For those readers who don’t know, on Monday May 1st, those who support immigrant rights will hold a day of protest. Students are encouraged to stay home from school, workers to stay home from work, and for all supporters to avoid buying anything on that day. Cities across the country are organizing marches and rallies. Below are events happening here in Ohio.
(Below from a press announcement from FLOC)
KEEP THE PRESSURE UP !!! NATIONAL MOBILIZATION: MAY 1
On May 1, Labor Day in most countries all over the world, there is a
national call for a Day Without Immigrants. In solidarity with this
effort, we ask supporters to:
* Participate in marches and rallies in your community
* Wear white (as a symbol of peace) all day.
* Do not buy any goods all day, to demonstrate the economic contributions
of immigrants and their supporters
* Don’t go to work if possible, also to demonstrate the economic
contributions of immigrants.
In Ohio, the Ohio Immigrants Network (RIO) is joining the national call
with the following actions:
“IMMIGRANTS ARE AMERICA”
TOLEDO/NW Ohio
May 1: Protest at the office of Congressman Paul Gillmor, who votedfor
the anti-immigrant, anti-american proposal HR4437. Serenades and ataste
of American diversity. Car caravans leave the FLOC office, at1221
Broadway, Toledo at NOON. Assemble at Rotary Park in Tiffin at 1:00 pm.
March to the office of Congressman Gillmor at 96 S. Washington St., in
Tiffin.
CINCINNATI
May 1: Gather at 10:00 a.m. at Carew Tower, 441 Vine in
downtownCincinnati, the location of the office of Congressman Steve
Chabot inroom 3003. Contact Sylvia Castellanos en CODEDI 513-260-6080; sylvia@codedi.org
COLUMBUS
Meeting with members of Congress Debra Pryce and Ted Strickland staff,
who voted for the HR4437 proposal. Also: rally/celebration at the
Restaurant Viva Zapata from 12:00-6:00 pm; information, food and music.
355 Georgisville Rd. Contact: Ruben Castilla Herrera (614) 571-1750. –
rherrera2457@yahoo.com
Rally at the Ohio State University Oval – Join Ohio State students,
staff and community at 12:00 noon for a rally at the oval. Participants
will proceed to Viva Zapata after the rally. Contact Martin Alvarado
614-327-6865 – osu_martin@yahoo.com
Showing of the movie “A Day Without Mexicans” and a panel discussion at
the Ohio Hispanic Coalition. Contact Josue Vicente al (614) 840-9934
CLEVELAND
May 1: Rally and protest Congressman LaTourette, who voted for HR4437.
Contact Don Bryant (330) 328-5377 or truth_force@yahoo.com
DAYTON
May 1: Peaceful walk in front of the Federal Building, 200 W. 2nd.
St. at 3:30 pmContact Rev. Jayne L. Ruiz at (937) 258-8118
Recent raids by immigration of a pallet company with facilities on several
states, including Columbus and Cincinnati in Ohio, show the urgent need
for comprehensive and fair immigration reform to benefit both, employers
and workers. It is not a coincidence that these raids are taking place
right after millions of people have taken to the streets to protest the
attacks on immigrants. Evidently they try to create a climate of fear in
the community. We urge the government not to spend more tax payer
resources persecuting peasants, pallet workers and landscapers who are
just trying to make a living and sustain their families. We urge Congress
to pass “Ag Jobs” for farm workers and the Kennedy-McCain “Secure America
Act”, introduced in 2005. Both represent efficient, logic, comprehensive
and just immigration reform proposals that would benefit the whole
country.
DIGNITY, RESPECT, HOPE
America is a nation of immigrants founded on the basis of Justice
andEquality
YES! TO A JUST IMMIGRATION REFORM
NO TO THE WALLS!
NO TO THE SEPARATION OF FAMILIES!
NO TO THE CRIMINALIZATION OF IMMIGRANTS
