Los Angeles, CA – On the afternoon of March 8, at Boyle Heights Hollenbeck Park, located in the heart of the barrio, activists and community members celebrated International Women’s Day by demanding, ‘Legalize my mom!’ People of all ages were present.

This upcoming April, the Supreme Court of the U.S. hears arguments on the case on Deferred Action. Deferred Action for Parents of Americans or DAPA would give temporary status to millions of undocumented in the U.S. It would protect them from deportations, allow them to get jobs, and in some states even driver’s licenses.

Centro CSO, the organizer of the International Women’s Day rally, demands that the U.S. Supreme Court uphold the Executive Action granting temporary Deferred Action for all who qualify. Centro CSO also demands legalization for all, not discrimination.

The celebration started with a speeches and chants. Sol Marquez said, “Countless fights are led and organized by women. We have to also acknowledge that in places like East LA, we are also being murdered, harassed and even deported. Chicanas are fighting back, and today was a perfect example. We're fighting to legalize our mothers!”

The group enjoyed food and music and signed a large poster letter that will be sent to the U.S. Supreme Court. The letter demands they stop the deportations of women and mothers in Boyle Heights and that the U.S. Supreme Court rule for Deferred Action now.

Participants chanted, “Policia, la migra, la misma porqueria!” and “What do we want? Legalization? For Who? My mama!”

Paola Lozada, who lives in Boyle Heights, spoke about moving from Mexico to Los Angeles by herself. She moved when she was ten years old.

Jezebel Deleon said, “ “My parents from Sinaloa were able to obtain their green card, but nowadays many children of the undocumented are put in foster care and are given up to adoption once their parents are deported. I am here to support from now until the end. Everything that has to do with the current structure is with much corruption. Never stop fighting for what's right, never stay quiet whether it be at work, or in the streets. We should be proud of what we are and fighting for La Raza!”

National immigrant rights and anti-war leader Carlos Montes closed out the speeches by condemning the brutal murder of two young Chicanos in February by LA law enforcement: Jose Mendez, age 16 and Edwin Rodriguez, 24. Montes stated that this oppression is the same as the ICE (migra) killings, detentions and deportations. He asked people to acknowledge the femicide of Mexican woman in Juarez, Mexico. Montes also asked the crowd to respect the memory of the great activist and Chicano communist leader from San Antonio, Texas – Emma Tenayuca, “a militant women leader in our community.”

Centro CSO called for a mass march in Boyle Heights for May Day 2016, to demand equality for Latinos and Legalization for All.

#LosAngelesCA #ImmigrantRights #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #InternationalWomensDay #CentroCSO #BoyleHeights #legalizationForAll