Freedom Ride Calls for
Justice and Rights

Historic Immigrant Worker Rally

by Colin Rajah

Latinas at this rally in Detroit were among the 1,000 freedom riders who toured the country before joining 100,000 people for an historic immigrant rights rally in New York on Oct. 4.

In an historic gathering on Oct. 4, 100,000 people converged on Flushing Meadows in New York, calling for justice for immigrants. "We come from all over the world to look for work, but we are treated badly, like second or third class citizens!" exclaimed Isela Díaz originally from Michoacán, Mexico as she held back tears. "We deserve citizenship because we work and live here, and to be united with our families."

The rally was the culmination of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride (IWFR) that kicked off in 10 cities on Sept. 20. More than 1,000 riders visited 100 cities on their way to the New York rally. The Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union (HERE) initiated the historic immigrant action.

John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO, marked the occasion by declaring, "Immigrant rights are the labor movement's number one priority."

The IWFR follows in the footsteps of the Civil Rights' Freedom Rides of the 1960s that challenged racial segregation. The Freedom Ride called for legalization, citizenship, family reunification and labor rights protections and civil liberties. Organizers say that the Bush administration has scapegoated immigrants since Sept. 11, making their demands even more urgent.

"My employers and their clients always humiliated me and made fun of my accent," said 52-year old home-care worker Grace Manawatao from the Philippines. "I felt I was underpaid and over-worked, but I was afraid to say anything because I might lose my job or be deported. I rode the bus from Alameda, Calif. to New York because I believe immigrant workers deserve dignity, respect, fair treatment, decent working conditions and civil rights like everyone else," she added.

DETAINED BY HOMELAND SECURITY

Anti-immigrant groups threatened the Freedom Ride with violent counter-protests. Dave Glaser, IWFR National Coordinator, sought municipal police escorts after the buses received numerous threats.

Two buses going through Sierra Blanca, Texas, were detained for over three hours at an immigration checkpoint in the name of "homeland security." Border Patrol agents demanded to know each rider's immigration status. Instead, the freedom riders sang Civil Rights songs and remained silent in the face of angry questioning, only showing agents a card that proclaimed their right to an attorney.

The riders were subsequently arrested and put into holding cells. They were released only after members of Congress intervened on their behalf.

Eunice Cho of the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights coordinated the educational workshops for the Freedom Ride. Cho, the daughter of Korean immigrants, underscores the timeliness of the IWFR. "When I was growing up in Arizona, it was not uncommon to face racism or for friends to suddenly disappear because they were deported. Since Sept. 11 immigrants have become a target of Bush's 'war on terrorism,' so its even more critical to raise awareness of immigrant rights in the U.S."

The Freedom Ride was strongly supported by the AFL-CIO. "Since 2000 the labor movement has made a significant shift from a previously anti-immigrant position," said Glaser. He added that while this is still a work in progress and more outreach needs to be made to immigrant communities, it has already struck an emotional chord that can only make both movements stronger.

History has plenty to teach us, according to Cho. "The IWFR was a significant way to build on the legacy of racial justice in this country."

Colin Rajah coordinates the international program at the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

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