INTERNATIONAL WORKERS DAY 1886-2012

The right to an 8-hour working day was won with the blood of the martyrs of Chicago in 1886. 126 years later we continue to fight for the rights of all workers in the U.S.

Boston rally at 12 noon Tuesday May 1, 2012
Boston City Hall Plaza/Government Center (Cambridge & Court Streets)

Sponsored by the Boston May Day Committee (Mass. Global Action, ANSWER Coalition, Socialist Workers Party, Socialist Alternative, Socialist Party, July 26 Coalition, Tecschange, Latinos for Social Change); Coalicion Mayo 1ro (Chelsea, E. Boston, Everett); USWA local 8751Boston School Bus Union, Veterans For Peace Chapter 9 - Smedley Butler Brigade,

(Endorsement list in formation)

Download, print and distribute the flyer (Word) here.
Download, print and distribute the flyer (pdf) here.

Cambridge City Council Passes Resolution Urging the U.S. Government to Sign the U.N. Convention on Migrants Rights

The Cambridge City Council passed a resolution, presented by Councilor Marjorie Decker, on its session of December 5, declaring December 18, 2011 and annually thereafter, as International Migrants Day in Cambridge. It also urges the U.S. Government to sign and ratify the 1990 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families and to similarly recognize December 18, 2011, as International Migrants Day. The Resolution also resolved to recognize the many contributions of immigrants and refugees to society as a whole.

Pictured from bottom l-r, Councilors Decker, Vice-Mayor Davis, Simmons, Toomey, Kelley, Cheung, Seidel, Reeves, Mayor Maher

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U.S. Call to Action on December 18: a Global Day of Action Against Racism and for the Rights of Migrants, Refugees and Displaced People

In the US, we see increased enforcement and targeting of immigrant communities given priority over just solutions. We have witnessed 1 million people deported under the Obama administration, increased criminalization of immigrant families with federal programs like the misnamed Secure Communities and the spread of harsh anti-immigrant state legislation. We see the militarization of the border and the inability of Congress to pass even something as basic as the DREAM Act. All the while, the US plays a main role in creating the roots of migration - exploiting the people of the global south through unjust trade policies, supporting repressive regimes and military conflict all factors in preventing people from fulfilling their right to work and live in their home territory.

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Lessons from the struggle to defeat racist anti-immigrant amendments to the Massachusetts State Budget for FY 2012

3-Jul-2011.- This year again the Massachusetts Budget was the field that anti-immigrant politicians chose to include their nasty venom. We had a similar experience last year that was met with fierce resistance by immigrant rights advocates lead by the young people of the Student Immigrant Movement (SIM). Just like last year most of the racist, anti-immigrants amendments were either withdrawn or rejected but some elements remained. Therefore the victories were significant but partial.

The strategies used in this grassroots campaign however are very important for the movement nationwide.

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Stop Hateful Anti-Immigrant 2011 Budget Amendements in Massachusetts

06-24-2011.- Again the Student Immigrant Movement (SIM) is leading the way to oppose a set of amendments included in the budget of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that seek to deny basic human services to undocumented workers and students. SIM established a vigil camp outside the main entrance of the State House which started last monday June 20. At the same time they have galvanized support in a coalition called Mass Hope 2011. The coalition includes the National Lawyers Guild, Matahari Eye of the Day, Jobs with Justice, the New Sanctuary Movement, Arlington Street Church, Asian American Resource Workshop, MIRA, Unite Here Local 26, Dominical Development Center, Centro Presente, the Boston May Day Committee, Cambridge/Somerville for Change, PHENOM, International Action Center, Harvard SLAM, Mass. Coalition for Domestic Workers, SEIU Local 615, Brazilian Immigrant Center, Chinese Progressive Association, API Movement, Resist the Raids, Moise Kavod House, AFSC, and Projeto Nos Votamos. The coalition continues to grow and if your organization has not done so, it should do it in a hurry.

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To sign the petition, click here.

Democrats in the Massachusetts Senate who voted racist and anti-immigrant

The great majority of Senators who are members of the Democratic Party voted in favor of anti-immigrant amendments that would deprive undocumented immigrant of medical and social services. The amendement also would allow for the creation of a free 800 number to report on suspected undocumented immigrants. The Massachusetts Senate is composed of 35 Democrats and 5 Republicans. Only five decent democrats had the guts to vote against the anti-immigrant amendment. To see the roll call check on the link below.

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