The Militant(logo) 
    Vol.61/No.15           April 14, 1997 
 
 
Hundreds Blast Gov't Attacks On Immigrants  

BY LISA ROTTACH
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - Some 250 demonstrators gathered at the Federal building here April 1 to protest the Illegal Immigrant Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which went into effect the same day. Those present were predominantly immigrants, together with various members of the 30 organizations who called the demonstration.

"Whenever there's an economic crisis, they start blaming us immigrants," said Luis Caza, 37. This view was reflected in numerous handmade signs: "Stop Scapegoating Immigrants" and "Immigrant Rights Are Human Rights."

"We, as workers, are an integral part of this country. We want equality and justice with or without papers," said José Ortiz, who has lived in New Jersey since 1992. "This country needs us."

New Jersey has one of the largest concentrations of immigrants, ranking fifth nationwide. Some 13.4 percent, or 1.1 million of the state's population is foreign-born. Consequently, a large number of people are directly affected by the legislation. Many of the provisions of the new law will result in disabled and elderly immigrants losing public benefits such as food stamps. Those facing deportation lose many appeal rights, while many low income families will have a harder time reuniting with their families. Protests against the anti-immigrant law come in the context of an increasing number of workplace raids by Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) agents. On February 6, the INS raided two factories in Sussex County, New Jersey, and swiftly moved to deport 67 workers. Those arrested weren't even allowed to return home for their personal belongings.

BY ERNIE MAILHOT

MIAMI - Nearly 1,000 people from dozens of Haitian and Latino groups turned out here April 1 to protest new anti- immigrants laws at a rally called by the Committee for Dignity and Justice for Immigrants.

Waving Haitian, Mexican, and Nicaraguan flags and carrying signs reading "Don't Cut Benefits," "No to Deportations," and "War on Immigrants = War on Workers," the crowd swelled from the sidewalk, into the street in front of the building. More than 50 Miami cops tried to force the demonstrators back on the sidewalk and one cop, mounted on horseback, repeatedly charged the crowd swinging his baton. Eventually the cops backed down.

"Don't be intimidated. Don't go underground. Don't go into hiding. This is what they want. Instead we must all get together, we must unite and fight!" Marleine Bastien, from the Haitian Women of Miami told the cheering crowd.

Other speakers included William Suárez from the Latin American Aids Koalition, which brought a contingent to the rally; Monica Russo from UNITE; and activists in various Haitian, Nicaraguan, religious and political organizations.

Co-chairs of the rally Florvil Samedi, from the Haitian community group Veye-Yo and Angel Domínguez, representing the sponsoring coalition, ended the event by calling for a meeting on April 9 to plan broader protests.  
 
 
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