Occupy group rallies for immigrant rights
Marlon Barrera of Washington Heights joined the march from Foley Square to Zuccotti Park. (Dec. 18, 2011) Credit: Steven Sunshine
About 500 demonstrators endured subfreezing temperatures Sunday as they rallied in support of immigrant rights during a march from Foley Square to Zuccotti Park.
The gathering, put together by Occupy Wall Street's Immigrant Worker Justice working group, commemorated International Migrants Day.
Demonstrators addressed the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to hear Arizona's appeal of a judicial ruling that blocked a state law cracking down on immigrants. They also protested similar laws in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Utah.
"A lot of the economic policies being protested by Occupy Wall Street have directly affected immigrant communities," said Faizah Malik, 27, a lawyer from Brooklyn, who is a member of the working group. "The goal is to bring the immigrant voice into Occupy Wall Street because immigrants are an important part of the 99 percent."
The group reached out to pro-immigrant organizations Domestic Workers United and Long Island Immigrant Alliance, as well as labor unions like SEIU-1199 that have supported OWS actions.
Protesters bundled up in winter coats, hats and scarves shivered and shuffled on their feet in the brisk weather. Some kicked a ball around to stay warm. Others huddled together and chanted in English and Spanish, calling for immigration reform.
"I think it's important to be part of the language surrounding Occupy Wall Street," said Tania Brugera, who is from Cuba. "We've been exploited by corporations same as everyone else has and should be part of the narrative of this movement."
Jeanette Caceres, 27, a teacher from Manhattan, said that she sees many children of undocumented immigrants in foster care because their parents have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or deported.
"I feel that current legislation is unfair against parents who are working hard in this country," she said.
Malik said that immigrants have been a growing voice in the OWS protests since early October, when the Immigrant Worker Justice group was formed. However, many are still afraid to join the protests, fearing arrest because of their immigration status.
