FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 27, 2012

PRESS CONTACT: JOE SHANSKY (414) 218-3331

Voces de la Frontera and Allies Prepare for National May Day March Against Arizona’s SB 1070

US Congressman Luis Gutierrez, US Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Gubernatorial Candidates to Rally on Sunday

On Sunday April 29, Voces de la Frontera will hold our seventh annual May Day Solidarity March,  joining cities across the United States in a week of national actions for immigrant and worker rights. 

Voces de la Frontera has consistently organized some of the largest May Day marches in the country since 2006 and in the state’s history, drawing up to 100,000 attendees last year. This year we will have buses with attendees coming from ten different cities across Wisconsin.

This Sunday we march to demand justice in the highest court as the US Supreme Court begins to hear arguments on Arizona’s controversial anti-immigrant law in United States vs. Arizona.  The court’s landmark ruling, expected in June, will determine whether our nation will uphold the historic gains of the civil rights movement or revert back to a pre-civil rights era of second-class citizenship. We also march for an end to the cruel immigration enforcement policies that continue to separate loving families.

In recognition of Wisconsin’s role as a national battleground state, US Congressman Luis Gutierrez (IL) will speak at the state-wide rally at Veteran’s Park in Milwaukee.  He will be introduced by US Congresswoman Gwen Moore. Congressman Gutierrez has been at the forefront of the effort to pass historic comprehensive immigration reform legislation, as well as raise the visibility of the toll of mass deportations on immigrant families.

All candidates for Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race have been invited to the event. Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett and Kathleen Falk have been confirmed to speak briefly at the Solidarity Stage on 5th and Washington around 1 pm, before the march begins.  Full program details (subject to change) can be seen by clicking here.
In Racine, a Sunday mass will be held in the parking lot of Pick N’ Save prior to boarding the bus to Milwaukee, as a show of support from the faith community.  The mass will be begin at 9:30 am, at 2210 Rapids Drive.  For interviews with attendees of the Racine mass, contact Juan Ruiz at (414) 218-7115.

Marchers will assemble at 12:30 pm on Sunday, April 29, with a short program at at the corners of 5th St. and Washington St.  Marchers will then proceed to Veteran’s Park for a 2 pm rally with Congressman Luis Gutierrez and headlining musical guest, Billboard award winners Kinto Sol. All events are free and open to the public. 

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From the Committee to Stop FBI Repression:

http://www.stopfbi.net/events/5-15-12/judge-orders-may-15-trial-carlos-montes-we-need-your-help

— At court on April 26, the judge ordered a trial to begin May 15
for Carlos Montes. The legal charges are a pretext to attack Carlos for his political activism, and stem from the national FBI targeting of anti-war and international solidarity activists. Carlos Montes is a longtime Los Angeles anti-war, immigrant rights and Chicano civil rights activist.

— Funds are urgently needed for Carlos’ legal defense.
At the April 26 hearing, the judge refused to dismiss the charges against Carlos on the basis of discriminatory prosecution due to his activism, so a full-blown trial will begin on May 15. Trials are expensive. Click here to donate.

— Join Carlos in court the week of May 15

All Out for the Trial!
Plan on attending all or part of this important trial – it will take several days.

The trial will start Tuesday, May 15 8 a.m.

Criminal Courts Building, 13th floor, Department 100
210 West Temple Avenue
Los Angeles, CA

— Soon, we will send out info for a pressure campaign targeting the Los Angeles District Attorney.

http://www.stopfbi.net/

Carlos Montes

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List of upcoming anti-NATO Milwaukee events:

http://www.facebook.com/events/350345658360341/

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Challenge the NATO War Makers in Chicago:

http://www.facebook.com/events/220503057983391/

http://cang8.org/

Feb. 4, 2012 Milwaukee.

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MAY DAY 2012 IN WISCONSIN

MILWAUKEE, Sunday – April 29, 2012 – 12:30 pm
Assemble at the corner of 5th and Washington, March to Veteran’s Park to Rally
with
Special guest speaker, Congressman Luis Gutierrez (IL)
and Headlining Cultural Guest Kinto Sol

– Stop Separating Families! Stop the Deportations!
– Good Jobs, Not cuts to Badgercare and public education!
– Restore Drivers License and in-state tuition for immigrants!
– Defend Voting Rights!

To get leaflets and posters, to access a state-wide bus schedule and for more information:
http://vdlf.org/articles/index.php?article_id=212

Sponsored by Voces de la Frontera and Youth Empowered in the Struggle (Yes)
www.vdlf.org
http://www.facebook.com/groups/5964614831/

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MADISON

5 P.M. State Capitol
http://www.facebook.com/events/411815158829158/

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WI BOPM is a member of the May 1st Coalition for Worker and Immigrant Rights which is sponsoring a “May Day 2012: A Day Without the 99%” rally in Union Square on May Day:

http://www.facebook.com/events/184865061635013/

http://www.may1.info/

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WI BOPM May Day 2012 Placard:

https://wibailoutpeople.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/wi_1maydayplacards.pdf

This PDF is letter size. It should be blown up TO 205 % for an 18 x 24 inch placard.

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May Day, A Short History – Philip S. Foner / http://www.illinoislaborhistory.org/store/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=MayDay

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Community rally in support of 43 Ashland Machinist Workers who are on strike In protest of union busting proposal.

SATURDAY APRIL 28

2012 PEARSON PLAZA, HWY 2 – ASHLAND

NOON UNTIL 4:00

BACKGROUND:

Saturday, April 28 an important worker support rally will be held in Ashland in support of 43 brave machinist union members who went on strike to show their opposition to proposed right to work language that will destroy the union. The company is insisting on this non economic language and is in the process of hiring replacement workers.

These courageous workers are not striking for themselves but are standing tall on behalf of a cause larger than them. Throughout our history workers have struggled hard to have unions to ensure decent working conditions and work for laws to guarantee fair treatment on their jobs. It has never been easy but those who carried the burden of sacrifice passed on a better life to the rest of society. They fought for justice, fair treatment, equal opportunity and family values. These workers are standing for the same purpose.

There is a clear right to work movement that is starting to gain hold in Wisconsin that is designed to break the unions and erode economic security and workplace protections. Just as this employer is using the contract to insert union busting language Scott Walker used the Budget Repair bill as a Trojan horse to insert union busting language. Recently, Manitowoc Crane demanded similar right to work language in recent contract negotiations.

For almost one month these workers and their families have made a huge sacrifice in this stand against the union busting proposal. The entire community and region need to show them our admiration and support. These Ashland employees represent the best of the American worker. It is their work ethic and skill that makes America great and we owe them our thanks and support.

The rally will begin at noon and run until 4:00 at Pearson Plaza on Highway 2 in Ashland. There will be food, music and plenty of opportunity to show our support. They have taken a brave stand. This rally will provide the chance for us to celebrate solidarity with these workers and their families.

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http://strikemay1st.com/

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Flyer: https://wibailoutpeople.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/dnc_flyer.pdf

April 13, 2012 Coalition to March on Wall Street South press conference at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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http://www.1199seiu.org/1199seiu_al_sharpton_and_broad_coalition_plan_father_s_day_march_against_racial_profiling

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