The Progressive

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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Christine Neumann-Ortiz, christine@vdlf.org, 414-736-2835

Press Advisory: May Day Solidarity March for Immigrant and Worker Rights

What: National Day of Action for Immigrant Rights - Wisconsin May Day Solidarity March for Immigrant and Worker Rights

Who: Elvira Arellano, the internationally recognized immigrant rights leader and Time 2006 Person Who Mattered; thousands of student, immigrant, labor, and faith community members and leaders; elected officials

When: Friday, May 1, 2015, 11am-1pm

MILWAUKEE, Wisc.

What: National Day of Action for Immigrant Rights - Wisconsin May Day Solidarity March for Immigrant and Worker Rights

Who: Elvira Arellano, the internationally recognized immigrant rights leader and Time 2006 Person Who Mattered; thousands of student, immigrant, labor, and faith community members and leaders; elected officials

When: Friday, May 1, 2015, 11am-1pm

Where: Rally at 11am at Voces de la Frontera (1027 S. 5th St.); march to Milwaukee County Courthouse (10th and Wells) and closing program

Why: The immigrant rights movement won a major victory in November 2014 with President Obama's decision to grant protection from deportation to almost 5 million undocumented people. In Wisconsin, 4 out of 10 immigrants will qualify (up to 34,000 people). Anti-immigrant and anti-worker politicians across the country, including Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, are trying to block administrative relief and continue to separate families.

Voces de la Frontera and allies march for the implementation of administrative immigration relief now, immigration reform with a path to citizenship, to protect our public schools, for the freedom to organize in the workplace, and living wages for all.

Background on Elvira Arellano

Elvira Arellano is an undocumented single mom from Chicago who was ordered deported in 2006. With the support of her local community and congregation, she resisted the deportation order by taking sanctuary in her Chicago Methodist church, where she lived for one year. Her action inspired a second national New Sanctuary Movement to resist deportations. Eventually she left the church to organize around the country. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested her and deported her in late 2007. In Mexico Elvira became active in supporting the rights of Central American refugees and recently returned to the United States as part of the #BringThemHome campaign, in which hundreds of deported immigrants returned to the US border and sought asylum. Her case is pending, and she could face a second deportation. Elvira is an honored guest of La Gran D FM and Voces de la Frontera.

Voces de la Frontera is Wisconsin's leading immigrant rights group - a grassroots organization that believes power comes from below and that people can overcome injustice to build a better world.