatest strength. This march has, and always will be an event for the people. We will not take any threats of violence lightly and we will ensure that this event, like others past, is also a peaceful procession.

In closing, we ask any individual or entity to immediately cease any attempt to subvert and dismantle the work that we have undertaken for over 12 years. We welcome any and all who wish to work with us and offer support in solidarity. Likewise, we echo the long shore worker’s point which they emphasized in their struggle in Longview, that we as workers and community members are the only ones who can directly address the matters that afflict our communities. We respect the work that many other social justice organizations undertake. As such, we expect this same mutual respect in regard to our own internal workings and democratic structure. There is no need for petty tactics, misinformation, and infiltration of our events for the self-interest of narcissist, self-anointed “activists” who use intimidation and political terrorism to satiate their own egotistical needs. Let us all join as one to ensure we all coexist in a dignified way as workers, community members, students, as human beings.

EDUCATE, ORGANIZE, MOBILIZE!

For more information, contact the following: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social, 206.650.2106.  info@elcomitewa.org, Twitter Tag: #SeattleMayDayMarch2012

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Press Release: Thousands Expected to take to the streets for 2012 May 1st March and Rally in Seattle.

MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Contact: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social and the May 1st Action Coalition,
ph: 206.324.6044 em:  info@elcomitewa.org Twitter Tag:#SeattleMayDayMarch2012

Thousands to take to the streets in Seattle for the 12^th Annual May Day March for Workers and Immigrant Rights on Tuesday, May 1^st 2012.

March to call for an immediate end to the forced implementation of the ‘Secure Communities’ Program (S Comm) in Washington and to protest Wells Fargo Bank for their role in funding unregulated prisons and detention centers throughout the United States

 

SEATTLE – Thousands of demonstrators are expected to take to the streets of Seattle on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 for the 12^th Annual May Day March for Workers and Immigrant Rights. In the spirit of unity and solidarity with other communities across the country, organizers in Seattle will focus on the universal theme of standing together with all workers regardless of race, class, gender, religious affiliation, sexual identity, ability, and documented status. Event details:

What: 12^th Annual May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights

Who: You, thousands of workers and immigrant rights supporters. We’ll be welcomed by Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. We’ll hear testimonials from the community members, including faith based communities.

When: 3:30 p.m. Tuesday May 1st, 2012.

Where: The march will begin at St. Mary’s Church (611 20^th Ave South, Seattle, WA 98144) and a rally at its destination at the Federal Building in downtown Seattle.

Background

The theme of the 2012 march will center around justice for all workers and for an immediate end to the forced implementation of the “Secure Communities” Program in Washington State. Since its inception in 2008 under the George W. Bush Administration, S Comm has grown in scale and has contributed to record numbers of deportations throughout the U.S. In spite of the supposed intended goal of apprehending convicted felons, S Comm has led to an atmosphere of intimidation and racial profiling with many dragnet raids targeting communities of color throughout the country. These raids, often brutal and heavy-handed continue operating with absolute impunity with little to no regard for the civil and human rights of the communities targeted. Similarly, the march and rally will also focus on Wells Fargo Bank’s fudiciary support of the unregulated Private Prison-Industrial complex which controls several private prisons and immigration detention centers throughout the United States. This event marks the 12^th Annual May Day march organized byEl Comité and several other allied social justice organizations.

For more information, contact the following: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social and the May 1^st Action Coalition, 206.324.6044. info@elcomitewa.org, Twitter Tag: #SeattleMayDayMarch2012

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El Comité Pro-Reforma Migratoria y Justicia Social, May 1st Action Coalition, American Federation of Teachers 1789, Aerospace Machinists Lodge 751, Allyship, Backbone Campaign, Bethany United Church of Christ, Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites, Casa Latina, Community Alliance for Global Justice, El Centro de la Raza, Hod Carriers & General Laborers Local 242, Latino Civic Alliance, Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlan de Seattle U., Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlan de U. of Washington, National Organization for Women, Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 8, Orgullo P’urhepecha, Pacific Northwest American Friends Service Committee,  PUSO, Seattle Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador, Service Employees International Union Local 1199, Service Employees International Union Local 775, Social Justice Fund, Socialist Workers Party, St. Mary’s Parish, Teamsters Local 117, United Auto Workers Local 4121, United Communities Coalition, United Food and Commercial Workers Union 21,UNITE HERE Local 8, Washington Community Action Network, Washington Fair Trade Coalition, Washington Federation of State Employees 304, Washington New Sanctuary Movement, Washington State Labor Council, Washington State Labor Education and Research Center, Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation, Washington Young Emerging Labor Leaders, Working Washington, Witness for Peace-Pacific Northwest Region.

El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social clarifies misinformation about events in Seattle for May 1st, 2012.

MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release: Sunday January 29, 2012

Contact: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social, 206.650.2106 or 206.850.0497, info@elcomitewa.org.

El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social clarifies misinformation about events in Seattle for May 1st, 2012.

Despite claims to the contrary, neither we nor any major  labor international have called for a general srtike on May 1st.

 

SEATTLE – El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social would like to clarify openly that contrary to the writings of fringe groups within Occupy Seattle, neither we, nor any any of the national leadership organizing May 1st actions throughout the U.S. has called for a general strike on May 1st 2012. There may be some groups calling for a general strike but they and their agents do not represent El Comité or are authorized to make any statements on our behalf and or misrepresent us in any capacity. We ask these participants to cease and desist immediately and respect our democratic organizational structure. As a community organization, we elect our board every year, including the spokespersons. Any claim that we support or call for actions, that are not made from our spokespersons, are completely false.

To be clear, we acknowledge the fact that these subgroups and fringe entities are not representative of Occupy Seattle as a whole and we do not intend to conflate their activities with Occupy Seattle’s work in vocalizing the excesses and abusive nature of our deregulated financial system that has led to mass unemployment, home foreclosures, economic speculation, attacks on workers’ right to organize, and left many of us mired in the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. As an organization that prides itself on being overtly pro-worker, especially with regard to many of our immigrant brothers and sisters who are socially and economically marginalized, we laud Occupy Seattle’s great work in helping bring these concerns into mainstream parlance.

We look forward to future collaboration with OS and welcome the energy they bring into this dialogue. However, given recent altercations between the OS fringe and long shore workers with regard to the December 12, 2011 “West Coast Port Shutdown,” we feel it necessary to, as the workers along the coast has already done, make it abundantly clear that no one speaks on our behalf but ourselves. And that we insist that any attempt to utilize our name without consent is in direct violation of our principles.

For more on the port action see the following links:

http://www.ilwu.org/?p=3296

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016994886_occupyport12m.html

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017000774_apwaoccupyportswashington5thldwritethru.html

As a community-based organization, we take our work very seriously as we directly experience the result of our organizational efforts. The program for the annual May 1^st march, in existence since 2000, is the result of various open forums and immigrant worker assemblies organized by El Comité, which take place in Seattle, Tacoma, South MLK County, and other areas throughout the Puget Sound region. The theme of our March and organizational priorities for the entire year are decided in these community forums. In effect, it is our community that dictates what approach to take and what sequence of actions serve best as a whole. As of yet, there have not been any public meetings convened, and as such, we cannot claim to support, much less call for a general strike.

In closing, we wish to reiterate our point that we ask any individual or entity to immediately cease using our name and attempt to subvert and dismantle the work that we have undertaken for over 12 years. We welcome any and all who wish to work with us and offer support in solidarity. Likewise, we echo the long shore worker’s point that we as immigrant workers and community members are the only ones who can directly address the matters that afflict our communities. We respect the work that many other social justice organizations undertake. As such, we expect this same mutual respect in regard to our own internal workings and democratic structure. There is no need for petty tactics, misinformation, and infiltration of our communications infrastructure. Let us all join as one to ensure we all coexist in a dignified way as workers, community members, students, as human beings.

EDUCATE, ORGANIZE, MOBILIZE!

For more information, contact the following: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social, 206.650.2106 or 206.850.0497, info@elcomitewa.org.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Organizers Anticipate Larger Turnout for Annual March Scheduled for Sunday, May 1st 2011.

MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release: Tuesday April 19, 2011

Contact: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social and the May 1st Action Coalition, 206.324.6044.

Organizers Anticipate Larger Turnout for Annual March Scheduled for Sunday, May 1^st 2011.

Cuts in Public Services, Attacks on Organized Labor, and the recently proposed Drivers’ License bill that would have denied undocumented immigrants, among major issues in mobilization.

 

SEATTLE – This year, as in the past, El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria y Justicia Social and the May 1^st Action Coalition will host their annual May 1^st March, scheduled to begin at Judkins Park in Seattle on Sunday, May 1^st 2011, in what many anticipate will be one of the largest marches yet. This is scheduled to be yet another major event in what has been a very active year. Protests have erupted throughout the country in response to adverse economic conditions as well as congressional inactivity in addressing immigration reform in a humane, non-racially biased way.

The recent wave in demonstrations both locally and nationally have illustrated popular discontent with the direction in which law makers in Olympia and Washington D.C. have taken budgetary discourse. Cuts in public services in many states have drawn scores of demonstrators in opposition. Likewise, labor disputes centered on the right to organize collectively have sparked a groundswell of support for workers in many states along the Eastern United States, most notably in states like Wisconsin, New Jersey and Michigan, among others.

Similarly, in the State of Washington, one of the most controversially contested bills was SB 5407, which would prohibit anyone who is undocumented to obtain a drivers license. Though not as far-reaching and constitutionally questionable as Arizona SB 1070, the bill’s sponsor led legislative hearings around SB 5407 that were fraught with xenophobic grandstanding under the guise of transportation safety. In the end, the bill was defeated, as even Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen (D-Camano Island) cast a vote against the bill that she herself sponsored.

According to Juan Jose Bocanegra, an organizer with El Comité, “these issues are all interconnected. Many who bear the brunt of this economic downturn are also the ones who are blamed by corporate and right wing interests. Workers are divided by barriers in national status, income, and ability. When it comes down to it, we all see the same attacks. It’s important to acknowledge each other and work together for all our common interests.”

The 2011 March route will go downhill from the Judkins Park and curve northbound on way to Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center. A two hour program is slated for attendees and will include musical performances, speeches by local labor and social justice leaders, and a special keynote from longtime, Chicago-based activist, Carlos Arango, formerly a student leader at the time of the Tlatelolco Massacre in Mexico City in 1968 and presently Executive Director of the Casa Aztlan community center in Chicago.

The May 1^st Action Coalition is an entity comprised of labor and social justice organizations in the greater Seattle area that has come together in recent years to organize alongside El Comité for the Annual May 1^st March. El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social has been in existence since April of 2000. This event will mark the 11^th year that this march has been organized and sponsored by El Comité and other social justice groups.

For more information, contact the following: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social and the May 1^st Action Coalition, 206.324.6044.

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Immigrants and Allies Rally and March on February 25th, 2011

MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release: Saturday February 26, 2011

Contact: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social and the May 1st Action Coalition, 206.324.6044.

Immigrants and their Allies Rally at Westlake and March to the Downtown Seattle ICE Offices to Protest ICE Raids and Proposed Anti-Immigrant Legislation on Friday, February 25, 2011.

SEATTLE - El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria y Justicia Social and the May 1^st Action Coalition held a March and rally in Downtown Seattle, beginning at around 4 p.m. that drew an estimated 80 participants. Many braved 30 degree weather to protest the recent escalation of attacks against the immigrant communities in Washington, on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and anti-immigrant legislation proposed in Olympia.

The program began with a brief Rally at Westlake where participants slowly gathered and came in closer to the stage area. Speakers included spokespersons for local organizations such as The New Sanctuary Movement, Witness for Peace, and faith based organizations. Colette Cosner, Regional Coordinator for Witness for Peace read a brief excerpt from Washington State Senator, Adam Kline’s (D-Seattle) statement on contentious bill SB 5407, which would restrict undocumented residents from obtaining a drivers’ license.

“I oppose SB 5407 very strongly. Personally, I prefer a policy that recognizes reality; the immigrants have come here to work, and their labor is welcome because even in this deep recession there are jobs that native-born Americans don’t seek. These people keep our economy going.”

Sen. Kline’s statement illustrated the theme of the demonstration as participants then marched west-bound on Pine Street and south on 2^nd Ave on way to the 1000 Building which houses offices for the both the Washington State Department of Licensing as well as an Immigration Court and offices for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency. A brief rally continued at the March’s destination.

According to Sandy Restrepo, Co-Chair for the May 1^st Action Coalition, “these policies at the state and national levels are an all out assault on our youth. They bear the brunt of not being able to attain drivers’ licenses if they are undocumented and of having their parents taken away and having their families separated because some members of the family are documented and others may not be.”

Antonio Flores, Spokesperson for El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social, further noted, “our children are those who suffer most from these inhumane laws. They are at danger of losing their caretakers in their parents and have to cope with the psychological trauma of having agents come in and disappear family members at will.” He further stated, “I am indigenous. My family is indigenous. We are not strangers to these lands and we all have the human right to migrate to be able to provide for our families. My childrens’ suffering and all our childrens’ suffering is on you (ICE Officials)! Shame on you!”

As the demonstration wrapped up, speakers related these issues to others around the country, namely around resistance to budget cuts and to the labor issues transpiring in Wisconsin and other states in the Midwest. They ended the program with the chant, “we’ll be back, we’ll be back,” indicating that their concern is yet to be resolved.

As done the previous eleven years, organizers will continue to fight to secure the basic rights of all, regardless of place of origin.

For more information, contact the following: El Comité Pro Reforma Migratoria Y Justicia Social and the May 1st Action Coalition, 206.324.6044.

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