PRESS CONFERENCE INVITATION
PLACE:
Tuesday, July 4, 2006 10 A.M.
Fountain Plaza
Fruitvale BART Station
Oakland, California
PRESS CONTACTS:
María Poblet (510) 684-1220
Christopher Punongbayan (310) 985-0577
Ramón Cardona (510) 776-802
José Sandoval (408) 203-1696
On the anniversary of Independence Day in the Bay Area, the United Regional
Group for the Rights of Immigrants in the United States, a network of
religious, labor, civic, and community organizations declares the following:
1. In 1776, the people bravely declared their independence and fought heavy
battles against the yoke and illegitimate control by Great Britain until
British expulsion was achieved. In that era, when the Demographic Statistics
Census indicated a population of 2.5 million, many of these patriots were
immigrants or descendents of European immigrants.*
2. 230 years after this heroic struggle for independence, and in recognition
of the incredible and fundamental contribution of immigrants in the
construction of this country, another courageous battle shakes the moral
fiber of our nation and demands the best from us. On this occasion, 11
million undocumented immigrants from many countries are struggling to attain
legalization for their migrant status in order to be free of the persecution
and repression they suffer, and to correct the grotesque and dehumanizing
public image promoted by certain politicians, racist groups, and xenophobic
individuals.
3. In the U.S., those of us who defend the human and civil rights of
immigrants have been advocating for just and equitable laws for years. This
year, 2006, is a historic year because millions of immigrants and their
supporters took to the street and public plazas to protest against the
proposed HR4437 law and to demand a law granting full and just legalization
for those who work, pay taxes, and have no criminal record.
4. As Congress denigrates immigrants by discussing sterile proposals that do
not integrally address the dysfunctional and damaging immigration system in
the country, our movement continues to live and to grow, to strengthen in
our internal unity, in creating necessary regional and national structures,
and in maintaining our firm commitment to continue this work until just,
humanitarian, and practical laws are put into place.
5. The global economic and financial restructuring is victimizing millions
of workingwomen and men throughout the world, forcing them to emigrate in
order to seek options for the survival of their families. Those who have
come to the U.S. have contributed to the strengthening of the economy by
working at the lowest paying and worst jobs that exist, and have enriched
the diversity and development of their communities. By the same token, they
also contribute to the economies and stability of their countries of origin
with the money they send home.
6. It is the time for audacious decisions, just as it was on this day more
than two centuries ago when some leaders decided to shake off the yoke of
colonialism, now our country needs authentic leaders from the people, in
Congress and in the White House, who recognize the value and humanity of
undocumented immigrants, and who struggle vigorously for full and
unconditional legalization that will allow for permanent legal residency.
7. Our demands are:
A. No to the proposal HR4437 and its cowardly version, S2611
B. No to the militarization of the borders and consequent increasing deaths
C. No to the criminalization of immigrants and their supporters
D. No to the visiting worker program, which is nothing but a plan for modern
slavery
E. Yes to a full legalization that grants permanent legal residency without
fines or conditions
F. Yes to total respect for the civil liberties and human rights of
immigrants
* It is essential to include here that in the process of establishing the
republic of the United States, the native population was massacred and
dislodged from their territories and their centuries-old culture and
ancestral lifestyle brutalized. The struggle of the Native American Indians
continues to this day for sovereignty, self-determination, and the
recognition of their Rights, Traditional Culture, and Sacred Lands.
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