Right to the City

Support members of the Congress of Day Laborers defend their civil and labor rights. “The main reason people don’t stand up for themselves and defend their own rights,” says Josue Diaz, “is because they’re afraid of being deported.” Josue should know. He was arrested and put in deportation proceedings – all for having the courage to speak out. He was hired to clean up after Hurricane Ike, but Josue and other immigrant workers were denied safety gear for working in toxic sludge – and then weren’t paid the wages they were owed. When he helped organize a strike, Josue’s employer called the police. Josue is just one of 32 civil rights and labor organizers in the South facing deportation just because they stood up for their rights.  This is not only morally wrong, but it also violates a new policy issued last year by the Obama Administration. Click here to tell Secretary Napolitano to stop deporting these community organizers: http://signon.org/sign/janet-napolitano-stop The Obama Administration issued a new policy to stop the practice of deporting labor organizers and civil rights defenders after advocates demanded change.  But immigration officials in charge of 5 Southern states are refusing to follow orders.   To add…

On Tuesday April 17th RTC came out 1,500 people strong in Boston’s Financial District to demand major corporations and the wealthiest 1% pay their fair share and fund our communities. The protests are part of a growing, nationwide movement called the 99% Power  against big corporations, the rich and politicians who have created an economic emergency for the 99% through rampant tax dodging. While tax day actions were held all over the country, the Boston activities were by far the largest and included rolling actions throughout the day linking demands around transit justice, jobs for youth, a new economy, divestment from the wars, foreclosure defense and much more!