Photos and text by Ariel Soto
At the San Francisco Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office an emergency protest and a call for justice was held on May 5th in a response to condemn last week's raids where 60 immigrant workers were detained by the ICE. People gathered at the protest to call an end to these raids that tear apart families and criminalize the important work immigrants are doing in the community. Of the 60 workers who were arrested, some have been released, but must wear an electric ankle bracelet while they wait for deportation hearings. "Estamos aquí y no nos vamos" ("We are here and we're not leaving") was one of the many slogans chanted by the passionate and diverse group of protesters at the event.
Participating organizations included: East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, Bay Area Immigrant Right Coalition, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, Pride at Work, and San Francisco Immigrant Legal and Education Network.
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Comments (2)
Slowly but surely, the rest of the nation will learn how important all workers are to our common health and wealth...
peace,
robert
Posted by robert | May 5, 2008 09:51 PM
Why should we allow others into our community? Because we do not turn away family. We are all brothers and sisters living in the world together. We have a responsibility to help each other, because that's what family does. What do we gain? Love. Peace. A flourishing community.
In other countries it is considered a gift and blessing when a stranger comes to visit. It is an honor to invite this stranger for dinner, to provide a bed. That person is a family member coming home. We have all been travelers. We have all been strangers. We have all been immigrants. Our ancestors have all traveled far and been weary. Let us welcome others into our home, for it is a blessing, and it is an opportunity to reconnect with our brothers and sisters and share our love.
Posted by Sam | May 6, 2008 09:49 AM