AMERICAN LABOUR/HUMAN RIGHTS:

HUNGER STRIKE FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS:

The following item is from the United Farm Workers (UFW), and it concerns a segment of the working population that is vastly expoited in the USA and which the UFW attempts to represent. Without immigrant labour the United States wouldn't function, but this labour is not only not given its due but also has to live under the threat of imminent deportation. Here's an attempt to set this right.

..................................
Day 20 of Hunger Strike for Immigration Reform:

Sign the Pledge to Vote and Take Action.
Message from UFW Vice President Diana Tellefson:

Today I proudly join the hunger strike for immigration reform. On October 15th, nearly 100 people began one of the largest hunger strikes in American history to call on Latinos, immigrants, and people of conscience to rise out of our fear and vote for change.

12 young people have been fasting continuously on water for 20 days. They are determined to encourage 1 million people to sign the pledge to vote and take action for immigrant rights. The fasters and supporters who have joined in the fast chain have been staying at a tent city in Los Angeles' historic Olvera Street. On Wednesday, they'll march to LA 's federal building calling on the new administration to take decisive action on immigration reform and will end their fast.

More than 300 people—including Congresswomen Hilda Solis, UFW Co-Founder Dolores Huerta and LA County Federation of Labor Secretary Treasurer Maria Elena Durazo--have come to the tent city and participated in the fast. Dozens of others have joined in solidarity fasts from Santa Cruz to Michigan to Florida to Washington DC, to name a few locations. Hundreds of activists and organizations throughout the country have joined them and are circulating the pledge to their friends and family.

On this historic election eve, I am proud to come to Olvera Street and participate in the fast chain to call for justice for immigrants through the power of our vote. The sacrifice of the brothers and sisters I'm joining is truly inspiring. Tonight, I will stay at the encampment; tomorrow we will go the polls and vote.

This fast is important to me because the vast majority of farm workers, who pick the fruits and vegetables that nourish this country, are undocumented. Like them, millions of other hard working immigrant families live in the shadows of our society. Our immigration system needs to change. Those who vote have the power to change it.

I am writing this to ask you to please sign the pledge and forward this e-mail to your friends and family and any organizations you belong to.

We need those who support immigrant rights to pledge to vote and go to the polls tomorrow!
Si Se Puede!

http://www.ufwaction.org/ct/LdzuCuF1ZPYS/takeaction