Updated Notes ~ May 1 Immigration Reform Rally : IMC Worcester

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April 28th Community Update (please forward so EVERYONE knows!
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El Gran Paro Americano 2006
The Great American Boycott is growing every day in Worcester!

No School
No Work
Buy Nothing
Sell Nothing

Download fliers in: English Spanish Albanian Portuguese Vietnamese
http://worcester.indymedia.org/news/2006/04/2820.php

The BOYCOTT continues to grow!
Twelve Massachusetts towns/cities now have announced rallies and boycotts.
(http://www.miracoalition.org/issues/federal/immigration-reform3/may1)

In Worcester, more local businesses are announcing every day that they will stay closed. Today, “Maria’s Kitchen” in the heart of Main South announced that WILL NOT OPEN all day, adding their name to the list of local businesses supporting the boycott. Regardless of people's opinions, the boycott is real and growing in Worcester and we all need to support every store that closes on Monday and ask every undecided store owner to join the boycott!

Most importantly we need to support every worker and every student that makes the personal decision of conscience to stay home from school or from work. We need to support everyone that makes this decision and we need to make certain that no students, no workers are punished for their act of community participation.

The RALLY continues to grow!
Speakers from all of Worcester’s largest immigrant communities are being asked to speak for 3 minutes at the May 1 rally. Over 20 speakers will paint a broad picture of their communitie’s hopes and dreams. Every ethnic community is also being asked to bring their demands to the City Hall rally. A list of requests is being made to let local, state and elected leaders in Washington, D.C. know what Ghanians, Dominicans, Albanians and everyone else want and request from their government leaders. We want change and we want it NOW!

The MARCHES continue to grow!
In addition to the rally a growing number of groups have announced special plans to assemble and march to the Rally. Other groups are forming and are encouraged to promote their plans throughout the community.

ALL STUDENTS ~ 3:30, Main St. at Clark University
DOMINICANS ~ 3:30 at 685 Main St. (Mandi's Travel)
PLEASANT ST. NEIGHBORS ~ 3:15 at 301 Pleasant St. (PSNNC) [unconfirmed]
LATINOS ~ 3:30pm @ Centro Las Americas, 11 Sycamore St. [unconfirmed]

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ONGOING OUTREACH EFFORTS ! !
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* * * GOTV MOBILIZATION EFFORTS * * *

FRIDAY APRIL 28
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*Outreach at housing developments;
Meet at the main entrance to Plumley Village (16 Laurel St.) at 3pm

*Banner-making party at 3pm in the Craft Studio in the basement of the University Center at Clark Univ.

SATURDAY APRIL 29
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*Outreach @ Ecuadorian soccer (it's the Finals!) Groups meeting at BOTH schools
3pm ~ Elm Park Community School (23 N. Ashland Street)
3pm ~ Belmont St. Community School (170 Belmont St.) fyi..Great food also available

SUNDAY APRIL 30
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*Banner-making
2pm – 5pm+ -- Location to be determined

* Outreach Schedule
Morning ~ Roberto Clemente Field, Great Brook Valley (details pending)
3:30pm ~ Worcester County Courthouse (Main St. Steps) for the Catholic prayer vigil against the criminalization of immigrants and workers, followed by door-door outreach at Great Brook Valley. Meet promptly at 3:30 at courthouse. Extra vehicles appreciated.

Download fliers in: English Spanish Albanian Portuguese Vietnamese
http://worcester.indymedia.org/news/2006/04/2820.php

Ongoing updates:
http://worcester.indymedia.org

Este Dia No Consumiremós NADA
No Trabajo
No Escuela
No Ventas
No Compras …

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EARLIER GROUP PLANNING
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“IMMIGRATION REFORM RALLY”
Rally will begin at 4pm, and will continue until at least 6pm.
Event to be officially called, “Immigration Reform Rally”
Diversity of community speakers and performers absolutely essential.
Committee will focus on 4-6pm event and mobilization.
Other groups (Clark U, Centro) will be encouraged to hold supportive events earlier or later in the day.

THREE THEMES
1/ Respect for ALL Immigrants
2/ Fair and Just Immigration Law Reform
3/ Today We March ~ Tomorrow We Vote!

A majority of attendees expressed strong concern about the organizing committee actively encouraging immigrants to boycott work or leave school. Participants have heard of students and workers already saying they are planning to join the boycott. Group will not encourage walkouts, but will support those that choose to boycott on their own. Including a broad diversity of immigrant groups is essential. Sub-groups encouraged to develop fliers that reflect their own groups/ideas/languages.

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PROPOSALS NEEDING CONTINUED DISCUSSION
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PARTNERSHIPS/POSSIBLE SPONSORS
There was a wide variety of institutions in attendance; African CDC, Iglesia Cristiana de la Comunidad, Centro Las Americas, Friendly House, Rhema Gospel Church International, WACC, Casa Cultural Dominicana de Worcester, Worcester Indymedia, Vocero Hispano, Power 1310 and others. The organizing committee will be asking these groups and others to support/sponsor the May 1 event/s.

ADDITIONAL MAY 1ST OPTIONS
* Maintain a full day presence 9am -5pm at some central location for students and workers that may choose to boycott school/work.

* Video presentation all day/evening of “Day Without Immigrants” at rally site, Clark U. or Centro.

* Strong interest in holding rally at City Hall.

MOBILIZATION
* Strong feeling that there needs to be a commitment to mobilize immigrants from all communities and guarantee a diversity of voices/opinions are able to speak.

* Centro is prepared to play an “agressive role”, offer to have some staff and volunteers distribute leaflettes in morning at Worcester schools and other public places.

* Necessary to use all local media to the full extent

* Group needs multi-lingual fliers, posters and banners.