Aurora City Council considering criminalizing day laborers

City Council Hearing and Rally TONIGHT

WHAT: Rally and Testimonies at City Council Meeting to Oppose Anti-Day-Laborer Ordinance

WHERE: Steps of Aurora Municipal Building 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora, CO 80012

RALLY: 6:30pm
HEARING: 7:30pm

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS
_________________________________________________________________
UPDATE 7/15/2008

The City Council delayed their vote on this issue last night. Several City Council members were not present. The Council expressed a desire for "more community input". Several members of the council who are opposed to a change in the ordinance wanted to have the vote. Several members, including the sponsor, voted to postpone the vote. Stay posted for more details on the next hearing date. Thanks to all who gave up their Monday night for the rally and testimony!

_________________________________________________________________
7/10/2008
The Aurora City council will consider a new ordinance which would place El Centro, and other non-profit employment centers, under the same code as for-profit temporary employment centers. If passed, El Centro will not be able to purchase property close to where day laborers and employers currently meet.

Come out on Monday to the Rally and stay to give testimony.

WHAT: Rally and Testimonies at City Council Meeting to Oppose Anti-Day-Laborer Ordinance

WHERE: Steps of Aurora Municipal Building 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora, CO 80012

WHEN: Monday, July 14, 2008 Rally at 6:30p.m. (7:30p.m. City Council Meeting)

BACKGROUND
For the last two years the City of Aurora has been escalating their constant harassment against the day laborers who congregate in the intersection of Dayton Street and Colfax Avenue.

Their actions include wrongfully ticketing of day laborers for trespassing; threatening to close down the business owned by a Hispanic woman who gave supported workers by allowing them to seek refuge on her property while waiting for work; and police calling building owners to intimidate them into not renting or selling their buildings to Centro Humanitario.

After the Peter Boyles Show, which hosted Mayor Ed Tauer and other city officials, the Colorado Minutemen Project has shown up to harass the day laborers at Dayton and Colfax.

Since our first call for help on June 16, 2008, the City of Aurora has amended their current laws regarding the control of temporary employment agencies to include non profits, specifically agencies that provide assistance to day laborers.

The City of Aurora is meticulously reviewing and amending their current laws to make sure the ordinance against day laborers is “perfectly enforceable.”

For more information, please call Centro Humanitario:

Photo Taken by Heather A. Longway-Burke

Monday: Protest the Aurora Expansion of the GEO Immigrant Dente

"There is something morally wrong about the privatization of prisons and detention centers.”

Rev. Patrick Demmer,
Graham Memorial Community Church

"When the goals of the city are achieved…
- Aurora’s diversity continues to be celebrated as an essential
characteristic of the community.
- Public, private, and religious organizations meet the educational
and service delivery needs of immigrants.
- Aurora has no households that are isolated from the community
by a language barrier.
- Immigrants continue to take advantage of abundant opportunities
to assimilate or acculturate, and fully participate in civic affairs."

City of Aurora Comprehensive Plan

The two quotes above express our values and vision for Aurora. The expansion of the GEO Detention Center contradicts those values and calls into peril the ability of our community to be the one we envision it to be. Detention expansion sends a clear, negative and chilling message to the immigrant community potentially impacting their willingness and ability to be celebrated, to be served, to serve and to assimilate and acculturate.

When any part of our community is isolated and cut off from the rest, all of Aurora and the Metro area suffer. Come out this Monday to the City Council meeting and express support for a united, open Aurora that reflects our values and respects our whole community.

City Council Hearing to Decide on GEO Detention Center Site Approval
DATE: Monday, June 2
TIME: 6:30 pm Protest and Press conference
PLACE: Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway
WHAT: Come protest the GEO Group's proposal to triple the size of its immigrant detention center in Aurora. We need to let Aurora City Council see AND hear strong opposition to inhumane immigrant detention.

HUNGER STRIKE SOLIDARITY VIGIL

On Friday, May 30, at 12:00 pm, Colorado Jobs with Justice will have a vigil to show solidarity with "guest" workers from India who are engaged in a hunger strike in Washington DC. We will also discuss similar cases of human trafficking happening in Colorado. Read about one case here. More info about this local action will be posted here soon. For more information about the hunger strikers, visit the hunger strike blog here. This is day nine of the strike and there has already been one hospitalization. Keep these courageous workers in your thoughts.

May 1st Rally

The May 1st Committee
Convenes a Celebration
of International Labor Day

As immigrant workers we want to recognize and celebrate this day by having a festival to promote unity and tolerance. For this reason we insist on the following to create more unity and tolerance:

• NO to the expansion of the detention center in Aurora

• NO more racial profiling by the police and state Patrol

• NO more Deportations

• YES to documents and a path to citizenship for all

We invite the public to come
SHARE their poems, music and reflections at our open mic
HEAR music and speeches
SEE traditional indigenous dance

Date: Thursday, May 1st

Time: 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Location: Fletcher Plaza, 9898 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora

(Colfax and Elmira, In Front of Martin Luther King)

Flyer from the May 1st Committee

Our Alamosa Brother’s & Sisters Need your help!

“While the Red Cross and State Emergency Management set up water distribution sites, SLVIRC found that much of the immigrant community did not use the official sites out of fear of interaction with uniformed police.”

To support SLVIRC's efforts to distribute safe drinking water to the immigrant community,please send monetary donations to:

"Familia Fund"
c/o SLV Immigrant Resource Center

P.O. Box 1534

Alamosa, CO 81101

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition member organization, the San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center (SLVIRC), is in need of monetary donations to support ongoing efforts to supply safe drinking water & emergency information to the immigrant community in Alamosa and the surrounding area following the contamination of the city's water supply.

Background

San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center
The San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center (SLVIRC) is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 1987 with the mission to connect and empower immigrants with resources to achieve legal documentation, fulfill their economic needs, and integrate into the community. SLVIRC is the only recognized immigration service provider accredited by the Bureau of Immigration Affairs in the region.

SLVIRC is one of the founding member organizations of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition and works very closely with the Guatemalan Association of Alamosa and the Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Families Initiative.

Alamosa Water Crisis
On March 18, 2008, the city of Alamosa confirmed that the city's water supply was contaminated and tested positive for Salmonella. On March 19, the city issued a notice informing residents that the city water was unsafe to drink and began distributing bottled water. Alamosa anticipates that city residents will not have water usage, other than to flush their toilets, through the first week of April.

While the Red Cross and State Emergency Management set up water distribution sites, SLVIRC found that much of the immigrant community did not use the official sites out of fear of interaction with uniformed police. This reaction could be a result of both the increased local and state enforcement of immigration laws in Colorado, as well as, the highly publicized tragedy in San Diego in 2007 where immigrants escaping the wild fires were detained and deported by Immigration Customs Enforcement.

SLVIRC responded quickly to the crisis by distributing emergency information to the Spanish-speaking immigrant community and setting up its own water pick-up site at the SLVIRC office. SLVIRC began distributing approximately 250 gallons per day to the immigrant community beginning on March 21st. The Mormon Church, and the Alamosa police department have provided the water being distributed. On March 27th, SLVIRC was recognized by the CO Emergency Division as a distribution site and received bottled water.

The Center is currently providing information to the immigrant community through KRZA radio station and through written and oral communication in Spanish and Qanjobal (indigenous language of Guatemala).

In order to adequately respond to the emergency situation, SLVIRC office will remain open 7 days a week instead of 5 days for the next three weeks. SLVIRC has had to increase staff time significantly to cover the crisis. Your emergency financial support will cover additional staff time, printing materials, and communications efforts for the two-month period beginning March 18th through May 18th.

To support, please send monetary donations to:

"Familia Fund" c/o SLV Immigrant Resource Center
Attention: Flora Archuleta, Executive Director
P.O. Box 1534, Alamosa, CO 81101

Or for any questions please contact Flora Archuleta, SLVIRC Executive Director, at flora@slvirc.org or 719-587-3225, ext. 11

ICE Intimidates Student Activist: Donate Here

I have faith…

I have faith that God will help us through this test…

I have faith in people.

This is my story…

On July 26, 2006, Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) came to my home and detained my parents and sisters. My family came to the United States 15 years ago. Over the course of those 15 years we have become integrated in this community, we have paid our taxes, and have tried several times to legalize our status.

When I graduated from high school, one of my goals was to go to college. I knew that an education would give me the freedom I so long for. I knew that an education was a human right. However, because I was an undocumented student this meant I was not eligible for this right. Did this mean that because I was undocumented I was not worthy enough to be considered a human being?

I fought for my right to a college education and successfully was admitted to Miami Dade College in the fall of 2003. But that was not the outcome for many others, and I knew that I had to fight for this injustice. I knew that MLK was right when he said "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

I began to fight for educational rights. I fought for immigrant students rights. I stood up and spoke out. I marched along thousands of people. I humbly testified and shared my story with many people in hopes that I would be able to kindle their hearts and change their minds. I prayed to the Almighty God on my knees, and I asked for a change.

I have endured the burden of this responsibility for almost two years. ICE officers told my family to thank me for what was happening to them. ICE officers told my parents to reprimand me for what I was doing. ICE officers threatened me and asked me to stay quiet. And yesterday the herald wrote U.S. Immigration Judge Carey Holliday had refused to hear their arguments.

Pacheco "freely chose to draw unwanted attention to herself and her family," he wrote in a March 18 response. "People who live in glass houses should not throw stones."That runs through my head every single day, and like a dagger those words cut through my chest and stab my heart.

My family has been extremely supportive of my cause. My father has told me several times he is proud of me. He brings me up when I am down. He has been the wind beneath my wings. My mom says that I inherited from her the fighter in me. I love my family, and I also love this country! I know that justice and love will prevail in the end. I know this because one of the ICE officers said to my mom, “Why are you crying? Don’t you believe in God?” He comforted her, he was humane, and he showed her love.

I believe in the power of change. I believe in the power we have to make a difference and do good. One day I had to give a speech around September 11. I remember hearing someone talk about the tragedy that took place that day. And I remember thinking if 16 people were able to cause such a horrific thing, imagine what 16 people can do for something good. It really takes one person to make a difference.

Time for a change is of essence in this case. My family will appear in front of an immigration court judge this Monday, April 14, 2008. I don’t know what the outcome of this appearance will be. We’ve been put in a very uncomfortable situation because we are uncertain of the future. My family has to be ready to ask for voluntary departure in order to avoid being detained in a detention center. We need to present passports, airline tickets, bonds, and other fees, and we are reaching out to our friends and family for help. Unfortunately, we are really short on the money, and today I ask for your help. I have set aside my pride and feelings of shame because I really need your help.

I am dying inside because I feel my family is being snatched away from me. Even though I am 23 years old, I still need my mom. I have been terribly sick these past few weeks, and she has been the one that has spoon-fed me the medicine, has made special food to make me feel better, and has sat down by my side to caress me and soothe my pain away. I cannot begin to imagine what it feels like losing a parent forever. My peace rests in that, even though they are deporting my family, I am still going to be able to hear my mom’s voice and my dad’s encouragements through a telephone.

Thank you for reading this letter, and thank you for your support! If you feel it in your heart that you are able to help my family, please let me know. We need to have everything turned in to the lawyers by this Friday, April 11th.

Thank you once again, and God bless you,
Gaby Pacheco
Please feel free to pass along!

TO DONATE CLICK HERE

By MAIL:
Maria Pacheco
13380 SW 2nd Terrace
Miami, FL 33184

Caucus for Immigration

What: Consider proposing the "plank" below at your caucus on Tuesday.

Why: Platforms are written by caucus goers and convention delegates and send a clear message to our political parties what their base desires. They are supposed to direct the policies of the party. You can start the process of adding this plank to the platform at your caucus on Tuesday.

How: All you have to do is read it to your fellow precinct caucus goers and then they put it to a vote. Anyone can propose a change to the platform. If you can, take at least 50 copies of the resolution you want to get onto the platform. Give them to every person at your own precinct caucus so they can read along. Best to get there at 6:40 PM to get registered. The caucuses startat 7 sharp.

What next: If it passes, you precinct delegate to the county convention will take it to the convention and read it there. If it passes there, it then goes on to the State and National levels.

Extra details: Colorado Democratic Party Platform and Caucus Locations
Colorado Republican Party Platform and Caucus Locations
(I was unable to locate the Colorado GOP's 2006 platform so the above link is for 2004)


Platform Plank

Whereas Colorado is a state that values basic democratic principles and civil liberties for all its residents and recognizes the contributions of all communities to this nation, and

Whereas the current tone of the debate with respect to immigration has been overwhelmed by demagoguery, xenophobia and mean-spiritedness that diminishes every resident in this state, and

Whereas the attacks against immigrants threaten to undermine real reforms for a range of programs important to residents of this state, including health care, worker protections and civil liberties, and

Whereas Colorado is a State that values all its residents and workers, and

Whereas Colorado recognizes the chilling effect of anti-immigrant policies on all residents’ wages, standards of living, workplace and community safety, and

Whereas Colorado recognizes anti-immigrant policies have negatively impacted our economy by reducing our labor pool, tax and consumer bases

Whereas Colorado’s special session anti-immigrant legislation cost the State of Colorado more than $2 million to enforce and have yet to result in cost savings to the State of Colorado

Therefore be it resolved that the __________ Party adopt the following...

"The Colorado ____________ Party stands for America's finest ideals and core community values, rejects the politics of division and isolation efforts by any candidate for office which sow isolation, fear and xenophobia against any person or community, including our newest members, recognizes the ineffectiveness of State level immigration policy, and calls on Congress to enact a just and human immigration reform bill"

REAL ID and You

This says it all! The video is from the ACLU.

Come out to the Real ID Community Forum and protect your privacy

Where : Colorado History Museum, 1300 Broadway, Denver
When : Wednesday, October 3 , 6:00 -8:00 pm

Security and technology experts from all sides of the political spectrum discuss the consequences of the federal Real ID legislation. Jim Harper of the Cato Institute, Mike Krause of the Independence Institute, security guru Bruce Schneier and our own Cathy Hazouri will comprise the panel. The discussion will be moderated by progressive blogger/journalist David Sirota . The event is FREE.

Please email Erik Maulbetsch at erik@aclu-co.org, or call 303.777.5482 x100 to RSVP.

Can't come to the event? Participate by asking questions!

Send them to: http://www.aclu-co.org/events/2007RealID.htm

Challenge Greeley's Public Officials and Create Community

Please go to both events or to "Realizing Our Communities"

"Ixxxxxl Immigration-the Untold Stories"

Greeley's District Attorney and Chief of Police are sponsoring an event on September 18th which stereotypes all people who are undocumented as vicious criminals.

Click here for their description of the event.

I believe it is critical to support the victims of crime while/and challenging the racist/nativist assumption that all undocumented persons are criminals as well as discuss how our broken system contributes to all of the above. Members of CIRC and CFIR will be heading up together. See below for details.

Carpool Information- Denver to Greeley
Time: 4:00pm
Date: September 18th
Place: 3131 West 14th Avenue, Denver

Event Information
Time: 6:30pm -8:30pm
Date: September 18th
Place: 4H Building at Island Grove Park, Greeley

"REALIZING OUR COMMUNITIES- The Way to Greatness"

Latinos Unidos is sponsoring a community building event that night.

Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, Septemeber 18th
Place: Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., Greeley.

Keynote speakers include Dwight Jones, state education commissioner; Polly Baca, CEO of Latin American Research and Service Agency; Steve Horan, director of Lutheran Family Services Refugee and Asylum programs in Denver, and Rolf Brende, chaplain and author of "The Gentle Heart Primer: Principles That Build Community."

Action:TONIGHT

Fuerza Latina in Fort Collins has organized an amazing vigil and rally tonight at 6:30pm to support human rights such as those of activist Elvira Arellano. If you are interested in carpooling we'll leave at 4:oo pm from the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition's offices. Please contact Gina Millan at 303-893-3500.

Below is a strong op ed in the Fort Collins paper, the Coloradoan, which discusses the need for reform and invites people out to the vigil.

Those facing deportation are people
Kimberly Baker Medina

"Just as they have beaten at my door, they are beating at the door of thousands, forcefully separating children and parents and causing terror and suffering .... I believe in my heart that the people of this nation do not have hate in their hearts, they don't want to destroy our lives, our families and our communities. I accept what God has sent me to accept. But I ask of my community ... to join together with me and ask that we walk together for our dignity. I ask everyone of conscience and good will to join with us... the 12th of September."

These words were written by Elvira Arrellano, from the Chicago church where she sought sanctuary for a year to avoid deportation and separation from her son, a U.S. citizen. When she left the church in August to promote Sept. 12 as a day to speak out against deportations, she was arrested and deported, leaving her son behind.

Elvira's arrest is significant not because it is unusual, but because it is common, even here, in Larimer County. Locally, authorities send about 30 people monthly to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation. Since the beginning of 2006, about 10,000 people in Colorado have been processed for deportation. Every person deported leaves someone behind.

David couldn't get his baby girl to eat after ICE took his wife. His three U.S. citizen children, a 6-month old breastfeeding baby, a 2- and a 5-year old, were crying and looking for their mother, who was deported two days after her arrest, without saying goodbye to her children.

Harriet, an 80-year-old widow, lost her granddaughter and two great-granddaughters when her grandson-in-law was deported and his family accompanied him. Before his deportation, Harriet looked forward to their daily visits. Now, she spends her days alone, missing her girls.

Lisa's husband was turned over to ICE for a broken taillight after living here for 13 years. As Lisa and her 7-year-old son, both U.S. citizens, packed up daddy's things, her son couldn't stop crying. "I don't want my daddy to go to Mexico," he sobbed.

A person is no less human because she or he lacks immigration papers. Deportations destroy children and families and communities. The people deported in our community are your neighbors, co-workers, members of your church and your children's playmates. The majority have committed no crime other than to have no immigration papers. They came here to escape persecution or hunger, or to unite with family. They become part of our communities, our families and our economy.

Current immigration laws do little more than cause suffering and injustice. They don't allow people to enter legally to work or be with family, or legalize their status. We must stop punishing families for dysfunctional laws and devise an immigration system that works for families and for America.

Fuerza Latina, together with families, faith and community organizations, will have a vigil at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Old Town Square in honor of Elvira and all families. Please join us.

Kimberly Baker Medina is an immigration attorney and a volunteer with Fuerza Latina. All of the people mentioned above are local residents of whom she has personal knowledge, whose names have been changed for privacy reasons. For more information about the vigil, contact Javier at 297-8951.

Action: Call to support worker's rights

**This message was sent to us by an organizer**

Thank you so much to everyone who attended the janitors’ picket at Park Meadows on Saturday!!

We had a very successful event and the workers who attended were overwhelmed and energized by all of the support they felt from the community. The janitors have reported experiencing threats and intimidation in response to their efforts to organize for better working conditions and yet they have continued to courageously stand up to their employer to ask for change. We thank you for coming out and recognizing that courage and supporting them in their ongoing effort to improve the quality of their lives.

After the action, two workers entered the mall with a union organizer all wearing their justice for janitors t-shirts. They were approached by Security who required them to change their shirts in order to be in the mall. They all complied and returned to the mall so that the workers could pick up their paychecks. While the workers were in the office getting their checks the union organizer was surrounded by 6-8 security guards who ultimately banned him from the mall for a year. He was told that union activity is not allowed on Park Meadows property. This was all done in view of workers and has obviously further frightened and intimidated workers. Both the janitors’ employer, The Millard Group and the owner of the mall, General Growth Properties are already being investigated for violations of federal labor law and now additional charges are being prepared.

WE NEED YOUR HELP AGAIN!

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF JANITORS!

CALL Pamela Schenck the General Manager of Park Meadows Mall at 303-792-2999 or Pamela.schenck@generalgrowth.com.

TELL HER to STOP Abusing the Civil Rights of Workers!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT =)

Events for August 25th through September 1st

August 25th Support
SEIU Janitors!

Time: 4:00pm
Action: Support Janitors in their right to organize by picketing with them against the Millard Group
Place: Park Meadows Mall
Directions: Map
Contact: Veronica Vera 303-698-7963 extension 134 or at wera@seiu105.org

AUGUST 31st Support
Citizenship Rights

Time: 11:00am

Action: Hearing to determine whether Mr. Mahd can receive his citizenship without delay.
Where: 901 19th Street Denver, CO, Rm A902

Links to details in this case: http://www.accesstojobs.com/media.html
Link to news coverage: http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_6624187
http://www.denverpost.com/movies/ci_4813326

Support Elvira Arellano and Continue

Prayer Vigil to Denounce Elvira Arellano’s Deportation and Celebrate Her Courage
She Inspires Us to Continue!

WHEN: Tonight Wednesday, August 22
TIME: 6:00pm
WHERE: Iliff School of Theology
Parking in the Iliff lot on Iliff just West of University Blvd.
(use the intercom to say you’re there for this event to be let in)

We invite you to come to show your solidarity with Elvira Arellano and all of the other families in risk of separation because of our inhumane immigration system!

We will come together to offer prayers and gather strength for the road ahead.

Co-sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee, Coloradans for Immigrant Rights, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, HS Power and Light, and Iliff School of Theology among others.

Citizenship in exchange for Spying?

If you are a Muslim applying for citizenship, you might be asked to agree to spy first. If you decline, then you may find yourself in the situation of Mr. Zuhair Mahd and hundreds of other Muslims applying for citizenship.

Mr Mahd had been interviewed and passed his tests and was only waiting on his FBI background check to come back before being approved for citizenship. The government has 120 days to reply to a request for citizenship. Mr. Mahd waited two years.

He finally filed suit in Federal court to move his application forward. He represented himself. And won.

His FBI check came back clean. The government then asked him to supply additional documents and be interviewed again, deviating from the normal process. Mr. Mahd refused and so they have denied his application for citizenship and say he must appeal the decision through the immigration appeals system, which thanks to recent changes is completely separate from the court system in the United States. The appeal process can take years.

Mr. Mahd is again filing suit in federal court to fight this action. Please come out to the hearing and show your support for him.

What: Hearing to determine whether Mr. Mahd can receive his citizenship without delay.
When: Friday, August 31st, 2007
Hour: 11:00am
Where: 901 19th Street Denver, CO
Rm A902

Link to details in this case: http://www.accesstojobs.com/media.html
Link to news coverage: http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_6624187
http://www.denverpost.com/movies/ci_4813326

Activist Elvira Arellano Arrested and Deported

Immigration Control and Enforcement arrested Sra. Arellano as she was leaving a speaking event. She had been taking sanctuary in a church since last August with her son. Sra. Arellano decided it was time for her to leave that sanctuary in order to build momentum for a vigil in D.C. which will happen on September 12th.

Her arrest in front of her son and subsequent separation from him make me angry and sad. Elvira Arellano is a truly inspiring leader for human rights. She has risked her family and her livelihood to tell the truth about what it is like to be an immigrant in the United States.

While the anti-immigrant movement celebrates what they believe to be a defeat, I know that this vigil will gain momentum and power because of her sacrifice. I hope that she inspires all of us who are allies to realize how little we risk in the pursuit of justice and to do more.

There is a poll about her case and the plight of undocumented immigrants here. Please consider taking the poll. Write letters to the editor. And stay tuned for details on upcoming actions.

Please call the local Field Office to protest her arrest and deportation
Field Office Director, Denver
4730 Paris Street
Denver, CO 80239
Phone: 303-371-1067 or 5606
Area of Responsibility: Colorado, Wyoming

Events: August 20th-26th

I'm going to cheat and add this event for tonight:

TONIGHT 8/17 Padres and Jovenes Unidos fundraiser
What: BBQ and picnic
Time: 5:00pm
Where: Columbus Park 38th and Osage (map)
TO bring: Donations for the food


AUGUST 21st Coloradans For Immigrant Rights Garden Party
What: Raffle, food, fun
Time: 6:00pm
Where: AFSC offices 901 W. 14th Ave. in the large apartment building. Come in through the door closest to 14th Ave.


AUGUST 24TH
El Centro celebrates its Grand Reopening with the legendary Dolores Huerta!

The event is free and open to the public. However, donations are much appreciated to help El Centro start up in the newly renovated space.
RSVP to tomandannette@comcast.com

August 25th Support SEIU Janitors!
Time: 4:00pm
Place: Park Meadows Mall
Directions: Map
Action: Support Janitors in their right to organize by picketing with them against the Millard Group
Contact: Veronica Vera 303-698-7963 extension 134 or at wera@seiu105.org

DHS: Dismantling Human rights and Security

The Department of Homeland Security released new "rules" today. Included within are:

• Expanded ("Delegated") search and seizure
  
• 31,500 new detention beds
• Biometrics at airports
  
• Sharing of all Motor Vehicle records with the federal government, especially photos (Wave to them on your next driver's license)
• The expansion of electronic verification of identification and access to more databases of personal information (REAL ID resuscitated)
• Narrowing of documentation which can be used for employment
  
• Further "cooperation" with local and state police forces
• 75 fifteen person teams to conduct raids
• Expansion of criminal penalties for employers
  
• Expansion of guest worker programs- both temporary and professional, but nothing for family VISAS
• Decreased rights for asylees/refugees (Forced repatriation to countries unwilling to accept returning immigrants)
• Elimination of due process in Voluntary Deportation proceedings
• Data sharing between Social Security and Department of Homeland Security
• Propaganda reports on a regular basis "State of the Border" addresses
  

And for integration they will be putting up a new web tool so immigrants can learn English online.

What do you think of these new rules?

Events for August 12th through the 19th

Come out out to Pablo's (map) 8/19 8:00am-noon for a pancake breakfast to benefit the African Community Center (map)

After going for a nice little stroll to work off the pancakes come to see an awesome cultural event and support the Somali Bantu Community Development Council at the Botanic Gardens (map). The cost is$10.00 and you need to register online or call 720-865-3610.

Come out to the Vigil Tonight

The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition is calling us to come out for a vigil tonight. The papers are saying 48 people were arrested in State Patrol round ups today, including a baby. Let's show support for the families who were driving today and those who've been left behind. It's time to decry the erosion of our civil liberties and the boundaries between federal and local police forces.

This is an opportunity to lift our ally voices and use them to speak in solidarity with those detained.

Come out and participate!

When: TONIGHT, August 1, 2007, 8PM

Where: Denver Inner City Parish

1212 Mariposa St.; Denver, CO

CIRC Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Contacts: Chandra Russo, 720-273-2022 Jordan Garcia 303-919-8798

ICE-Deputized State Patrol Terrorizes Immigrant Families
Colorado Advocates Demand Real Solutions,
Not Police-State Tactics

Prayer Vigil in Denver Tonight to Support Affected Families

(Denver, CO) On Tuesday, Colorado State Patrol officers arrested 48 immigrants on I-70 near the Eisenhower Tunnel in a concentrated round-up of immigrant families. The 48 included an infant identified as a U.S. citizen. The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), a statewide alliance of over 80 organizations working to defend and advance the rights of immigrants, demands an end to law enforcement tactics which terrorize communities and violate civil liberties.

"It just seems as if we have become a police state," says Sister Nancy Crafton of Centro de los Pobres in Avondale, CO. "Our families are terrified. . .terrified. . .to go anywhere, even down the street. We are seeing a complete erosion of due process in this country."

"This round-up by State Patrol raises serious questions about who is being targeted for immigration questioning," adds Danielle Short of the American Friends Service Committee. "Regardless of who has traffic violations, certain races and ethnicities are clearly more vulnerable here."

"It is a sad day to see the state of Colorado using the very limited resources it has to enforce federal immigration laws,"says Eddie Soto of Compañeros in Durango. "Our law-makers in Washington do not have the guts to tackle this issue and use our precious tax-dollars which should be spent on education and health care."

DREAM ACT update

While the Graham amendment to militarize the DREAM Act was taken off the table, the threat of further detention and militarization remains. Please continue to call your senators in opposition of including those.

"Update from AILA: The Senate just voted by 52-44 to sustain a ruling that the Graham amendment was not germane to the DHS appropriations debate. This means that we have dodged the horrible due process and detention “authorizing” language included in Graham’s amendment.

However, the Democrats and Republicans have reached a preliminary deal to include the funding portion of the amendment. It was very likely that the Democrats were going to be able to defend against the enforcement amendment so the Democrats accepted the funding as a compromise. Very unfortunately, the funding portion of the amendment may include 45,000 more detention beds, 23,000 border agents, and billions of dollars for enforcement. They are negotiating the text of the funding amendment now. Unfortunately, Dream and Agjobs are most likely off the table now."