Immigrant Power

AFSCME members across the country joined over a million immigrants and their supporters during nationwide demonstrations in April and May calling for comprehensive immigration reform. Proposed legislation in Congress — which protesters consider a threat to civil and human rights — triggered spontaneous mass actions in several cities, culminating in "A National Day of Action" (followed by "A Day Without Immigrants" on May 1).

In New York City, thousands converged for a City Hall Park rally, with members from DC 37, Council 1707 and the Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME Local 1000 adding a large splash of green. Among the speakers was Maf Misbah Uddin, president of Local 1407 (DC 37). "Immigrant workers helped build America and they deserve to participate fully in the political and economic life of this country," he declared. "For their hard work, they must be rewarded, not punished."

Detroit's Clark Park drew about 2,000 protesters, including a few dozen from Child Care Providers Together Michigan (CCPTM)/AFSCME and Local 542 (Council 25). Representing them at the May 1 rally was Beverly Kindle-Walker, a CCPTM member and volunteer member organizer.

At a massive rally in Portland, Ore., Council 75 Exec. Dir. — and International vice president — Ken Allen shared the platform with speakers from the state capitol, churches, labor unions and grassroots organizations. They affirmed two basic messages: immigration reform should be fair and just; that all workers in this country must be treated with dignity and respect.

In the nation's capital, dozens of AFSCME demonstrators from Council 26 and Council 20 marched past the White House along with tens of thousands of Latino, African, Middle Eastern and Asian immigrants. Waving American flags and chanting "¡Sí, se puede! [Yes, we can]," their presence on the Mall sent a strong message to official Washington.