Labor Day, Sept 1, 9 am: Oregon Rising activists gathered at Glenhaven Park in NE Portland along with activists from the International Migrant’s Alliance (IMA) and Tanggol Migrante Movement. This followed the IMA’s national political conference held at McDaniel HS next to the park.
The Portland rally, attended by around 300 people, was a show of support for members of our immigrant communities as well as a kick-off for Oregon Rising. Oregon Rising is a new alliance of labor and community groups, including Portland Jobs with Justice, Together Lab, XRPDX, Welcome Home Coalition, the Portland Association of Teachers and others. XRPDX’s Zany Bits actors brought out their songs, chants and butterfly wings to the delight of everyone. Reporters from KOIN TV and The Oregonian covered the event.
Angela Bonilla, president of the Portland Association of Teachers, emphasized the importance of uniting labor unions and community-based organizations, stating, “This alliance has come together to improve the lives of the working class by taking back power and wealth that has been extracted by our communities.”
Ariana Jacob, president of the American Federation of Teachers – Oregon, emphasized that we “need our labor unions to be partnering with our community organizations to build a bigger movement that fights against what’s happening in terms of the racist, sexist, homophobic attacks that we’re getting from the federal government.”
Molly Hogan, Executive Director of the Welcome Home Coalition, stated that “Joining Oregon Rising made sense for us because collaborating with unions is housing justice because someone’s paycheck should pay for more than just the rent and utilities!”
Speaking to the press on behalf of XRPDX, I stressed the connection between the climate crisis and immigration. I emphasized that as a direct result of the climate crisis, millions of people around the globe are being displaced from their countries of origin due to flooding, forest fires, and drought which makes growing food and basic survival impossible. I also noted that as a huge carbon emitter, the U.S. has a huge responsibility for forced migration.
Next, Chris Dela Cruz, the rally MC and a reverend & leader with a community organization called Together Lab, announced his readiness “to show these billionaire oligarchs that WE the people won’t back down!” He then lauded the amazing work of IMA and introduced one of their leaders, Jess Rojas, before we hit the road.
Labor Day, Sept 1, 10:10 am:The Portland Association of Teachers provided two school buses to transport 100 folks from the IMA conference to the Tacoma ICE center. Others traveled in 50 cars as part of a caravan. Bus riders, largely Filipino rights activists but also folks from other organizations like UNITE Oregon, shared background on their organizations and efforts during the bus ride. Their stories were inspirational!
Labor Day, Sept 1, 12:30 pm Over 850 people attended the Tacoma rally at the ICE facility. It was led by IMA and La Resistencia as a show of solidarity with the 1500 immigrants currently being held in incredibly inhumane conditions. Speakers demanded the release of those detained and a shutdown of the facility. Family members spoke out about their loved ones who were abducted by ICE and held at the facility, some for many months. One detainee, Zahid Chaudhry, came to the U.S. legally 25 years ago and is the President of the Veterans for Peace Olympia chapter. Chaudhry’s wife spoke about how difficult his conditions are, especially since he is in a wheelchair.
Speakers emphasized that the for-profit company running the facility makes big bucks by holding prisoners as long as possible to rake in daily fees from the federal government. This also allows them to demand more federal dollars to expand their very profitable operations.
What can I do? For more on how to report ICE activities and inform immigrants of their rights, go to: https://www.oregonforall.us/resources
And support Zahid! Here is a September 16 update:
Zahid is being denied the medical care he urgently needs. Without immediate treatment, he could permanently lose his peripheral vision. Please follow this link for more information and to sign a petition calling for GEO Group and the Northwest Detention Center to provide the necessary medical care immediately.
