Protesting Against Arizona's Unethical Laws, And For A Common Sense Solution

The first weekend of May brought heat and humidity up to N.Y.C., but it also brought out thousands of protesters across the nation who demanded that the U.S. government protect immigrants. Not only must radical, bigoted and totalitarian legislation such as that from Arizona be eliminated, but a comprehensive policy that comprehends the reality of immigration in the United States has to be instituted.

Here are few of the people who went out and marched this past May Day, care of "The Real News":

May Day Not Just About Labor Anymore

Yesterday labor groups held rallies to celebrate May Day and the efforts of the labor and union community that have established rights for workers worldwide. George Bush tried to put a damper on things by making May 1st a holiday, ironically for the rule of law. However another group made a much better push to further signify the first of May, that would be our nation's immigrants.

From The Gothamist:

Many hundreds of people marched yesterday to push immigration reform into the election year spotlight. With rallies being held in other cities in the country and world, the marchers gathered at Union Square and then headed down Broadway to the the Jacob Javits Federal Office Building, where immigrations officials have offices.

One demonstrator explained to NY1, "[May 1] is international workers’ day and in this country, as you may know, there are more than 280,000 working persons – men, women and children – that are in immigrant prisons. Honest families who have not done any crime, who are in prison and we’re marching in solidarity with them.”

Other demonstrators were touting other causes: Some calling for affordable housing, others for police justice after the Sean Bell shooting, while other wanted reforms in all areas.

With eight years of George Bush, reform is needed across the board. Everyone except for the very rich have suffered from the heartless policies he and his Administration have embraced. Today we march in protest of him, tomorrow we will start to make real changes that puts the people first and cronies of George Bush in their place.

Its Against The Law

I've been back in town for a few hours after an incredible weekend up in Mystic, CT (I highly recommend it for a weekend if you live nearby or are in the Northeast)......only to come back to reality and the news that encompasses it. One such story out of the multitude is that of Elvira Arellano. Elvira had been staying in a sanctuary in Chicago to stay out of the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement that wants to send her back to Mexico to carry out deportation orders. She came out to speak at a rally in Los Angeles, only to find herself being arrested and facing imminent deportation.

From The San Jose Mercury News:

Elvira Arellano, who arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday after leaving her sanctuary to campaign for immigration reform, was arrested around 1:30 p.m. outside Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church where she had been speaking to reporters, said the Rev. Walter Coleman, pastor of Adalberto United Methodist, the Chicago church.

Arellano was "being processed for removal to Mexico based upon a deportation order originally issued by a federal immigration judge in 1997," U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a news release.

Immigration activists promised protests and vigils to support her.

"We are sad, but at the same time we are angry," said Javier Rodriguez, a Chicago immigration activist who worked with her. "How dare they arrest this woman?"

"How dare they" is right. Elvira has been fighting for rights, both for herself and many in similar situations. She came to this country over ten years ago to work for a better life. Many people out there think that her deportation is not only following the law, but justified because she had eluded authorities for so long.

Since she has principles, speaking out in Los Angeles was the right thing to do. There is so much to be done and if her voice can help, then Ms. Arellano will step up. Now her activism is going to lead to deportation, no matter how many vigils we hold. The problem is that the "law" is a regressive measure that impedes the way America truly works. So many people want to come here to better their lives as Elvira was once doing. Now she is going to have to pay a price.

Yet what about the people that hire her? What happens to them? Why do they get away with paying ultra-low wages to undocumented workers while the bosses get rich from lower bottom lines. It is time to address the real issues here. People need to put down their hate for others who look "different" from the average WASP. America was founded and brought to glory on the backs of immigrants. Yet somehow there are so many out there that forget that integral piece of our history.

The law is the law, but it needs to be changed, so we can continue to be the country we know and love.