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<div align="center"><b><font face="Arial"><big>Statement in Solidarity
with Immigrant Workers in New Bedford, MA<br>
<br>
</big>Release all Immigrant Workers Detained by ICE!<br>
Stop the Raids & Deportations Now!<br>
Legalization for ALL Immigrants!</font></b><br>
</div>
<br>
We the undersigned uncategorically denounce the Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) raid and detention of at least 350 immigrant workers
at Michael Bianco Inc. in New Bedford, MA. which took place the morning
of Tuesday, March 6, 2007. We stand firmly in solidarity with our
sisters and brothers in all immigrant communities and demand the
immediate release of all who have been detained by ICE. Further, we
demand an immediate end to these raids and deportations of immigrant
workers and the reunification of their families. <br>
<br>
These workers, mostly women from Guatemala and El Salvador, who had
been forced to leave their countries because of the economic havoc
caused by NAFTA, CAFTA and FTA, were trying to make a living and
provide food and shelter for their families. Many have children who
were attending local day centers and schools at the time of the raid.
These children who are now separated from at least one parent face the
terror of not knowing what is happening and when their families will be
reunited. Let's be clear, this raid has nothing to do with the working
conditions at this company. If the government is so concerned about
the conditions that immigrant workers are forced to endure than they
should immediately pass legislation protecting their rights. This
racist, terrorist raid by federal agents and supported by state and
local agencies is just the latest attempt by the US government to
criminalize, scapegoat and force immigrant workers and their families
into the shadows of society where they can be super-exploited with no
rights. <br>
<br>
It comes as no surprise that the number of raids and the publicity of
those raids have increased since last years historic demonstrations of
millions of immigrant workers and their supporters that filled the
streets cities and towns throughout the country. This year immigrant
rights organizations throughout the Americas have called for "The Great
American Boycott II" to take place on May 1, 2007 to demand
"Legalization for all Immigrants", "Stop the Raids and Deportations",
"Protect Workers Rights". For more information on May 1st activities
please visit maydaymovement.blogspot.com.<br>
<br>
Chuck Turner, Boston City Council District 7*<br>
<br>
Most Rev. Filipe C Teixeira, OFSJC<br>
Northeastern Diocese of Saint Francis of Assisi, CCA*<br>
<br>
Javier Rodriguez, National May 1st Movement for Workers and Immigrant
Rights*<br>
<br>
Yvette Modestin, Matahari/Eye of the Day*<br>
<br>
Frantz Mendes, President, USW L. 8751, Boston School Bus Drivers*<br>
<br>
MLK Jr. Bolivarian Circle<br>
<br>
New England Human Rights Organization for Haiti<br>
<br>
Teresa Gutierez, NY May 1st Coalition*<br>
<br>
International Action Center<br>
<br>
Women's Fightback Network<br>
<br>
Edward Childs, Chief Steward Unite/HERE L. 26*<br>
<br>
* id only<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
*******************************************
International Action Center
Boston:
617-522-6626
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:iacboston@iacboston.org">iacboston@iacboston.org</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.iacboston.org">http://www.iacboston.org</a>
National Office:
212-633-6646
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.iacenter.org">http://www.iacenter.org</a>
Troops Out Now Coalition
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://troopsoutnow.org">http://troopsoutnow.org</a> </pre>
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