Immigrant Freedom Ride draws Caribbean-American supporters

By Felicia Persaud

Wednesday, September 10, 2003

QUEENS, New York: Caribbean American immigrant advocates and supporters showed up at Shea Stadium yesterday, to pledge their support for the 4th October Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride. 

The ride is inspired by the Freedom Riders of the Civil Rights Movement, and is geared towards drumming up support for immigrant workers in the United States who now face draconian immigration laws.

Organizers says activists, immigrants and union leaders will set out from nine major U.S. cities and cross the country in buses later this month. They will then converge on Washington, D.C. for a meeting with Congressional members before travelling to Liberty State Park in New Jersey on 3rd October 3, and culminating for a mass rally the next day, 4th October, in Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, New York from 11 a.m to 3 p.m.

Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin, who heads up the AFL-CIO labor union, a main proponent of the rally, urged advocates to get the word out and drum up support in immigrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

"The target is October 4th," said Mr. McLaughlin. "We need buses and caravans of people at the sphere."

New York City Council Speaker, Mr. Gifford Miller, also pledged his support for the rally, stating, "All New Yorkers (including the undocumented) deserve to participate in the immigrant dream and we in government have to make that dream come though."

The speaker will two announce his support for two key pieces of immigrant legislation introduced at the city level of government. They are the Access Without Fear bill, which seeks to ensure that no city employees will disclose confidential information relating to any member of the public, including immigration status, health, disability or sexual orientation; and the Equal Acess to Human Services Bill, which is designed to ensure that New Yorkers who speak limited English, have equal access to critical government service.

Meanwhile, the Trinidadian-born head of the Transport Workers Union, Mr. Roger Toussaint, pledged the support of his union for the rally, revealing that a location in Brooklyn has already been secured to help get the word out on the rally.

"We need to protect and preserve immigrants," said Mr. Toussaint.

For more information about the march, log on to http://www.immigrantworkersfreedomride.com and pledge your support. 

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