| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"_ G O D _" |
| Date: |
17 Nov 2005 09:57:54 PM |
| Object: |
Labor leaders emphasize migrants' contribution to Arizona |
Blank
Labor leaders emphasize migrants' contribution to Arizona
http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=7219
Tucson, Arizona
Arizona labor leaders met here to discuss the role and
weight in the state's economy of immigrant workers,
many of whom are in the country without a visa or a
Green Card, and to defend the efforts of volunteers
who provide food, water and first aid to migrants stranded
in the desert. "The contributions to the economy of
the state of Arizona by immigrants, documented or
undocumented, are innumerable," said Esteban Rodriguez,
an organizer with Local 5 of the Service Employees
International Union.
He said that many studies document immigrants'
contributions - as workers and taxpayers - to the state's
economy, where it is calculated that three million
undocumented foreigners live, according to the Pew
Hispanic Center.
"The immigrants are an engine not only for the economy of Arizona, but for the entire
country," Rodriguez told EFE on Wednesday during the Tucson conference.
The importance of immigrant labor is such that representatives of the hotel industry,
construction and agriculture support the creation of a guest worker program that
would allow legal U.S. entry for foreign workers.
In keeping with that stance, they have urged the U.S. Congress to approve immigration
reform that would facilitate the legalization of undocumented persons already living
in the country.
The lack of farmworkers in Yuma, Arizona, threatens the winter harvest of various
crops, one third of which could go to waste if insufficient workers are available to
bring them in. The losses would amount to millions of dollars, according to farmers
in the region.
During the conference, nearly a dozen union and labor organization leaders from
southern Arizona joined the campaign recently mounted by the group No More Deaths,
the slogan of which is "Humanitarian aid is never a crime." The campaign's aim is to
pressure the federal government to drop the charges against two members of the
organization who were arrested while transporting three undocumented migrants who
allegedly needed urgent medical care.
The incident occurred in July, when Daniel Strauss and Shanti Sellz were arrested by
the Border Patrol near the town of Arivaca.
If found guilty, the two volunteers could face up to 15 years in prison.
"(Giving) humanitarian aid should never be a crime," said Robert M. Martinez, the
AFL-CIO's representative in Arizona.
He added that one should never let a person die just because he or she lacks the
necessary documents to live legally in the United States.
Isabel Garcia, the president of the Arizona Human Rights Coalition, said she was very
happy with the AFL-CIO's February decision to include the rights of immigrants within
the larger discussion of labor rights in general.
"One should recall that in 1996, the AFL-CIO supported a federal law that imposed
economic sanctions on firms who were found to be employing undocumented immigrants,"
said Garcia.
"I'm happy that one of the largest workers' unions has joined our fight for the
rights of immigrants," she added.
--
_____________________________________________________
I intend to last long enough to put out of business all *****-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
___________________________________________________
--
.
|
|
| User: "_ G O D _" |
|
| Title: THE ONLY GOOD CONVICT IS A DEAD CONVICT ==> Labor leaders emphasize migrants' contribution to Arizona |
18 Nov 2005 10:37:56 AM |
|
|
On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:57:54 -0800, "_ G O D _" <demigod1@sprint.ca>
wrote:
Blank
Labor leaders emphasize migrants' contribution to Arizona
http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=7219
Tucson, Arizona
Arizona labor leaders met here to discuss the role and
weight in the state's economy of immigrant workers,
many of whom are in the country without a visa or a
Green Card, and to defend the efforts of volunteers
who provide food, water and first aid to migrants stranded
in the desert. "The contributions to the economy of
the state of Arizona by immigrants, documented or
undocumented, are innumerable," said Esteban Rodriguez,
an organizer with Local 5 of the Service Employees
International Union.
He said that many studies document immigrants'
contributions - as workers and taxpayers - to the state's
economy, where it is calculated that three million
undocumented foreigners live, according to the Pew
Hispanic Center.
"The immigrants are an engine not only for the economy of Arizona, but for the entire
country," Rodriguez told EFE on Wednesday during the Tucson conference.
The importance of immigrant labor is such that representatives of the hotel industry,
construction and agriculture support the creation of a guest worker program that
would allow legal U.S. entry for foreign workers.
In keeping with that stance, they have urged the U.S. Congress to approve immigration
reform that would facilitate the legalization of undocumented persons already living
in the country.
The lack of farmworkers in Yuma, Arizona, threatens the winter harvest of various
crops, one third of which could go to waste if insufficient workers are available to
bring them in. The losses would amount to millions of dollars, according to farmers
in the region.
During the conference, nearly a dozen union and labor organization leaders from
southern Arizona joined the campaign recently mounted by the group No More Deaths,
the slogan of which is "Humanitarian aid is never a crime." The campaign's aim is to
pressure the federal government to drop the charges against two members of the
organization who were arrested while transporting three undocumented migrants who
allegedly needed urgent medical care.
The incident occurred in July, when Daniel Strauss and Shanti Sellz were arrested by
the Border Patrol near the town of Arivaca.
If found guilty, the two volunteers could face up to 15 years in prison.
"(Giving) humanitarian aid should never be a crime," said Robert M. Martinez, the
AFL-CIO's representative in Arizona.
He added that one should never let a person die just because he or she lacks the
necessary documents to live legally in the United States.
Isabel Garcia, the president of the Arizona Human Rights Coalition, said she was very
happy with the AFL-CIO's February decision to include the rights of immigrants within
the larger discussion of labor rights in general.
"One should recall that in 1996, the AFL-CIO supported a federal law that imposed
economic sanctions on firms who were found to be employing undocumented immigrants,"
said Garcia.
"I'm happy that one of the largest workers' unions has joined our fight for the
rights of immigrants," she added.
--
_____________________________________________________
I intend to last long enough to put out of business all *****-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
___________________________________________________
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "" |
|
| Title: Re: Labor leaders emphasize migrants' contribution to Arizona |
18 Nov 2005 06:39:38 AM |
|
|
_ G O D _ wrote:
Blank
I am Shanti's Dad, and I just want to say that I am so grateful that you are coming forth for humanitarian aid. I don't know about the effects this has on labor issues, but we are all human beings and anything that is done to help keep another person alive cannot be faulted. I will come down to Arizona for Shanti's trial on Dec. 20th, and thank you from the depths of my heart for your support. I live in Iowa, and work in a nursing home that employs several African people - the company is hard -pressed to find people to work here, meaning Americans, and the African folks are very welcome and contribute to the welfare of our country. My grandparents - both sets - came from Russia in the early 1900s - they loved this country and always worked hard to be productive citizens. I know there are problems with the infiltration of "illegal" immigrants, but they deserve a chance too; if they come here to pursue the American dream, even if they don't succeed, it is a blessing to help keep them alive in their efforts. We can figure out the economic issues, but helping people is the highest calling, beyond any government or union protocol. Blessings,
Michael Sellz
Iowa City, Iowa
Labor leaders emphasize migrants' contribution to Arizona
http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=7219
Tucson, Arizona
Arizona labor leaders met here to discuss the role and
weight in the state's economy of immigrant workers,
many of whom are in the country without a visa or a
Green Card, and to defend the efforts of volunteers
who provide food, water and first aid to migrants stranded
in the desert. "The contributions to the economy of
the state of Arizona by immigrants, documented or
undocumented, are innumerable," said Esteban Rodriguez,
an organizer with Local 5 of the Service Employees
International Union.
He said that many studies document immigrants'
contributions - as workers and taxpayers - to the state's
economy, where it is calculated that three million
undocumented foreigners live, according to the Pew
Hispanic Center.
"The immigrants are an engine not only for the economy of Arizona, but for the entire
country," Rodriguez told EFE on Wednesday during the Tucson conference.
The importance of immigrant labor is such that representatives of the hotel industry,
construction and agriculture support the creation of a guest worker program that
would allow legal U.S. entry for foreign workers.
In keeping with that stance, they have urged the U.S. Congress to approve immigration
reform that would facilitate the legalization of undocumented persons already living
in the country.
The lack of farmworkers in Yuma, Arizona, threatens the winter harvest of various
crops, one third of which could go to waste if insufficient workers are available to
bring them in. The losses would amount to millions of dollars, according to farmers
in the region.
During the conference, nearly a dozen union and labor organization leaders from
southern Arizona joined the campaign recently mounted by the group No More Deaths,
the slogan of which is "Humanitarian aid is never a crime." The campaign's aim is to
pressure the federal government to drop the charges against two members of the
organization who were arrested while transporting three undocumented migrants who
allegedly needed urgent medical care.
The incident occurred in July, when Daniel Strauss and Shanti Sellz were arrested by
the Border Patrol near the town of Arivaca.
If found guilty, the two volunteers could face up to 15 years in prison.
"(Giving) humanitarian aid should never be a crime," said Robert M. Martinez, the
AFL-CIO's representative in Arizona.
He added that one should never let a person die just because he or she lacks the
necessary documents to live legally in the United States.
Isabel Garcia, the president of the Arizona Human Rights Coalition, said she was very
happy with the AFL-CIO's February decision to include the rights of immigrants within
the larger discussion of labor rights in general.
"One should recall that in 1996, the AFL-CIO supported a federal law that imposed
economic sanctions on firms who were found to be employing undocumented immigrants,"
said Garcia.
"I'm happy that one of the largest workers' unions has joined our fight for the
rights of immigrants," she added.
--
_____________________________________________________
I intend to last long enough to put out of business all *****-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
___________________________________________________
--
.
|
|
|
| User: "_ G O D _" |
|
| Title: Re: Labor leaders emphasize migrants' contribution to Arizona |
18 Nov 2005 08:09:14 PM |
|
|
<michaelsellzdc@msn.com> wrote in message
news:1132295978.230241.242770@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
_ G O D _ wrote:
I just want to say that I am so grateful that you are
coming forth for humanitarian aid. I don't know
about the effects this has on labor issues, but we
are all human beings and anything that is done to
help keep another person alive cannot be faulted.
I will come down to Arizona for Shanti's trial, and
thank you from the depths of my heart for your support.
I live in Iowa, and work in a nursing home that employs
several African people - the company is hard -pressed
to find people to work here, meaning Americans, and
the African folks are very welcome and contribute to
the welfare of our country. My grandparents - both sets -
came from Russia in the early 1900s - they loved this
country and always worked hard to be productive citizens.
I know there are problems with the infiltration of "illegal"
immigrants, but they deserve a chance too; if they come
here to pursue the American dream, even if they don't
succeed, it is a blessing to help keep them alive in their
efforts. We can figure out the economic issues, but
helping people is the highest calling, beyond any
government or union protocol. Blessings,
Michael Sellz
Iowa City, Iowa
I'm so glad to see at last a real appreciation of my 10-year
effort, expressed in your warm words to me, Michael. It is a
shame that *****-sucking sadistic americunts are treating
our kids with such disgrace as putting them in shackles for
their kindness toward the disadvantaged and misfortunate
fellow-beings. Their integrity and humanitarian action must
be rewarded, instead of met with such indignity on the part
of US authority which is obviously intending to fail them. ...
There are no aliens on this planet, as far as I'm concerned.
And there's no one illegal under the sun, regardless of one's
own heritage, his country of origin of a place of birth. I'm too,
came from former Russia, which has been renamed in 1995
into Churkia as a result of the world-wide referendum on the
Internet. Therefore I'm quite familiar with type of oppression
inflicted upon US' residents in perpetuation of its own gulag
economy.
The blatant hypocrisy, which is being practiced by the US'
ruling elite against the disadvantaged and helpless people
is so clear that it's impossible to do it without brazenness
and arrogance of tyrants toward defenseless population...
Isn't it obvious that the greedy establishment benefits from
the cheap labor of US' numerous sweatshops and from the
unfair exploitation of slave labor of defenseless hostages
of the incarceration industry in favor of illegal capitalization?
US' government is quite aware that both of them are being
in brutal violation of the sacred and inalienable human rights
which are being prescribed to every individual in the world
in the Universal Charter of Human Rights, and which is not
being honored by the US despotic establishment of the last
58 years despite the fact that US was one of the first to sign
this most important document in history of world civilization.
Nevertheless, US' ruling elites are deliberately perpetuating
existence of sweatshop practice and a slavery and genocide
of the predatory incarceration industry right from the day one
after proclamation of US Republic, which is still in existence.
I think that a conviction of children in smuggling will turn into
beginning of the end to the sadistic *****-suckers and the
rest of the beneficiaries of predatory incarceration industry.
Because it will help the folks to realize the illegal tactics of
completely corrupt US' rulers and perpetuation of unfairness
and violation of the sacred rights of people to life and liberty,
along with dignity, equality, justice and freedom of traveling.
I assure you, Mike, that if the government clerks weren't so
lazy and completely corrupt, and were really interested in
documenting the "illegals" in accommodation of formalities
of the law, they could do so on a fly without any problem.
Because the targeted "aliens"would have cooperated with
their documentation of getting an appropriate legal status
and a job permit. The sad fact is, they'd rather see people
aren't being fairly remunerated for their work because they
have a stake in the profits and the illegal capitalization from
unfair exploitation of under-paid labor, which also creates
an unfair competition to unionized labor by undermining
its bargaining powers, even if bargaining is being allowed
to them...
There's nothing to be scared of, because the law is on
the children's side, including the beginning of a good
cause for justice, fairness in labor remuneration tactics,
and restoration of the Human Rights to every unfairly
treated party, including release of children from prisons
and granting status to refugees who are willing to work
outside unfair practice of exploitation of slave workforce.
People want charges dropped against Shanti Sellz.
By Mike McWilliams
339-7360 or
mmcwilliams@press-citizen.com
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051112/NEWS01/511120313/1079"I think that it's just ridiculous that the government isgoing through with this prosecution," said MichaelSellz, father of 23-year-old Shanti Sellz. "It's strictlyhumanitarian aid. There's nothing political about itwhatsoever. It's human beings helping other humanbeings."Shanti Sellz, a 2000 City High graduate, is a volunteerwith the No More Deaths organization - a humanitariangroup that provides food, water and medical assistanceto Mexican migrants crossing the desert on foot. Borderpatrol agents arrested Sellz and Daniel Strauss, anothervolunteer, July 9 in Tucson, Ariz. They are reportedly thefirst two arrests in the five-year history of No More Deaths.According to news reports, three male immigrants hadbeen walking in the desert without sufficient water forthree days. All had complained of stomach illnessesand at least one had repeatedly vomited.According to No More Deaths, Sellz and Strauss hadfollowed protocol and had acted on the advice of a nurse,doctor and lawyer with the group. However, a grand jurycharged Sellz and Strauss on transportation of an illegalalien and conspiracy to transport an illegal alien. Their trialstarts Dec. 20, online court records show, and each facea maximum of five years in prison and $250,000 in finesif convicted.Sellz, who is taking college courses and substitute teachingin Tucson, Ariz., said while she remained confident that shewould be cleared of the charges, she was preparing herselffor prison."I'm preparing myself to be strong and confident and usingmy time in jail to continue to educate people and make surethe message continues," she said. "This work is necessaryand it will not stop."No More Deaths has since started a letter writing andpostcard campaign demanding U.S. Arizona DistrictAttorney Paul Charlton to drop the charges. Michael Sellzand Shanti's mother, Susan Rogusky, both of Iowa City,started distributing the information earlier this week.Rogusky said the goal of No More Deaths was to send10,000 postcards to Charlton. So far, Rogusky said, shehas been pleased with the response."I've been feeling so helpless and others who knew Shantihave been wanting to do something," Rogusky said."Hopefully, if we flood the office of the U.S. District Attorney,maybe they will drop the charges."A phone call made to Charlton was directed to IreneFeldman, the assistant U.S. attorney who is handlingthe case. Feldman declined to comment and referredquestions to office spokespeople.Patrick Schneider, criminal chief in the U.S. Attorney'sPhoenix office, said there have been numerous cardsand letters sent for and against Sellz and Strauss. Schneidersaid he did not know whether there were plans to drop thecharges."The only thing I can tell you is that the grand jury indictedthem on the charges and a jury will decide if they're guilty,"Schneider said.Sellz' parents said they planned to attend their daughter'strial next month."I'm scared to death," Rogusky said. "But I'm very proudof her."Death on TrialTwo activists test immigration's legal watersBy TIM VANDERPOOLhttp://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/currents/Content?oid=oid:70955Two college kids, shackled at ankle and waist, areprodded into a stern federal courtroom. The studentsare with No More Deaths, a church-based immigrantassistance faction. On July 9, near sleepy Arivaca,they were arrested and charged with what amountsto immigrant smuggling. Of course, no one truly believesthese kids are smugglers, or guilty of doing anythingother than what they claim: hauling three sun-sickmigrants to a waiting doctor.It is a game, nothing more, with death as referee.In the Southside Presbyterian Church, ReverendsStuart Taylor and John Fife lead yet another grimpress conference. To an angry, wall-to-pulpit crowd,they assail Border Patrol strategies that drive migrationdeep into the desert, and drive up Arizona's migrantbody count. Since Oct. 1, that count has topped 175.At Border Patrol headquarters, squat and fortifiedon West Ajo Way, Chief Michael Nicely most likelysits behind a very busy desk. He must contend withdeath, politics, vigilantes, bleeding hearts and policieshatched in Washington, D.C.--a world so far away, itmight as well be Mars. Still, even with all that, this selfstyled hard-liner must pause at times, pondering theelusive nature of good and evil.Nicely's agents certainly do, says Rev. Taylor, co-pastorat St. Mark's Presbyterian Church in midtown. "We'veexperienced a whole spectrum in our dealings withagents on the ground. We've actually had agents expresstheir appreciation and gratitude for the work we're doing."One time, he says, "a migrant in medical distress washanded over to an agent who came down the road. Theagent finished binding (the migrant's) blisters and thankedus for our work. It's that kind of cooperation we wishedwe were seeing across the board."Such synergy has reportedly vanished since Nicelyreplaced former Sector Chief David Aguilar, who waspromoted to agency head in July 2004. Clear-cut rulesfor assisting immigrants--from providing food and waterto emergency hospital runs on a doctor's advice--wereout the door, says Taylor. "We had worked out theseprotocols over many years with the Border Patrol. Butsince Chief Nicely has come into office, he has let usknow that the protocols, in good standing before histenure, were no longer going to be respected as workingagreements."That's baloney, says Border Patrol spokeswomanAndrea Zortman. "Both (former Chief) Aguilar andChief Nicely have gone on record and informed thegroups that if they are caught transporting (migrants),they will be arrested."If that's the case, however, some wonder why this isthe first high-profile arrest of volunteers from No MoreDeaths, or its sister group, Samaritans. Either way, theaction may have backfired. Eyebrows jumped whenthe U.S. Attorney's Office hustled out slap-on-the-wristplea deals for Shanti Sellz and Daniel Strauss--cushy,12-month diversion programs, in exchange for admittingthey'd picked up the migrant trio and "transported themto Tucson for the purposes of aid and hopefully to remainillegally in the United States thereafter." Attorney Bill Walker,who represents Sellz, characterizes that admission as"stupid. I think (prosecutors) realized they would have avery tough row to *****" in getting convictions.The U.S. Attorney's office won't discuss the plea deal,says spokeswoman Sandy Raynor. "I'm not able to speakabout it until it's accepted as a part of public record."But the question lingers: What exactly was Chief Nicelytrying to achieve with these arrests? For clues, we canexamine his comments from a closed-door meeting lastspring with religious leaders, including Rev. Fife andBishop Gerald Kicanas, of the Catholic Diocese of Tucson.The Tucson Weekly has gained access to audio tapesof this private parley, during which Nicely was bothcongenial and combative."I do not believe that death should be the sanction forillegal entry into the United States," he declares early inthe discussion. But the chief grows prickly when Rev.Fife asks about transporting migrants in medical emergencies."I'm telling you there's no special dispensation," Nicelytells the pastor. "If you are involved in an act that meetsall the elements of a criminal act, we're going to takeenforcement action."Then Chief Nicely adds a curious observation: "Aseveryone in this room knows," he says, "there's a longway from enforcement action to prosecution and conviction."Does that mean Nicely will arrest volunteers and haulthem to court--all at taxpayers' expense--while realizingthere's little chance of conviction? Absolutely not, accordingto Zortman. Instead, her boss was referring to the longinvestigative process following such arrests, she says."In no way did he mean, 'Oh, this is just going be a message.'"At the same time, immigration laws--and underlyingfederal strategies--as they apply to Sellz and Straussraise other questions. To clear things up, the Weeklycontacted Jean Rosenbluth, a law professor at the Universityof Southern California. She handled numerous immigrationcases as a federal prosecutor from 1995 to 2002. "Andas a federal prosecutor, you know about a million morecrimes than you can prosecute," Rosenbluth says. "If youcome across a case where there was an emergency,that's not a case that you prosecute." In the Tucson arrests,"maybe the prosecution thinks there's some sort of overstatementof what was going on ... ."On the other hand, there is some pressure (on the feds)to get tough on this stuff," she says. "And sometimes, they'retrying to create policy. One could surmise that perhaps they'regoing after (Sellz and Strauss) precisely to send the messagethat 'we're not going to let anyone--no matter what their motivesare--get away with this. It's a crime and that's it.'"But beware of unintended consequences, says Niels Frenzen,an immigration attorney and Rosenbluth's colleague at USC."It's certainly not a good use of law enforcement resourcesin this case, especially when the Border Patrol already knowswho these people are."Frenzen says the U.S. Attorney "may not want to drop thething, because one of their constituents is the Border Patrol,and the U.S. Attorney's office wants to maintain good relationswith the Border Patrol. But this really seems like one of thoseinstances where the U.S. Attorney should just drop the wholething, even if that pisses off the Border Patrol."Maybe so. Maybe not. Meanwhile, out in the desert, armiesof the dead continue keeping count.>>>>>> Labor leaders emphasize migrants' contribution to Arizona>>>> http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=7219>>>> Tucson, Arizona>> Arizona labor leaders met here to discuss the role and>> weight in the state's economy of immigrant workers,>> many of whom are in the country without a visa or a>> Green Card, and to defend the efforts of volunteers>> who provide food, water and first aid to migrants stranded>> in the desert. "The contributions to the economy of>> the state of Arizona by immigrants, documented or>> undocumented, are innumerable," said Esteban Rodriguez,>> an organizer with Local 5 of the Service Employees>> International Union.>> He said that many studies document immigrants'>> contributions - as workers and taxpayers - to the state's>> economy, where it is calculated that three million>> undocumented foreigners live, according to the Pew>> Hispanic Center.>> "The immigrants are an engine not only for the economy of Arizona, but for theentire>> country," Rodriguez told EFE on Wednesday during the Tucson conference.>> The importance of immigrant labor is such that representatives of the hotelindustry,>> construction and agriculture support the creation of a guest worker program that>> would allow legal U.S. entry for foreign workers.>> In keeping with that stance, they have urged the U.S. Congress to approveimmigration>> reform that would facilitate the legalization of undocumented persons alreadyliving>> in the country.>> The lack of farmworkers in Yuma, Arizona, threatens the winter harvest of various>> crops, one third of which could go to waste if insufficient workers are availableto>> bring them in. The losses would amount to millions of dollars, according tofarmers>> in the region.>> During the conference, nearly a dozen union and labor organization leaders from>> southern Arizona joined the campaign recently mounted by the group No More Deaths,>> the slogan of which is "Humanitarian aid is never a crime." The campaign's aim isto>> pressure the federal government to drop the charges against two members of the>> organization who were arrested while transporting three undocumented migrants who>> allegedly needed urgent medical care.>> The incident occurred in July, when Daniel Strauss and Shanti Sellz were arrestedby>> the Border Patrol near the town of Arivaca.>> If found guilty, the two volunteers could face up to 15 years in prison.>> "(Giving) humanitarian aid should never be a crime," said Robert M. Martinez, the>> AFL-CIO's representative in Arizona.>> He added that one should never let a person die just because he or she lacks the>> necessary documents to live legally in the United States.>> Isabel Garcia, the president of the Arizona Human Rights Coalition, said she wasvery>> happy with the AFL-CIO's February decision to include the rights of immigrantswithin>> the larger discussion of labor rights in general.>> "One should recall that in 1996, the AFL-CIO supported a federal law that imposed>> economic sanctions on firms who were found to be employing undocumentedimmigrants,">> said Garcia.>> "I'm happy that one of the largest workers' unions has joined our fight for the>> rights of immigrants," she added.>>>> -->> _____________________________________________________>>>> I intend to last long enough to put out of business all *****-suckers>> and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------>>>> "The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive>> Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or>> high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism>> does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It>> undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts>> sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it>> helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it>> reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~>> ___________________________________________________>> -->
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
