immigrant rights


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Jul 29 2010
Statewide Protests Against SB1070

July 29th Day Of Action Against SB1070

Jul 29 2010
Judge Enjoins Key Parts of SB1070; Some Parts That Criminalize Immigrant Still in Effect. Protests to go on as planned.

From Arizona Indymedia - On July 28th at about 10:00 a.m. Federal judge Susan Bolton issued a preliminary injunction against four provisions included in Arizona's anti-immigrant law, SB1070. These provisions include the mandate that law enforcement officers solicit the immigration status of anyone they encounter; the portion that makes failure to carry immigration documents a state crime; the portion that makes it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to perform work in Arizona; and the portion allowing for warrantless arrest of anybody who is suspected of having committed a "deportable offense". Judge Bolton's injunction is only temporary, which means that each of these provisions can still go into effect if the judge decides, after fully hearing the case, that they are acceptable.

Here in Los Angeles a large caravan of hundreds left for Arizona early this morning.

Jul 28 2010
Mobilizations Take Place Across Texas for Arizona

The Arizona Legislature's passage of SB1070, which expanded police powers to enforce immigration law has lead to huge mobilizations by immigrant rights and civil liberties groups across the country. Reports from Houston, Austin and Arizona:

By John H: On July 24th, Houstonians gathered at Plaza Americas, the old Sharpstown Mall, to express their opposition to Arizona's SB 1070 immigration Bill., and rally in support of the immigrant community in Arizona. [See Photos]

By Matt: A pro-Arizona rally last June which drew 150 people is met with resistance as 150 counter-protesters confront them at the Texas Capitol in Austin. As SB 1070 is scheduled to go into effect this week, I wanted to post this audio diary from last month in Austin. [see photos and audio] Austin solidarity vigil for Arizona

By RoB: I came to Tucson this Monday to visit friends and contribute to organizing against the SB1070 law (which makes law enforcement check the immigration status of people they interact with), and have volunteered some with the work of the We Reject Racism Campaign. This campaign was initiated largely by No More Deaths, a humanitarian and activist organization trying to end the deaths of immigrants in the Sonoran desert. [Read Full Article] Twenty Four Hour vigil against SB1070 kicks off in Tucson | Photos for July 29th Vigil in Tucson against SB1070

From Arizona Indymedia: On July 28th at about 10:00 a.m. Federal judge Susan Bolton issued a preliminary injunction against four provisions included in Arizona's anti-immigrant law, SB1070. Judge Bolton allowed a series of provisions of SB1070 to stand. These provisions will go into effect at midnight TONIGHT. In response to this partial injunction, protest groups have vowed to go forward with their plans for the 29th. [Full Feature]

From the Houston Indymedia Radio Show: Repeal Coalition Organizing Against SB1070 | Immigration Seminar Question and Answer Interview

Jul 28 2010
On the Brink: Judge enjoins parts of SB1070; Law will still lead to broad criminalization. Protests and resistance going forward

On July 28th at about 10:00 a.m. Federal judge Susan Bolton issued a preliminary injunction against four provisions included in Arizona's anti-immigrant law, SB1070. These provisions include the mandate that law enforcement officers solicit the immigration status of anyone they encounter; the portion that makes failure to carry immigration documents a state crime; the portion that makes it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to perform work in Arizona; and the portion allowing for warrantless arrest of anybody who is suspected of having committed a "deportable offense". Judge Bolton's injunction is only temporary, which means that each of these provisions can still go into effect if the judge decides, after fully hearing the case, that they are acceptable.

Meanwhile, Judge Bolton allowed a series of provisions of SB1070 to stand. These include the portion that makes it a crime to solicit work as a day-laborer; the portion that requires law enforcement to fully cooperate with immigration authorities and to report anybody they know to be in the country illegally; the portion allowing anybody to sue any jurisdiction they believe is not fully enforcing the law; and finally the portion of the law that makes it a crime to "harbor" or "transort" any undocumented immigrant (this provision is especially designed to target and criminalize mixed-status families). These provisions will go into effect at midnight TONIGHT.

In response to this partial injunction, protest groups have vowed to go forward with their plans for the 29th. Read On for Details

Related Coverage: Mobilizations Take Place Across Texas for Arizona | National Week of Actions Everywhere against SB1070 | From Arizona to Minnesota, Immigrant Struggle Heats Up

Jul 28 2010
From Arizona to Minnesota, Immigrant Struggle Heats Up

St. Paul Demonstration on Thursday, July 29

Latina/o communities and activists everywhere are fighting against racist anti-immigrant legislation.  The flashpoint of this summer's struggle is Arizona law SB 1070, the precedent setting anti-immigrant measure that codifies existing but unofficial racial profiling.  But although that law has brought thousands into the struggle for comprehensive immigration reform and against the border itself, it exists in an ongoing context of intimidation, leaked data, raids and border militarization.

SB 1070 is set to take effect on Thursday July 29, if a federal judge doesn't strike down part of it first.  Either way, dozens of large protests are scheduled Thursday from coast to coast.  In St. Paul, the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAc) and Boycott Arizona--Minnesota (BAM!) campaign expect a large turnout on Thursday at 6pm at the State Capitol. "Our community is calling for us to take to the streets and show Minnesota that we will not stand for these hateful laws and demand a real solution to this broken system – federal immigration reform with legalization and full equality," write organizers.

The latest from Arizona: | Monday: Seven arrested in civil disobedience outside Phoenix courthouse | Soundstrike Artists Rage Against ArizonaCoverage from Colorlines | Alto Arizona | PuenteAZ | No Mås Muertes | Arizona Indymedia

read more

Jul 28 2010
National Week of Actions

Are you going to Arizona? Are you staying in L.A.? Dozens of actions are happening this week to protest the implementation of AZ SB1070, the state law that, according to opponents, will violate civil rights and is unconstitutional. The law is presently being challenged by the Federal government, but whether an injunction against the law is passed or not, thousands of people from across the country will converge on Phoenix, AZ, to join in the massive protests already taking place at the state capital.

See: Alto Arizona, Southern California Immigration Coalition, Resistance to SB 1070: No Borders, No Papers, No State,

On the 29th, read news and post information to Arizona Indymedia, and promote it on the various social networking sites.

Hashtags in use are #arizona #sb1070 #1070 #july29 #altoarizona #fucksb1070

DC
Jul 26 2010
The Dreamers

Normally, I begin an interview by asking, "Your name?" But last Wednesday, I couldn't lead off with this question. Many individuals, including the young woman I interviewed, live and work in the U.S., but do not possess the 'proper' documents. For those who fall into this category, a name can be used as a weapon against them. The Dream Act would change this for many. As the Washington Post noted, the Dream Act "would give unauthorized young immigrants a path to legal residency if they contribute to the country by serving in the military or getting a college education."

Jul 24 2010
Seven arrested outside SB1070 court hearing; Arizona groups call for nationwide day of action July 29

Groups in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson call for pledge non-compliance with the law, call for protests, vigils, civil disobedience

On Thursday, July 22nd Judge Susan Bolton overheard arguments both for and against an injunction on SB1070. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside against the law, and seven were eventually arrested for blocking the streets immediately adjacent to the courthouse (video) (more video). Several demonstrators also rallied in support of the law, including avowed neo-Nazis like Harry Hughes, seen being interviewed by CNN.

Judge Bolton is considering two separate lawsuits that request for an injunction before the law goes into effect on July 29th. The lawsuits were filed by the U.S. Justice Department and by a coalition of civil liberties organizations including the ACLU and MALDEF (the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund). The judge made clear during the hearing that she will not enjoin the entire law, although she has yet to rule on a number of specific statutes.

Organizations in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson are calling for a state and nation-wide day of action against the law on July 29th, which they plan to go forward with whether or not the law is enjoined. In Phoenix a coalition of groups is calling for civil disobedience against a list of targets, while in Tucson an overnight vigil will begin at the state building at 5:30 p.m. on the 28th, and organizers are calling for people to flood downtown at 8 a.m. on the 29th followed by a day of diverse actions scheduled to take place across the city. Organizers across the state of Arizona are calling for people to engage in active resistance against SB1070, and for national and international solidarity on the 29th. Stay tuned to Arizona Indymedia for more updates! | Related: 135+ Tucson Businesses, Organizations Declare "We Reject Racism", Non-Compliance With SB1070 | More Past Coverage

DC
Jul 22 2010
Prince George's County is Arizona

* Attention: Lawyer Needed Immediately. Please read and listen to the details of Benjamin's case (below). If you know of an immigration attorney who could help out with Benjamin's case, please get in touch with Heather Bradley Kubo asap at heather@gandhibrigade.org or 301 588 1399. Benjamin needs to file certain papers this morning to stop his deportation to El Salvador, which may be a death sentence for him. Kubo said, Benjamin "is the sixth young person who I've seen deported… in the past three years. … some of them under the age of 18, most of them under the age of 25; most of whom haven't been criminally charged or haven't been convicted of any criminal charge. But for the simple fact of being Latino, for the simple fact of being foreign born, for the simple fact of being, of living in a particular neighborhood, they are being profiled for that and because of that they're being detained. People are so preoccupied with Arizona and we don't realize that Arizona is Maryland. Arizona is Virginia. Arizona is D.C. There is absolutely no difference really in the policies that Arizona has and the policies that Maryland has." Audio

Jul 11 2010
Boston Protests For Immigrants Rights

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer Met by Protestors During the National Governor’s Association Meeting in Boston. video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiF2JskJHug more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/protestphotos1/sets/72157624465224460/

Jul 08 2010
135+ Tucson Businesses, Organizations Declare "We Reject Racism", Non-Compliance With SB1070

Businesses, community groups, neighbors pledge not to allow police to check immigration status on their premises

Tucson, Arizona – On Thursday, July 8 No More Deaths and the Tierra y Libertad Organization unveiled twin grassroots campaigns against SB1070 entitled “We Reject Racism” and “We Mean Business”. More than 100 local and national volunteers have been mobilized to talk with to businesses, churches, and door-to-door outreach in neighborhoods, encouraging folks to speak out against and commit to non-cooperation with SB1070 and form networks of resistance and mutual aid with those most affected by the law. Already more than 135 local businesses and other institutions have posted a sign declaring opposition to SB1070, with many agreeing that law enforcement will not be allowed on their premises for the sole purpose of checking the immigration status of those within.

Jul 01 2010
FBI/DHS Attempt to Seize Colorado Indymedia Server and Silence Our Users

On June 17, Colorado Indymedia was contacted by Special Agent Adam Kowalski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)/Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As part of an "ongoing investigation" by Federal Protective Services, they attempted to seize the Colorado Indymedia server, believing that we kept logs (such as IP address access logs) that could identity users on our site. Full Article With Discussion | | | Posts in Question: ICE Facility Attacked in Loveland | ICE Office Attacked

Jun 22 2010
Immigrants Rights Activists Stage Civil Disobedience Action, 12 Arrested

COSTA MESA, Monday June 14, 2010 – Recently, the Costa Mesa city council passed an ordinance declaring the city a "Rule of Law" city, a label they use to indicate their status as a city that is hostile to undocumented immigrants, unlike the "Sanctuary Cities" where the paperless can find refuge.

The Costa Mesa community has been battling its city council and its anti-immigrant mayor, Alan Mansoor, for years. Last week, Monday, immigrant rights activists engaged in civil disobedience to shut down a busy intersection for several hours in Costa Mesa. Activists set up a table in the middle of the intersection and chained themselves together around the table. A total of 12 immigrant rights activists were arrested as a result of this action. From the Newswire: The People Against The "Rule of Law" Of Costa Mesa City! Lady Madonna | | VIDEO: Costa Mesa action against the "Rule of Law" by NouvelleMaude

Related: DAY 10: NY RALLIES FOR IMMIGRANT YOUTH

Jun 18 2010
Checkpoints in York County

What is Checkpoint response? Checkpoint response is a network of volunteers who spread information about where and when checkpoints are to take place through e-mail, social networking, and text messages. When possible, we also warn the drivers in our communities through standing protests on the affected streets at a distance of a block from the checkpoint. If you would like to report a checkpoint announced in your local press or that you've seen in your community, or if you would like to receive text alerts, please email noretenes@gmail.com.

¿Qué es Checkpoint response? Checkpoint response es una red de volutarios y voluntarias que se dedican a la difusión de información sobre dónde y cuándo se efectúan retenes policiales a través de correo electrónico, redes sociales, y mensajes de texto. Cuando nos sea posible, también avisamos a los conductores de nuestras comunidades con plantones en la calle afectada a la distancia de una cuadra del retén. Si usted quiere reportar un retén anunciado en su prensa local o que haya visto en su comunidad, o si quiere recibir alertas por texto, favor de enviar un email a noretenes@gmail.com.

NYC
Jun 10 2010
DAY 10: NY RALLIES FOR IMMIGRANT YOUTH: Senator Schumer Misses Deadline to Meet

DIA 10: NUEVA YORK APOYA JÓVENES INMIGRANTES: Senador Schumer No Cumple Su “Deadline” de los Jóvenes Inmigrantes Después De 220 Horas en Huelga de Hambre