Immigrant Citizenship Demanded at Major Rally Today

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Tens of thousands of immigrants from across the Washington region will rally this afternoon on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol “to fix our broken immigration system.” The “Time is Now” rally – which starts at 3p – is part of a coordinated nationwide effort by Hispanic, labor and church groups to push for immigration reform. “Our immigration system is broken,” said Metro Council President Jos Williams, “and U.S.-born workers as well as aspiring citizens are paying a heavy price. America needs an immigration process that works for working people—not a system that benefits corporate employers at the expense of everyone else.” Many in the national and local labor movement are supporting the rally, with endorsements ranging from the Metro Washington Council, ATU 689 and Rodmen 201 to the American Federation of Teachers, Communications Workers and more, including a busload of UFCW 1994 MCGEO members and staff. “We support an immigration system that reflects our values and treats all immigrants with the respect and dignity they deserve,” says UFCW 400’s Tony Perez. “Comprehensive immigration reform must create a path to citizenship for the 11 million aspiring Americans living in and contributing to the United States.”  Added SEIU 32BJ Capital Area Director Jaime Contreras,“The time for immigration reform is now!”  “No more attacks on the immigrant community, no more empty promises. The sleeping giant is wide awake and watching!” - image courtesy CASA de Maryland