The May Day Union Square Coalition
MEDIA ADVISORY
CONTACTS: Michael Bellamy (216) 571-4517
EN ESPANOL: Daniel Vila (718) 414-9558
Email: bellamymichaeld@gmail.com vila4000@hotmail.com
New York and New Jersey Community-Based Groups Call for a Strike to Defend Migrants, Refugees and All Workers on May 1
New York, NY — On May 1,2017, the International Workers Day, organizations all over New York City and New Jersey are calling to shut it down and strike to defend migrants, refugees and all workers. These groups, ranging from immigrants rights groups, workers groups and progressive labor unions to anti-imperialist organizations, and community based organizations, are calling for a mobilization on May 1, 2017 at Union Square at 12PM, with a teach-in at 2:30PM, and a march at 5PM.
Attacks against migrants and workers have increased in the fascist climate of Trump’s regime. From the ban against refugees and migrants from 7 Muslim countries, the increasing raids and deportations of immigrants, and criminalization of black and brown bodies, the Trump administration has openly espoused the violence of the U.S. state against marginalized communities that previous administrations have also perpetuated.
US wars are directly responsible for thousands of civilian deaths and the creation of millions of refugees. In March 2017, more Syrian civilians were killed by US-led coalitions than ISIS or Russian-led forces combined. Since the Syrian war broke out in 2011, almost 5 million Syrians have become refugees fleeing their home country to escape the horrors of this imperialist war. The destruction of an entire country following US intervention is nothing new to us. We have seen this pattern in examples such as Iraq under President Bush and Libya under President Obama. These wars that force people from their homes are waged in the name of profit of the U.S.
The U.S. further profits from migrants and refugees that come to the U.S. Throughout the history of the US, the massive wealth of this nation has been built on Black slave labor and exploitation of cheap immigrant labor.
Convenors and endorsers of the mobilization at Union Square stands against the attacks of the Trump administration on migrants, refugees and all workers. We say:
STOP THE RAIDS AND DEPORTATIONS
END FORCED MIGRATION
NO TO US WARS OF AGGRESSION
END THE CRIMINALIZATION OF BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE
Current speakers include International League of Peoples’ Struggle, International Migrants Alliance, Somos Los Otros, NY, Workers World Party, Frente Unido de Inmigrantes Ecuatorianos, Frente Hispano, Asociacion de Troncalenos residentes en el exterior, New York State Youth Leadership Council, CUNY Student Walk-Out, Workers Justice Project, South Asian Fund for Education,Scholarship and Training (SAFEST), Postal Defenders, Sisa Pakari Cultural & Labor Center, Domestic Workers United, People’s Power Assembly, Committee to Stop FBI Repression, Justice Committee, mother of Ramarley Graham, mother of Mohammed Bahs, Pakistan USA Freedom Forum, BAYAN, Nodutdol, Labor for Palestine, Green Party, Sane Energy Project, Students for Justice in Palestine, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Association of Legal Aid Attorneys – UAW Local 232, Queens Solidarity Coalition, Serve the People Awaken Revolutionary Consciousness (SPARC), MACC, Audre Lorde Project, Defend Democracy in Brazil, Nation2Nation Organizers, Split Rock, International Working Women’s Coalition, CAAAV, Equality for Flatbush, Laundry Workers Center, Cosecha, Hoods4Justice, International Action Center,
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For more information on the conveners and endorsers of the May 1st Union Square mobilization, please visit our facebook event page: tinyurl.com/unionsq2017
