Police Later Attack Second Rally at MacArthur Park

Los Angeles, CA – 100,000 enthusiastic demonstrators took the streets here May 1. Marching up Broadway to a mass rally at City hall, they demanded legalization for undocumented immigrant workers and an end to raids and deportations. The event was well organized and included security for the protest. The event was led by the March 25 Coalition, which has brought together dozens of community and labor groups, including Latinos Against War.

Los Angeles, CA – “The struggle continues for legalization and to beat back the new attacks of the Bush administration, including the new policy of beefing up ICE enforcement at worksites and further militarization the border,” says Carlos Montes, one of the organizers of the planned Aug. 18 mass march for immigrant rights. The L.A. march will start at noon at Olympia and Broadway. Large-scale civil disobedience is set for the same week

Chicago, IL – A hundred supporters of Elvira Arellano and her son Saul gathered here, Aug. 19, in the pouring rain outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building. They were protesting the arrest and detention of Elvira earlier that day in Los Angeles. At a 10:00 p.m. emergency press conference, they demanded her freedom and to know her current location and status.

Los Angeles, CA – More than 4,000 people marched here, Aug. 18 in support of immigrant rights.

Los Angeles, CA – The We Are All Elvira & Saulito Unity Coalition held a successful protest here, Oct. 12, in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters, demanding an end to raids and deportations. The protest brought together many immigrant rights, religious, community and anti-war groups that have been active in the fight for the legalization of undocumented immigrants.

Minneapolis, MN – More than 300 immigrants and immigrant rights supporters marched on Lake Street through the heart of the Latino community, Feb. 16. The people filled the streets with chants of, “Si se puede!” (Yes we can!) and, “Pawlenty, escucha, estamos en la lucha!” (Pawlenty, listen, we are in the struggle!).

Chicago, IL – A massive demonstration for immigrant rights will take place here May 1. The International Workers Day protest has the support of more than 100 labor, community and religious organizations, including the March 10 Movement and Centro Sin Fronteras.

Chicago, IL – 20,000 people joined a massive demonstration for immigrant rights here on May 1. The International Workers Day protest was backed by more than 100 Latino, labor, community and religious organizations, including the March 10 Movement and Centro Sin Fronteras.

St. Paul, MN – 1000 people marched to the Minnesota State Capitol on May 1, International Workers Day, in support of immigrant and workers’ rights. Marchers demanded a stop to the immigration raids and deportations that target immigrant workers and families. They also called for legalization for all undocumented workers. The rally started in a park overlooking the Mississippi River, marched through downtown Saint Paul and ended at the State Capitol.

San José, CA – On May 1, 1500 youth, families, workers and other community members gathered in east San José to demand legalization, an end to the raids and deportations and respect for human, civil, and labor rights.

Los Angles, CA – More than 10,000 immigrant workers and their supporters took to the streets here, May 1, to demand legalization, an end to raids and deportations, justice for the undocumented and an end to the war in Iraq. Three marches converged on downtown Los Angeles for the massive rally.

Postville, IA – More than a thousand people gathered in the small town of Postville, Iowa, July 27, to protest the largest immigration raid in U.S. history – the raid took place here at the Agriprocessor kosher meat processing plant – and to demand an end to such immigration raids. On May 12, about 400 immigrant workers, mostly from Guatemala and Mexico, who worked at the plant were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Most were either put in jail or deported.

Los Angeles, CA – Immigrant rights activists formed a human chain around the federal building, March 25 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the mega-march that filled LA streets.

Los Angeles, CA – Students and their families gathered here Oct. 10 to oppose raids on the undocumented by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Chants included demands for equal rights and full equality now, to stop racist raids, detentions and deportations and for the defeat of John McCain.

Asheville, NC – Demonstrations were held in Asheville, North Carolina and neighboring Hendersonville Oct. 12 against recent raids by ICE, the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. ICE recently raided Mills Manufacturing, a military contractor that produces parachutes for the Army. Over 50 workers were detained in the raid. Many of these workers have families and strong ties to the community.

Civil disobedience at ICE on May 6 also to demand “Stop the raids and deportations”

Minneapolis, MN – On May 1 – International Workers Day – a mass march and street festival is planned here to demand immigrant and workers’ rights. The march will begin at 4:00 pm on Lake Street and 13th Avenue, in the heart of Minneapolis's Latino community. The march is initiated by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Coalition (MIRAc), which has organized many of the immigrant rights protests in the Twin Cities since it formed in the wave of mass marches in spring 2006. (see below for posters promoting the march)

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following resolution passed by Locals 10 and 19 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. It calls on port workers to stop work on May 1, International Workers Day, and participate in the Great American Boycott II for immigrants rights. Work stoppages will take place in the California cities of Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle, Richmond, Benicia and Redwood City.