Organizers expect hundreds of workers, immigrants and community supporters to come out for the 2009 Mayday Rally, entitled “Workers Seeking Justice for All” on Friday, May 1st in front of City Hall, Worcester. Speakers will address issues including community solutions to the economic crisis, immigration reform and raids, workers organizing and the Free Choice Act, and contributions that immigrants offer to the city. Several performers including Maury Kungfu’s Lion Dancers, Uruguayan Murga troupe “La Klandestina”, a multicultural youth hip-hop team from the Toxic Soil Busters, and Ritmos Dance Academy. http://WorcesterImmigrantCoalition.org
A group of spokespeople gathered at the SEIU Local 615 office Wednesday to announce the event. Members of the Worcester Immigrant Coalition addressed the situation of the immigration law in the US, stating that it is widely recognized as being broken and urgently needing reform, providing a viable path to legalization, and a halt to raids that break apart families and only punish workers who contribute to the economy.
Speakers on May 1st will include: Sarang Sekhavat, MIRA’s Director of Federal Policy; Randy Feldman, a local immigration lawyer and community activist; Rocio Saenz, president of SEIU Local 615; Wisam Breegi, an Iraqi immigrant who has started a successful goldsmith business; Adalberto, member of a new UNITE!/HERE union chapter in Worcester; Pastor Sarai Rivera of Christian Community Church; David Minasian, member of Carpenters Union Local 107; a representative from the Albanian organization, KOMBI; and Ron Madnick, director of ACLU of Central Mass. The group has also invited Kola Akindele, candidate for Worcester City Council, Brenda Jenkins, of Mosaic Cultural Complex; Congressman Jim McGovern; Crystal Then, Casa Cultural Dominicana member and Holy Cross student; and members of Maya K’Iche, who have been organizing in New Bedford since the large raid there over two years ago.
More information can be found at the Worcester Immigrant Coalition website: http://worcesterimmigrantcoalition.org
