New developments in immigrant rights struggle

Two recent victories in the struggle for immigrant rights show the continued need to step up the struggle. In Colorado, a ballot initiative that would have prohibited undocumented immigrants from receiving “non-emergency services” was rejected by the Colorado Supreme Court on a constitutional technicality.

And in New York, bill A612B, which would allow immigrants access to drivers’ licenses regardless of immigration status, passed in the State Assembly transportation committee. The passage of the bill, supported with some reservations by the New York Coalition for Immigrants’ Rights to Drivers’ Licenses, is the result of a two-year struggle that included rallies in the immigrant communities of Queens long before the movement for immigrant rights hit the spotlight.

With the need for struggle on the streets in mind, activists on the East Coast will be coming together on June 17 for a public meeting to plan the next major immigrant rights protest. The event’s press release states: “The Coalition that organized the huge march and rally in New York City for immigrant rights at Union Square on May 1 is sponsoring a meeting of hundreds of immigrant rights activists from around the region.

“On June 17, the May 1 Coalition and others will meet to plan the next big protest. The meeting is open to everyone, especially all of those who have marched and rallied for immigrant rights over the past three months.

“Organizers for this major all-day planning meeting expect organizers from across New York City and State, as well as New Jersey and Connecticut to participate. The meeting will be conducted in English and Spanish.

“A march for justice in Jackson Heights will follow the meeting. In the morning, workshops will include the status of immigrant legislation in Congress, and coalition building with labor and civil rights movements. In the afternoon [we] will focus on planning actions.

“Teresa Gutierrez, a spokesperson for the May 1 Coalition, said, ‘The immigrant bill the U.S. Senate passed recently is unacceptable, just as HR 4437 was unacceptable, because it does not give full legal rights to all undocumented workers. We must continue our struggle for full rights for immigrants, no deportations, and rights for all workers.’ Gutierrez added, ‘Congress is trying to forget about the millions who marched and boycotted on May 1, so we will be planning dates to go back to the streets to remind them that immigrants will never be invisible again.’”

Organizations participating in the planning meeting include Asociación Tepeyac, Association of Senegalese in America, Latin American Workers Project, Justice 4 Immigrants Filipino Coalition, Freeport Community Worklink Center, Guyanese-American Workers United, Pakistan USA Freedom Forum, Centro Guatemalteco Tecun Uman, Congreso Nacional Domini cano, La Peña del Bronx, LIUNA Local 108, Teamsters Joint Council #16, Casa Freehold, Congreso Nacional Domini cano, Chinese Staff and Workers Association, Anakbayan NY/NJ, Million Worker March, Philippine Forum and Break the Chains Alliance.

For more information, visit www. may1.info or call (212) 633-6646.