Denounce ICE Raid in New Bedford, MA on 3/7/07

NEW BEDFORD MIGRANT WORKERS ARE NOT THE ENEMY
Massachusetts, March 7, 2007

An army of 300 federal immigration agents from the U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has conducted yet another military
style raid on migrant workers in the country. This time it was the turn for
an East Coast location, New Bedford, Massachusetts where scores of workers
were taken away. ICE, a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
explains that their objective is "to more effectively enforce our
immigration and customs laws and to protect the U.S. against terrorist
attacks. ICE does this by targeting illegal immigrants: the people, the
money and materials that support terrorism and other criminal activities."
(From their website "About us" section). The terms "terrorism" and
"illegal immigrants" are deliberately used under the same breath by ICE
officials to sow confusion in the minds of the public. We need to ask them
exactly what those 'terrorist
acts' are that these hard working New Bedford leather workers were accused of in
that horrific military operation this morning. Most of the workers in the
Michael Bianco Textile plant are women. Many in desperation ran into the frigid
waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A Coast Guard helicopter however hovered overhead to
give information to land troops about the location of the "enemy". While the
federal and state governments fail so miserably in providing resources for the
overall health, education, transportation, and other vital needs for millions of
tax paying residents, our tax dollars are used to terrorize decent hard working
people who only wish to provide for their families. This raid should outrage
all people of good will. The Boston May Day Coalition stands firmly in solidarity
with the victims of this overwhelming, military-style attack on migrant workers.
We call on all who support justice to demand the immediate release of all victims
of this raid
and an end to the raids, arrests, and deportations being carried out throughout the
country. Release all who are being held without criminal charge NOW! These people
are not criminals. We call on all who support justice to participate in all
actions being called this Spring demanding an end to the raids and for full,
immediate, unconditional, and non-revocable legal residence for all undocumented
migrant workers. We must prepare now for the large mobilizations being organized
for May Day 2007 in defense of the rights of migrant workers and working people in
general. Politicians and enforcement officials must be made aware that the
whole world is watching. The world will mobilize on May Day to demand that no human
being should ever be considered illegal anywhere in the world.
Boston May Day Coalition
http://www.bostonmayday.org
email: info [at] bostonmayday.org
617-290-5614



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