May Day action in San Diego, California. Pedro Rios / AFSC
AFSC stands with mass movements of immigrants and workers
WASHINGTON, DC (April 30, 2019) The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) – a Quaker organization that has worked for immigrant and refugee rights for over 100 years – is joining with communities and organizations across the country for a series of actions on May 1st. This wave of protests is part of the large and growing resistance to the immigration policies of the Trump administration.
“The racist and xenophobic immigration policies of the Trump administration violate human rights, devastates families, and terrorizes communities on the border and across the country,” said Kristin Kumpf, Director of Human Mobility and Migration for AFSC. “That’s why immigrants and allies from across the nation are standing together on international workers day to demand just and humane immigration policies.”
AFSC is helping organize May Day actions in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Florida, California, and Colorado. These protests focus on a wide range of issues, including the rights of immigrant workers, the demand for permanent protections for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, access to drivers’ licenses, shutting down immigration detention centers, and the urgent need to defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.
Full list of events:
CALIFORNIA
Workers Struggle Has No Borders
May 1, 5pm at 488 8th Avenue in San Diego
A march for fair and dignified wages for all, an end to family separations, the privatization of public education, and war at home and abroad.
COLORADO
May Day Rally
May 1, 12 pm, 15151 E Alameda Pkwy, Aurora CO
A rally in solidarity with renters and workers fighting for fair housing.
FLORIDA
Our Community Says NO to SB168
May 1, 4pm, 10001 NW 87th Ave, Hialeah FL
A rally at Sen. Manny Diaz’s office in protest of his support for an unconstitutional bill that will separate immigrant families.
MASSACHUSSETTS
May 1 Coalition International Workers Day March
Everett Location
Gather at 3:00 pm, march at 3:30
Meet at Everett City Hall Broadway and Mansfield
The Everett contingent will march to/join Chelsea
Chelsea Location
Gather at 3:00 pm, march at 4:00 pm
Meet at Chelsea City Hall, Broadway, corner of Everett Ave.
The Everett and Chelsea contingents will merge and march to East Boston
East Boston
Gather at 4:00 pm
Main Rally 5:30 pm
Location: Liberty Plaza @ Meridian corner of Border St.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
A Call for a Moral Federal Budget – Defund Hate!
May 1, 3:30 pm to 5 pm starting at 1589 Elm Street in Manchester
Rally and march from Senator Maggie Hassan’s office to Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s office to ask them to support a moral federal budget that invests in safety net programs and defunds ICE and CBP.
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The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social systems.