Leaders from PCUN and Causa join with others in Alabama to Renew Call for Civil Rights

For Immediate Release
March 5, 2012

Contact:
Ramon Ramirez, ramonramirez@pcun.org 503-989-0073
Larry Kleinman, larrykleinman@pcun.org 503-781-1132

Leaders from PCUN and Causa join with others to Renew Call for Civil Rights

Groups Call on Alabama to Repeal its Anti-Immigration Law

(March 5, 2012) — Latinos, Blacks and a host of civil rights, labor and immigrant rights groups will participate in a historic reenactment of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March from March 4 to March 9 in Alabama. These events will mark the coming together of a broad movement for a renewed call for civil rights in America. A core part of the agenda will demand the repeal of the Alabama’s vehemently anti-immigrant law, HB56.

The 1965 march was a key moment in the civil rights movement. Unfortunately, the fight for civil rights continues today in a state with a dark history of racial discrimination. How Alabama’s legislature responds, and pending decisions before federal district courts and the Supreme Court on immigration laws like HB56, will hold profound implications for all communities.

“This March is a profound opportunity to stand in solidarity and return to the cradle of the civil rights movement at a time when the civil rights advances of the last century are being rolled back in communities across America.

“HB56 is not just a Latino issue, or just a labor issue. It is affecting everyone and sets a dangerous precedent for other states,” said Ramon Ramirez, President of Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN) and Board President of Causa. “Not only has it legitimized racial profiling and terrorized persons of color regardless of legal status, it is also harming the state’s economy.”

According to a recent report, the state stands to lose between 70,000 and 140,000 jobs, and up to $10.8 billion in economic output due to the enactment of HB56.

“Unless business, labor and civil rights and human rights groups, and other communities come together to rein in this growing intolerance, acts of intimidation against foreigners will continue and our economy will suffer,” said Ramirez.

The march will be held from March 4-9. On March 8, immigration rights will be the focus of the marchers. On March 9, a rally will be held at the steps of the State Capitol.

For more information about PCUN and Causa, go to http://www.pcun.org/ and http://www.causaoregon.org/

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Day of Action for Tuition Equity at Oregon State Capitol this Tuesday

MEDIA ADVISORY
February 17, 2012

Contact:
Emily McLain, Oregon Students Association (OSA), 971-221-9778
Erik Sorensen, Causa Oregon, 503-488-0263
Andrew Riley, Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO), 503-287-4117 ext. 106

Day of Action for Tuition Equity at Oregon State Capitol this Tuesday

Salem, Ore. -- Students, parents, teachers, and members of the business, faith, and the higher education community will gather at the Oregon State Capitol on February 21st for a Day of Action in Support of Tuition Equity. Tuition Equity will ensure that every Oregon student, regardless of their immigration status, has fair access to quality and affordable higher education.

The Informational Session and action on Tuesday is the first step to lay the groundwork for introduction and passage of Tuition Equity Legislation in 2013 and to give an opportunity to those who sat on the sidelines last session to join the popular support of this very important legislation for Oregon.

In 2011, Republicans and Democrats in the Oregon State Legislature came together in support of tuition equity. They believed it was right to follow through on an investment in Oregon’s students beyond the high-school level, to raise the level of education in Oregon and infuse our public universities with more tuition dollars. Although Oregon’s Historic Tuition Bill SB742 passed the Senate, in the end it was blocked by process and opposition in the House-- failing short by just 5 votes needed for passage.

Join students, parents, teachers, and members of the business, faith, and the higher education community at the Oregon State Capitol this Tuesday, February 21st for Tuition Equity Action Day. There will be an informational session in the House Higher Education hearing room around 4pm.

What: Tuition Equity Action Day: Informational Session, and supporter action day

Where: Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court Street Northeast, Salem, OR

When: February 21, 2012 3:30 to 5:30pm.

Supporters of Tuition Equity will gather to show that students, teachers, faith leaders, business owners and community members believe in the future of our students.

FACTS
Tuition Equity will ensure that every Oregonian has fair access to quality and affordable higher education. It will also make it possible for ALL Oregon Students, regardless of their citizenship status, to be able to pay in-state tuition. And besides capitalizing on the investment in Oregon's K-12 students, it would boost the education level of Oregon's workforce and bring in more tax dollars to the state's general fund.

To qualify for in-state tuition, a student must meet the following requirements, regardless of their documentation status:

• They have attended an Oregon high School for at least three (3) years
• They have graduated from an Oregon high school
• They have been admitted to an Oregon University System Institution
• They are working towards residency

Organizations in support of tuition equity legislation include Oregon Student Association (OSA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Oregon Education Association (OEA), Center For Intercultural Organizing (CIO), Causa, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Organization, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Asian Paciic American Network of Oregon (APANO) Associated Oregon Industries, Oregon Business Association, and many others.

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Over 2500 March in Alabama for Repeal of Anti-immigrant Law

December 20, 2011



Causa's Francisco Lopez with children, students and famlies at rally in Alabama

Montgomery, Ala. -- Last weekend, members of Causa, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Organization were in Alabama for Fair Immigration Reform Movement's (FIRM) Immigrant National Convention. The convention brought together immigrant rights groups from around the country and leaders from Alabama to train and plan on how to beat back anti-immigrant bills, push for pro-immigrant legislation, and continuing the fight for humane, comprehensive immigration reform.

On Saturday, organizations and individuals from all over the Nation held rally and march for the repeal of Alabama’s Anti-immigrant law known as HB 56. The turn-out, which included Freedom Riders, DREAM students, leaders from civil, immigrant and labor rights organizations and families, was estimated between 2500 and 3000 people.

The Alabama law was passed in June by the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by GOP Gov. Robert Bentley. Parts of the law took effect in late September while other parts were blocked by federal courts after successful lawsuits by the Obama Administration and immigrant rights and faith-based organizations.

On December 14th, Human Rights Watch issued 52 page report detailing how the Alabama law denies unauthorized immigrants and their families, including US citizen children, their basic rights, threatening their access to everyday necessities and equal protection of the law. The report is based in part on first-hand accounts by 57 Alabama residents, including citizens and permanent residents, who reported abuse or discrimination under the law.

The law has even drawn national attention over a couple embarrassing incidents with workers from Alabama’s Honda and Mercedes plants. Earlier this month, it was reported that Republicans who passed the law are facing backlash from the Alabama business community after two foreign workers were stopped by police for not carrying “proof of legal residency”. Many believe the incidents have turned public opinion against the draconian law.

After the incidents, the Republican attorney general called for some of the strictest parts of it to be repealed. The Birmingham Business Alliance told the Associated Press that the law is tainting Alabama's image around the world, while Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day said the law is rekindling the memories of Alabama's civil rights past saying "It's bringing back old images from 40 or 50 year ago."

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Sit-in for Racial Equity staged at Capitol Offices of OR State Representatives

Salem, Ore -- This morning, 75 people staged a sit-in at the Capitol offices of Oregon State Representatives Andy Olson (R-Albany), Vicki Berger (R-Salem) and Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay). Those participating included students, parents, clergy and members of a diverse coalition of organizations including CAUSA, the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO), Urban League, Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO) and Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS).

The Sit-in was in direct response to bills promoting racial equity--those allowing all Oregonians greater access to basic rights like quality health care and affordable education-- being blocked by partisan gridlock and obstructionism.

Participants in this morning’s action called on the leadership from both parties to work with one another and with those legislators, business leaders, community leaders and countless Oregonians who have already united to support these bills and to break from the status quo and advance racial equity.

“The time has come to rise above partisanship and politics and recognize that people of color make up over 20% of the population of our great state”, said Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA Oregon. “The issues we bring to our lawmakers will not simply go away with the end of session. They need to do what is right for all Oregonians now.”

Participants agreed to end the sit-in after 30 minutes in exchange for a meeting with the Republican and Democratic House Leadership to discuss the future of Tuition Equity and other legislation that promotes Racial Equity.

Currently, Senate Bill 742 Tuition Equity, one of the important pieces of legislation for Oregon’s communities of color, is still sitting in the House Rules Committee and being obstructed from having an up or down vote in the Oregon House.

View additional photos here:
http://s516.photobucket.com/albums/u329/CAUSAOregon/Sit-in%20for%20Racial%20Equity/?albumview=slideshow

Related News Coverage

Ethnic organizations demand racial equity at sit-in The Oregonian

Protestors try to dislodge stalled in-state tuition bill Salem Statesman Journal

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