Councilman Charles Barron
250 Broadway New York NY 10007
917-584-7604
Thursday February 5, 2009
11:30am
Steps of City Hall
Councilman Barron joins immigrant and community leaders in speaking out against governor Patterson’s selection of Kirsten Gillibrand to the US senate
Councilman Charles Barron, immigrant groups, community leaders, and activists including Viola Plummer and Roger Wareham of the December 12th Movement; Dominican Community Activist Ydonis Rodriguez, Haitian Activist Lakou Dahaud Andre; Teresa Gutierrez of the May 1st Coalition for Worker and Immigrant Rights, Ana Aguirre of United Community Centers, Joy Simmons of Operation P.O.W.E.R.; Noel Leader of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, Rev Paul Mitchell of Changing Live Christian Center; Rev Allen Hand; Kevin McCall and Chris Banks of United Concerned Citizens, and many others are holding a press conference on the steps of City Hall on Thursday February 5, 2009 at 11:30am to speak out against governor Patterson’s selection of Kirsten Gillibrand to the US senate.
Councilman Barron States, “Kirsten Gillibrand should not have been appointed to represent our state, which has one of the largest immigrant communities in the country. She is anti immigration and anti-gun control. She has opposed amnesty for immigrants, she has supported the deputizing of law enforcement around the US border, she has been a proponent of the English only movement, she has opposed the bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to a have drivers licenses, and she supported the policy that requires legal immigrants to reveal their status to businesses before being hired. Gillibrand’s stance against gun control is also unacceptable especially considering the extent that communities of color suffer from gun violence.”
Councilman Barron continues, “It is sad that we had to rely on Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to appoint the only Black person to the Senate. Some excellent choices, who were overlooked by Patterson, include Carl McCall, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, State Senator Bill Perkins, former Lieutenant Governor Candidate Lisa Yves, and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. The governor has the power to select but the people have the power to elect. We will be organizing in our local communities to see that the best candidate for New York State is elected.”
For more information contact Joy Simmons at 917-584-7604 or 917-763-3091
I am an immigrant. I migrated to the U.S. from the Philippines. Although it wasn't always the case, today I am learning to peel the shame I used to feel about being an immigrant. Some cringe at the word "immigrant"; some take and use it as an insult. Many believe that it's an F-word; a word that's a curse, a taboo, something dirty, a word people aren't suppose to use, it's thrown around like a weapon of hate.
The history of the word, from my understanding, is that it was used to place an identifier on a group that was seen as an 'other.' It has been posed to me that perhaps the word "immigrant" should not be used in the first place. But I disagree; eradicating the word isn't a protest of disregard of the power of the ruling class. but rather it's an admittance of their power.
Instead of using "immigrant" as an F-word, I'm suggesting that people remember that language is ours; We determine its meaning and its development, not the other way around. I am an immigrant; I migrated from one place to another. There is nothing wrong with that.
(My particular interest is in the undocumented immigrant experience, particularly undocumented immigrant youth. This blog seeks to journey into learning about the lives of immigrants, documented and undocumented alike, and the politics surrounding the subject.)
The history of the word, from my understanding, is that it was used to place an identifier on a group that was seen as an 'other.' It has been posed to me that perhaps the word "immigrant" should not be used in the first place. But I disagree; eradicating the word isn't a protest of disregard of the power of the ruling class. but rather it's an admittance of their power.
Instead of using "immigrant" as an F-word, I'm suggesting that people remember that language is ours; We determine its meaning and its development, not the other way around. I am an immigrant; I migrated from one place to another. There is nothing wrong with that.
(My particular interest is in the undocumented immigrant experience, particularly undocumented immigrant youth. This blog seeks to journey into learning about the lives of immigrants, documented and undocumented alike, and the politics surrounding the subject.)
"google that!"
Immigrant Rights are Human Rights; If a group of people can be oppressed, who decides who's next?
Inform yourself and others, go to google.com and youtube.com and check out things like:
I.C.E. Detention Center / Hutto Dention Center / DREAM Act
Inform yourself and others, go to google.com and youtube.com and check out things like:
I.C.E. Detention Center / Hutto Dention Center / DREAM Act
Thursday, February 5, 2009
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