We will be meeting at the Steelworkers Union (2829 University Ave SE,
Minneapolis, MN) at 1 pm on Sunday April 9th to join up with others
marching to support our immigrant brothers and sisters and the struggle
for the dignity of all workers. If you have questions please call
Merideth at 612-702-8542 or Gerardo Cajamarca at 612-623-8003.

Minnesota Prepares for its Largest Pro-Immigrant Mobilization

by Alondra Espejel and Mary Turck

From out of the shadows and into the streets! During the past two
weeks, millions of people across the country have come together to
demonstrate the power of the Immigrant community against anti-immigrant
legislative proposals. From far and wide, all the way from Chicago,
Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Houston, Arizona to Washington, whole families
have hit the streets to protest and demand their rights.

And now, it's Minnesota's turn. Infused with the energy of the movement
that is beginning to unfold across the country, immigrants and their
allies will march to celebrate the contributions of the immigrant
community and to oppose any anti-immigrant proposals.

On Sunday, April 9, after meeting at the St. Paul Cathedral at 2:30 pm,
we will all march towards the Capitol building to demonstrate our
strength and unity. This march is part of a national week of action
coordinated to support an immigration reform that is fair and brings
dignity to all immigrants.

"People have to come out into the streets on Sunday, to show that we as
immigrants are hard working people that struggle for our families and
our children, so they can have a better future. We are not
'criminals,' we are human beings and we deserve dignity and respect," says Mariano
Espinoza, an immigrant community leader of Minneapolis. "Immigrants in
this country are waking up, the immigrant people of Minnesota should
not wait any longer, the time to fight for our rights is now," Espinoza
asserted.

"We are expecting thousands of people from all over the state, we have
strong reason to believe this will be the biggest pro-immigrant march
in the history of Minnesota," organizer Teresa Ortiz said. Ortiz
emphasized that this march, like the previous march in February, is an
action supported by the Alliance for Fair Federal Immigration Reform of
Minnesota (AFFIRM) and organized by the member organizations and
individuals of this coalition.

This is an event organized by religious, civic, community and labor
organizations alongside students and individuals.

If you have questions or want more information, please call:
651-287-0660