The election of Donald Trump as president unleashed a wave of anti-immigrant policies: the Muslim travel ban, restricting refugees, preparing to build a wall on border with Mexico, and ending Temporary Protective Status for hundreds of thousands of Caribbean and Central Americans. The Trump administration is stepping up raids and workplace audits to deport even more immigrants and put them out of work and, last but not least, ending the Deferred Action for Child Arrival or DACA program, putting some 700,000 youth raised in this country at risk of deportation.
La elección de Donald Trump hizo una ola de políticas antiinmigrantes: la prohibición musulmana de viajar, restringir a los refugiados, prepararse para construir una pared en la frontera con México y poner fin al Estatus de Protección Temporal para cientos de miles de caribeños y centroamericanos. La administración de Trump está intensificando las redadas y auditorías en lugares de trabajo para deportar a más inmigrantes y dejarlos sin trabajo y poner fin a la Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia o el programa DACA, poniendo en riesgo a 700,000 jóvenes en este país deportación.
Denver, CO – Denver Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) held a gathering in front of the Colorado capitol building on May 1 to celebrate International Workers Day. The Front Range Socialist Party and John Brown Gun Club held a food and clothing drive at the same location.
Waukesha, WI – Over 10,000 workers and community members marched in Waukesha, on May 1, as part of a “Day Without Latinos and Immigrants” statewide general mobilization. Protesters demanded Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson not turn his deputies into ICE agents through the 287(g) program. This same initiative was proposed in Madison in 2016 and was quickly struck down due to massive people’s mobilizations. Across the U.S., other cities also marched to protest the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrant communities.
Minneapolis, MN – Several hundred people marched for nearly three miles in south Minneapolis May 1 for immigrant and workers’ rights. The march on International Workers Day was initiated by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and endorsed by 46 organizations and unions, including the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Regional Labor Federations and many individual unions.
San Jose, CA – On May 1, more than 500 people marched from the Chicano/Mexicano community on the eastside of San Jose to downtown, where they rallied at City Hall. A broad range of community, labor, and student groups participated.
Grand Rapids, MI – Nearly 1000 immigrant rights supporters marched over three miles to downtown Grand Rapids. Mexican, Central American and Caribbean mothers and fathers pushed babies in strollers and young people chanted in unison, demanding immigration reform from Trump and the U.S. Congress.
Minneapolis, MN – Over 125 people gathered together for the Twin Cities Freedom Road Socialist Organization’s annual International Worker’s Day program, April 28. The night started with dinner and conversation. Childcare was provided.
Salt Lake City, UT – Shouts of “Stand up! Fight back!” echoed off the buildings of downtown Salt Lake City April 28 as more than 40 people gathered to celebrate working-class victories on May Day.
Los Angeles, CA – This spring has brought a rising tide of protests in the in the primarily Chicano communities of East Los Angeles (ELA) and Boyle Heights. The community has taken to the street to protest privatization of public schools, for student rights, and against police terror. Preparations are underway for a powerful May Day protest that will unite the community on the many issues, with the main demands being “Legalization for all” and “No deportations.”
