MEDIA ADVISORY: Bay Area Immigrant Rights Movement Takes Week of Action Against ICE Raids and for Fair & Just Immigration

MEDIA ADVISORY
For immediate release: Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Contacts: Evelyn Sanchez, Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition (BAIRC)Office: 510-839-7598; cell (415) 572 0639 (English/Spanish)
Diana Pei Wu, National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (NNIRR)Office: (510) 465 1885, ext. 304; (510) 847 9339 (English/Mandarin)

Immigrant Communities Take a Stand Against ICE Raids

Illustrating the need to fix our broken immigration system that keeps families apart, the recent increase in ICE enforcement and questionable tactics has left families separated and communities fearful of law enforcement, making them more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Immigrants and their allies will join together to call for immigration reform and denounce the raids.

What: Week of Action Against Immigration Raids

When / Where: Monday, February 26 to Thursday, March 2, 2007

11AM - 1PM: Actions each day in front of the Immigration Building - 630 Sansome St in San Francisco (detailed daily program descriptions follow)

4PM - 7PM: Local community events throughout the Bay Area (see following pages)

Friday, March 2, 2007: 11 am - 1 pm. March from 16 x Mission BART to San Francisco Federal building (Golden Gate x Larkin, San Francisco, CA), Rally & Program at Federal Building.

Who: Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition, Deporten a la Migra, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, La Raza Centro Legal Day Labor Program, Arab American Legal Center, St Peters Housing Committee, POWER, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, Chinese Progressive Association, San Francisco Central Labor Council

Why: More than ever we need a fair and just immigration law that keeps families and loved ones together. Recent ICE community and workplace raids have terrorized the immigrant community and ripped families apart; immigrant communities are increasingly marginalized and frightened. Community organizations, churches, unions and social service agencies are boldly coming together to call for an end to all ICE raids and for regional and local authorities to publicly oppose detentions and deportations and ensure the safety of all our communities.

Visuals: A diverse group of immigrant parents, workers, children, advocates, and allies denouncing human rights violations in front of the San Francisco Immigration building.

Program: Week of Action Against ICE Raids and for Immigrant Rights

For Immediate Release: February 23, 2007

Contact: Evelyn Sanchez, Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition (BAIRC); Office: 510-839-7598; cell (415) 572 0639 (English/Spanish)

Diana Pei Wu, National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (NNIRR), Office: (510) 465 1885, ext. 304; cell (510) 847 9339 (English/Mandarin)

Where/When: Monday - Thursday, Feb 26 - March 1, 2007. 630 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA, 11 am - 1 pm daily.

Visuals: People of different nationalities, including parents, families, children, young people, standing up against ICE raids. Signs & colorful banners.
Detailed Daily Information
Monday, February 26 Theme: Launch Week of Action Community Sector Highlighted: Faith Lead Organization: Deporten a la Migra Coalition Contact: Maria Poblet 510-384-1220 Confirmed Speakers & Performers:

Reverend Phil Lawson, Black Alliance for Just Immigration Brenda Vaca, Pastor, Nueva Vida Ministries, United Methodist Church Francisco Herrera (musician and performer) Norman Fong (invited) Betty Canton Self, Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights Chief of Police Fong; Pastor Mauricio Chacon, Iglesia Presbyteriana de la Misión; Mayor Gavin NewsomEvent Description: Faith vigil and action, representatives from all sectors

Tuesday, Feb 27 Theme: "We Are Workers!" Sector: Labor and Workers Organization: La Raza Centro Legal Day Laborer Program Contact: Renee Saucedo, 415-553-3404 Speakers & Performers:

· Tim Paulson, SF Central Labor Council; · Mike Thierault, SF Building and Trades Council; · Sharon Cornu, Central Labor Council of Alameda County; · Crista Indriolo, San Mateo County Central Labor Council; · Maria Guillen, SEIU Local 790; · Frank Martin del Campo, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement; · Carlos Mares, Lucha Unida del Jornalero; Julio Loyola, SF Day Labor Program,Detailed Event Description: Labor Representatives from several Bay Area counties, multiple nationalities

Wednesday, Feb 28 Theme: "We Are Families!" Sectors: Families, Women, Students, Youth Lead Organization(s): Mujeres Unidas y Activas Andrea Cristina Mercado, 415-621-8140 Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition Evelyn Sanchez, 510-839-7598Speakers: Maria Jimenez, Mujeres Unidas y Activas · Graton Day Laborer Center · Youth worker, Young Workers United · worker, Chinese Progressive Association Detailed Event Description Rally (all) & march (CPA). Chinese women immigrant workers, laid off, boycott of Monster Cable.

Thursday, March 1 Theme: "Equality for All!" Sectors: Criminal justice and Immigrant Rights Contact: Arab American Legal Defense, Lily Haskell, 912-398-5641 Speakers: · Education not Incarceration · Lawyer for the LA 8 (Palestinian) · Critical Resistance · Ella Baker Center · Justice Now (invited)· San Francisco 8 (Black Panther Party, invited) Event: Queer & immigrant sector also highlighted.

FRIDAY, March 2, 2007. 11 am - 1 pm

Where: Gather at 16th and Mission, march to to SF Federal Building (Golden Gate x Larkin), San Francisco, CA

Why: "Stop the Raids, Fair & Just Immigration NOW!"
Organization and Contacts:Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition: Evelyn Sanchez, 510-839-7598 National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights Diana Pei Wu, 510-847-9339 ·

Performers & Speakers: Hei Gu Drummers (Chinese)

Description: March from 16 Mission BART to SF Federal Building. Program including speakers and Hei Gu Chinese Drummers.

Visuals: People of different nationalities, including parents, families, children, young people, standing up against ICE raids. Signs & colorful banners. Hei Gu Chinese Drummers.
Community Actions in Support of the Week of Action Against Raids (Partial List only -- will be updated daily at www.immigrantrights.org)

Monday, February 26, 2007

SAN FRANCISCOStreet Theater & OutreachType of Event: Street Outreach / Alcance a la ComunidadContact: Claudia ReyesOrganization: Mujeres Unidas y ActivasTelephone: 415 621 8140Email: claudia@mujeresunidas.netTime: 4-7pmLocation: 16th St x Mission, San FranciscoDetailed Event Description: Members of Mujeres Unidas y Activas will be doing street outreach and community theater. Miembras de Mujeres Unidas y Activas estaran haciendo alcance y teatro comunitario.

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

SAN FRANCISCOMI COMUNIDAD ES SANTUARIO: Educacion en Defensa de nuestros DerechosType of Event: Public Action (like a vigil or march) / Accion Publica (como una vigilia o una marcha), Street Outreach / Alcance a la ComunidadContact: Ruth GalvezOrganization: Deporten a la Migra CoalitionTelephone: 415-487-9203Email: espinoza_ruth@hotmail.comTime: 4:00pmPlace: 24th Street & MissionDetailed Event Description: Speak out and popular street theater on immigrant rights. Teatro popular y testimonios de resistencia sobre los derechos de inmigrantes
BERKELEYDREAM rallyType of Event: Public Action (like a vigil or march) / Accion Publica (como una vigilia o una marcha)Contact: Josias AguiarOrganization: R.I.S.E.Telephone: 760-960-6208Email: jaguiarquest@yahoo.comTime: noon - 1Place: Upper Sproul, UC BerkeleyDetailed Event Description: We are having a DREAM rally to create awareness about the DREAM Act and how it will impact thousands of undocumented students! Show your support because EDUCATION IS A RIGHT!

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

RICHMONDImmigration Reform: Problems and prospectsType of Event: Community Forum / Foro ComunitarioContact: Joel MarshOrganization: ACLU - Northern California & Richmond Public LibraryTelephone: (510) 620-6651Date: Wed, Feb 28, 2007Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pmPlace: Richmond Public Library - Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room; 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CADetailed Event Description: Recent raids by ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) have raised many concerns in the community. Congress is once again considering comprehensive immigration reform legislation and communities are seeking to inform themselves with a broad range of immigration issues. The panel discussion will bring together a number of experts who can help shed light onthe issues, their history and implications for our community. A Panel Discussion: Julia Harumi Mass, Staff Attorney, ACLU Northern California Ramon Cardon, Interim Executive Director, International institute of the East Bay Michael Epstein, Immigration Attorney Gayle Mclaughlin, Mayor of Richmond Moderator: ACLU BARK + Board Mwember Joel marsh, Immigration Attorney and Adjunct Professor of Law, Golden Gate University
SAN FRANCISCOMI COMUNIDAD ES SANTUARIO: Educacion en Defensa de nuestros DerechosType of Event: Street Outreach / Alcance a la ComunidadContact: Terry Valen and Teresa Almaguer Organization: Filipino Community Center (FCC) and People Organized to Defend Environmental and Economic Rights (PODER)Telephone: Terry Valen: (415) 333-6267, Teresa Almaguer (415) 431-4210 Email: terrencevalen@yahoo.com, tere_la_change@yahoo.comTime: 4:00pmPlace: Excelsior District, TBADetailed Event Description:

Thursday, March 1, 2007 OAKLANDJornaleros por la JusticiaType of Event: Community Forum / Foro Comunitario, Press Conference / Rueda de Prensa, Cultural Event / Evento Cultural, Public Action (like a vigil or march) / Accion Publica (como una vigilia o una marcha)Contact: Carlos MaresOrganization: Lucha Unida del JornaleroTelephone: (510) 437-1554Email: maresluchaunida@yahoo.com.mxTime: 4:00 PMDetailed Event Description: Starts at Fruiitvale BART Station plaza area & marches @5:30 pm to LUJ space at 2501 International Blvd. Lucha Unida del Jornalero, a community organization of Oakland day laborers, is convening a vigil and cultural celebration to denounce the recent immigration police raids and demand just and fair immigration reforms. From 4:00-5:30 pm, we will hold a vigil and rally, including a press briefing. Our event will include speakers, poets, community and street corner day labor leaders, colorful art banners, candles and the names of those who have suffered loss of family members, co-workers and neighbors to immigration laws and raids. Then about 5:30 pm, LUJ will lead a march down International Boulevard (East 14th Street) to the Oakland's new Workers' Center, located at 2501 International Boulevard, where we will continue the program and briefing with more speakers, poetry, song as lively community gathering, sharing refreshments, sweet bread and coffee to close out the evening of voices for justice and peace in immigration services and reform.

OAKLANDStreet Theater & OutreachType of Event: Street Outreach / Alcance a la ComunidadContact: Claudia ReyesOrganization: Mujeres Unidas y ActivasTelephone: 415 621 8140Email: claudia@mujeresunidas.netTime: 4-7pmLocation: Fruitvale & San Antonio Neighborhoods, OaklandDetailed Event Description: Members of Mujeres Unidas y Activas will be doing street outreach and community theater. Miembras de Mujeres Unidas y Activas estaran haciendo alcance y teatro comunitario.
SAN FRANCISCOROLLING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTSType of Event: Street Outreach / Alcance a la ComunidadContact: MarisolOrganization: People Organized to Win Employment Rights (POWER)Telephone: 415 UNITE72Email: Time: 4-7pmLocation: Tenderloin District, San FranciscoDetailed Event Description: Members of POWER will be rolling around on a flatbed truck and sound system to raise awareness about people's rights in light of the ICE raids and ICE intimidation on corners in the Tenderloin, and also to raise awareness about the march the following day.
About the Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition The Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition (BAIRC) is a broad based coalition of nearly 40 organizations and individuals working to improve the lives living condition of immigrants. For more information: www.immigrantrights.org, Organizations sponsoring the Week of Actions include: Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition, Deporten a la Migra, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, La Raza Centro Legal Day Labor Program, Arab American Legal Center, St Peters Housing Committee, POWER, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, Chinese Progressive Association, San Francisco Central Labor Council