<nettime> March for Unconditional General Amnesty, October 14th, 2000

[florian schneider <fls@kein.org>]

from: Joelmrsj@aol.com
October 12, 2000


March for Unconditional General Amnesty, 
October 14th, 2000

New York, Chicago, Miami, Seattle, Denver, Oregon, Austin, are the
cities that have been confirmed for a mobilization by the National
Coalition for Dignity and Amnesty, on October 14th, where more than
100,000 immigrants will gather to demand a General Unconditional
Amnesty, calling upon Democrats and Republicans, and presidential
candidates of this country, to pronounce themselves in favor of a
proposal for a law that addresses this demand. The March in New York
will start on 58th Street and 8th Avenue, at 10 AM this October 14th,
and will go on 57th Street and then 2nd Avenue to United Nations. 

There are two initial demands proposed by the National Coalition for
Dignity and Amnesty: (1) A General Unconditional Amnesty for all
undocumented immigrants who are already in the United States so they can
obtain Permanent Residency and immediate family reunification, and (2) A
new entry system for workers who are solicited by the U.S. economy, by
way of a Temporary Residency of three years, granted with the obligation
to pay taxes and the right to social security, to organize and unionize
to defend one's labor rights. This system must be implemented to avoid
having workers cross the border by paying a smuggler, to end the
numerous deaths on the border caused by Operation Gatekeeper, and to
prevent employers from taking advantage of undocumented workers to whom
they pay half of the minimum salary and who must endure inhuman work
schedules of two shifts, treated as slaves and without any kind of
benefit. 

The National Coalition for Dignity and Amnesty that already incorporates
more than 300 organizations of 25 states, since its inception in April
of 1999, has pressured and sought support from Congress people and
Senators to convert its demands into a legal proposal. Among other
Congressmen and Senators who support the demands is Congressman Luis
Gutierrez, for the state of Illinois, who has most expressed a
willingness to listen to and support these demands. And to offer a
response to these demands, he would introduce to the U.S. Congress, on
October 2nd, a proposal to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act,
and to change the registration date from January 1, 1972 to August 26,
2000. Congressman Luis Gutierrez announced it on September 25th, in an
audience of the Chicago City Council. 

Even though Gutierrez proposal is not a complete response to the demands
of the National Coalition for Dignity and Amnesty, and knowing that its
struggle must continue for the sake of undocumented immigrants and their
families who are still excluded by this amendment, the members of the
National Coalition for Dignity and Amnesty have decided to seek the
support of other Congressmen to support the introduction of the
Amendment Proposal, so that all immigrants who arrived before August 26,
2000 will be granted Permanent Residency.

The National Coalition for Dignity and Amnesty calls to unity and
support for this amendment, all organizations, unions, churches and
coalitions that have been supporting various legal proposals for the
permanent residency of their constituencies, and who would be included
in this proposal.

The National Coalition for Dignity and Amnesty continues to oppose all
Guest Worker Visas (H-2C), Bracero programs, and H-2A and H-2B visas
that operate only as legal contracts of slavery, that most adversely
affect undocumented workers, and prevent the legal defense of their
labor rights.

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