LOCAL LABOR AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS GROUPS ANNOUNCE MAJOR MAY DAY PROTEST
LOCAL LABOR AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS GROUPS ANNOUNCE MAJOR MAY DAY PROTEST
The announcement is part of a national day of action involving hundreds of thousands of people in the Largest Mobilization of Immigrants since the Election
Newark – Here to Stay—that’s the message thousands of immigrants and supporters will proclaim during a massive May Day protest planned at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Details of the event were announced today by a diverse coalition of labor leaders, community activists, and immigrant rights groups who are organizing the event in response to a wave of anti-immigrant policies the Trump administration has been pushing in an attempt to criminalize immigrants, separate families and strike fear in communities.
“Standing up for the rights of workers, whether they be immigrants, the poor, the disadvantaged has never been easy but, especially in these times, when our values are under attack, stepping forward is absolutely necessary,” said Kevin Brown, 32BJ SEIU Vice President and NJ State Director. “Families in our community are being destroyed, American-born children are being separated from their parents. We refuse to stand aside and do nothing.”
“As one of the most diverse states in the nation, New Jersey must lead the way in defending and protecting the most vulnerable amongst us,” said Analilia Mejia Director NJ Working Families Alliance. “We challenge each and every elected leader to live up to the promise of our nation and stand up in defense of the hardworking families that comprise our immigrant communities”.
Elected officials, faith and community leaders and people from all walks of life with stand with us on May Day and pledge their support in our fight for immigrant justice. We’ll also speak out against this administration’s threats to withhold funding to municipalities that declare their communities sanctuary cities.
“All of our faith traditions teach us that members of the undocumented community are our sisters, brothers, neighbors and valued members of our congregations,” said Archange Antoine, an Organizer with Faith in New Jersey. “Standing with the stranger and speaking up for our neighbor is part of our duty.”
“Our communities continue to be targeted and we must stand together against hatred and bigotry. New Jersey has been a port of entry for many immigrants for hundreds of years and we will not change our values now,” said Johanna Calle, Program Coordinator, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice. “We know history is on our side and we will gather on May 1st to continue to demand to be treated with dignity and respect.”
The Jersey City May Day event will be one of many across the country in what is expected to be the largest mobilization of immigrants and supporters since the election. This will be third event of its kind and magnitude in New Jersey. The previous one, held in 2013, drew several thousand people to Liberty State Park. The May 1st, 2017 event will feature speeches from a host of dignitaries, cultural performances, music and a call to action to fight for immigrant justice on May Day and every day.
