As a catastrophe unfolds in Arizona, people across the country are preparing to defend their communities against the racist immigrant policies being implemented under the banner of “secured communities” in America.
Arizona has been in the forefront of the most deplorable immigrant enforcement tactics, with Sheriff Joe Arpio‘s shameful treatment of undocumented workers, the signing of the SB1070 bill by Governor Jan Brewer that will lead to racial profiling and distrust between the police and immigrant communities, and today the passage of a ban on ethnic studies programs.
These despicable actions in Arizona have led to organizing and involvement of all sectors of the community to show their disgust against these policies and remind elected officials, especially Arizona’s governor, that their actions will lead to massive mobilization at the polls. As one good friend said “Justice delayed, election denied”
Many people across the country are fighting to keep their communities safe from these xenophobic policies and are creating safe communities for all residents, and local Jobs with Justice Coalitions have been supporting these efforts.
DC JwJ is leading a coalition organizing to stop the implementation of the ‘secure communities’ policy being pushed by homeland security to involve local police in immigration enforcement. “Programs like this are effectively pushing America back to the days of slave patrols,” said Ron Hampton, Executive Director of the National Black Police Association, at a press conference and rally outside DC City Council. In Boston, people are standing in solidarity with the struggle in Arizona and working on preventing any anti-immigrant legislation of being implemented. Next week, JwJ Western Field Organizer Huy Ong and other JwJ activists are traveling as part of a delegation of the Inter-Alliance Dialogue to help organize an on-the-ground response. In Arizona, Tucson Jobs with Justice is already building for activities there.
As Jobs with Justice, we see our struggle tied with our immigrant brothers and sisters and support the efforts nationwide being taken by our partners. Tomorrow, Jobs with Justice activists across the country will participate in May Day events advocating for immigration reform.
We are working with our allies at the National Day Labor Organizing Network and Puente, a human rights movement anchored in Phoenix, to call on all people of conscience to converge in Phoenix, Arizona on May 29th to say STOP THE HATE! and to demand President Obama take action to nullify this hateful law. For more information about the Stop the Hate national convergence go to www.altoarizona.com.
It is time to remind ourselves of our immigrant roots and pay respect to our American heritage by fighting anti-immigrant policies and proactively work towards creating safe communities with tolerance and justice for all.
Check out what some of our allies are doing www.unitedwedream.org, www.ndlon.org.
