Pitzer College hosts May Day rally

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Story in the DailyBulletin.com 

Photo

Pomona Pitzer student Beatriz Stambuk (center), 20, speaks to those gathered on Tuesday during a May Day rally. (Will Lester/Staff Photographer)

CLAREMONT – Pitzer College students braved the chilly weather Tuesday to join in the May Day events that popped up across the country.From noon to midnight students, professors and faculty members filtered in and out of the grassy hills that made up the designated rally area to talk about the struggles of labor and hear what passionate protestors had to say.

“We wanted a local event regarding May Day,” said Marc Lichterman, a 19-year-old freshman who helped organize the event. “My first instinct was to go to LA, but I wanted to focus on where I live.”

Speakers included Jose Calderon, emeritus professor of sociology and chicano and latino studies, and Dana Ward, a political studies professor, who talked about the struggles connected to the working class, gave the history of May Day and related it to present issues.May Day in the United States is a celebration of the labor movement, officials said. This year, a number of demonstrations, rallies and strikes were formed nationally to spotlight fair wages, the need for jobs and equality.

Those involved in the college rally called for students to skip classes as part of the May Day general strike. To allow students to participate, some professors canceled Tuesday classes.
“We want to raise awareness,” said Camille Matonis, another 19-year-old freshman organizer. “We want (students) to recognize there’s a problem with the system.”

While the rally at Pitzer paled in comparison to the national events, Lichterman said he was happy with their efforts.
“During the day we had a lot of really good conversations and discussions about the issue,” he said. “And that’s what I wanted.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Lori via email or call her at 909-483-9378.

 

Are We United Today? Are We Committed Today?

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 May Day Presentation at May 1 rally in Claremont.

By Jose Calderon

May Day Image

Artwork above by Rini Templeton

Let me ask you: Are We United Today? Are we committed today? Are we willing to make a long-term commitment today?

Today, we commemorate Lucy Gonzalez and her husband Albert Parsons who fought for the eight hour day back in the 1880’s. They were examples of commitment – are we committed today?

It is important to understand that today is May day, a holiday that began in the 1880’s in the U. S. – and is now commemorated all over the world – but was purposely excluded in the U. S. by the powers that be – for what it represents – a day to commemorate working people internationally.. Are we united today?

This day is historic – and commemorates the fight for an eight-hour work day back in the 1880’s – commemorates the killing of strikers by the police in the Chicago McCormick Reaper Workers factory – commemorates the mass demonstrations of workers in Chicago’s Haymarket Square to protest the killings of these strikers — and is a legacy for reflecting on the struggles and accomplishments of the people who pick our food, construct our houses, make our clothes.

It is a day to remember the 17 workers who were fired at Pomona College – many who had given of their labor for over 20 years – but were targeted — clearly – when the workers were in the process of organizing a union.

Brothers and Sisters, there is no better gift to meaning of May Day and all workers who have given of their lives. In this context, it is important to support the meaning of May day by supporting the efforts of the workers at Pomona College – and to raise our voices – to tell the Pomona College administration – shame on you for being one of the richest colleges in the nation, but, after using the labor of so many workers who have put food on our tables — you have used an old employer tactic of using a documentation check to fire workers who were only asking for a voice – for a right to have a vote without being intimidated – to be treated as human beings. On this day May Day, Pomona College – we call on you to practice the principles and values of this day – and get back to being the diverse, just, and dignified college that you profess to be. Brothers and Sisters – Are we making a commitment today?

Rather than an increase in narrow enforcement policies that are promoting wasted resources on militarizing our borders and compelling local police officers to enforce federal immigration laws – let us support the DREAM ACT which addresses the tragedy of young people who grew up in the U. S. and who have graduated from U. S. high schools but who, because of current immigration laws, have no mechanism for obtaining in-state tuition in the institutions of higher education and who have no way of obtaining legal residency. Are we committed to our AB-540 students today?

Let us support efforts that will allow immigrant workers the right to work here and receive legalization rights that will lead to permanent residency and citizenship. This means Genuine legalization proposals to adjust the status for all undocumented immigrants where they can be treated as full human beings — with no expansion of temporary guest worker programs and with labor law protections. Are we committed to stopping the scapegoating of our immigrant brothers and sisters and uniting all that can be united today?

In recent months, our organizing efforts of broad coalitions have been effective in this state by challenging the federal government’s immigration enforcement policies by organizing and passing legislation allowing undocumented students, not only to go to college, but to receive financial aid. We took on the use of checkpoints in the city of Pomona to discriminate against undocumented and forced the city to first make changes in its checkpoint policies – but eventually were part of a movement that resulted in the Governor signing a bill that allows anyone stopped at a checkpoint without a driver’s license to have someone come and pick up their car. This will kill the millions of dollars being made by the tow truck and impoundment companies. The governor, as a result of these movements, also signed a bill that called for neither California nor any of its cities, counties, or special districts –use E-Verify — because of its proven record of mistakes in particularly raciallly profiling our Mexican/Latino communities. Now, we are also gathering signatures to enact a new law that gives qualified undocumented immigrants who pay state income taxes the option to enter a program whose participants will gain relief from federal enforcement and whose labor will be decriminalized.

In the tradition of May Day, let us not be divided. Let us reward immigrant workers for all the contributions that they have made and are making. Most of all, let’s unite all that can be united and redefine Capitalism’s definition of “growth” as a basis for gauging whether there is progress.

Let us build examples of “systemic change” where the resources are used for a new type of growth that is rooted in creating a better quality of life for all – institutions and social enterprises that use the resources produced by workers for serving just and equitable community-building goals.

Once again, Let me ask you: Let me ask you: Are We United Today? Are we committed today? Are we willing to make a long-term commitment to unite all that can be united?

Si Se Puede! Si Se Puede!

 

 


May Day Action in Riverside. Join us this year, 2012!

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May Day Action in Riverside. Join us this year, 2012!

 

http://www.facebook.com/events/333003980092866/

May Day 2012 – Immigrant Rights Are Workers Rights

Immigrant Rights Are Worker RightsPhoto May Day 09

International Worker Holiday Celebrating the Immigrant Struggle in the Inland Empire. We will rally at Riverside City Hall and march to Bordwell Park.

Since 2006, May Day has taken center stage to uphold and defend the rights of millions of undocumented immigrants in this country. Join us as we celebrate this International Workers Holiday.

In the past year, we have seen the continuous attacks and persecution of the immigrant community and immigrant workers in the Inland Empire.

  • – We have seen the opening of a for-profit immigrant detention center in Adelanto, Ca.
  • – We have seen the arrests of workers, day laborers students and community members who have been caught up in detention via the innumerable enforcement-only programs and legislation; Secure Communities, 287(g), E-Verify, among others.
  • – We have seen the direct persecution and tearing apart of families with a case of family awaiting deportation after a run-in with US Forest Service during an outing to Lytle Creek near the San Bernardino Mountains.
  • – We have seen the termination of the dining hall workers at Pomona College, whom during their efforts to obtain neutralization to form a union were fired after the school administration demanded them to show proof of proper documentation.
  • – In both Riverside and San Bernardino County, we have seen day laborers, while looking for work approached, detained and arrested by immigration agencies.

These and many other situations continue to trouble the immigrant community in the IE.

There have also many triumphs in the past so join us as we celebrate those and make a call to uphold the civic and human rights of all immigrants in this country.

More info – f.romero@justiceforimmigrantscoalition.org

 

Los derechos de los inmigrantes son derechos laborales

Día Internacional del Trabajador y Trabajadora en Celebración de la Lucha Migrante en el Inland. Manifestaremos en el Palacio Municipal de Riverside y marcharemos al Parque Bordwell.

Desde el año 2006, el Primero de Mayo ha sobresalido como un día para defender los derechos de millones de inmigrantes indocumentadxs en este país. Únete a la celebración este Día de Trabajo.

En este último año, la comunidad inmigrante y trabajadores inmigrantes del Inland han vivido una persecución continua.

  • -Se ha abierto un centro de detenciones para inmigrantes con fines de lucro en la ciudad de Adelanto, California.
  • -Hemos visto el arresto de trabajadores, jornaleros, estudiantes, y miembros de la comunidad que han sido detenidos mediante los innumerables programas y leyes de deportación, entre ellos Comunidades Seguras, 287(g), verificación electrónica, entre otros.
  • -Hemos visto persecución directa y la separación de familias en el caso de una familia en proceso de deportación después de encontrarse con el Servicio Forestal en al bosque de Lytle Creek durante una excursión a las montañas de San Bernardino.
  • -Hemos visto el despedido de trabajadores del comedor del Colegio Pomona, quienes luchaban para un proceso imparcial para sindicalizarse. Fueron despedidos después de que el colegio les pidió documentación.
  • -Tanto en el condado de Riverside como en el condado de Riverside, agentes de la migra han arrestado y detenido a jornaleros que solo buscaban empleo en las esquinas.

También ha habido muchos triunfos en este año y por lo tanto, les hacemos una invitación para festejarlos y hacer un llamado para defender los derechos humanos y cívicos de todxs lxs inmigrantes de este país.

Para mayor información comuníquese al correo electrónico f.romero@justiceforimmigrantscoalition.org

To see Latino/a Roundtable of the San Gabriel Valley and Pomona Valley’s Wall, follow the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/n/?permalink.php&story_fbid=265497343543763&id=127893751357&mid=5f27131G1e5635a4G8bb6ef8G3a&bcode=11du2ka4&n_m=jose_calderon%40pitzer.edu

UPDATE ON DINING HALL WORKERS ISSUE

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This last weekend, a panel, “Pomona College Fires 17: Union Organizing and Immigrant Rights in the Inland Empire” was held as part of the 2012 Annual Meeting of the California American Studies Association (CASA). It was a good discussion with involvement from some faculty members from Loyola Marymount and other colleges. The presenters included myself, student Eric Martinez Cornejo, Christian (the dining hall worker, Tomas Sandoval, and Victor Silverman. In terms of the future, it was discussed strengthening the alumni support — and that the numbers of those not donating is growing. Continue reading →

Free Martin Berrospe!

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Day laborer and community leader unjustly detained

Martin-Berrospe

Martín Berrospe Yépez , day laborer

On March 24th, Martin Berrospe, a day laborer and leader in Rancho Cucamonga, was mistaken for someone else and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the national “Cross-Check” operation. He was walking to the day laborer corner early one morning when ICE stopped and questioned him. Although they could not identify his immigration status, and they did not have a warrant for his arrest, he was handcuffed, put into the car, and told that he would be deported within a few hours. When the ICE agents tried to get Martin to sign papers so that he could be deported that same day, Martin stood up for himself and demanded to see a judge, boldly telling them, “I belong to an organized day laborer group and I know my rights!” Since then, he has been in the Mira Loma Detention Center in Lancaster, CA. The prosecutor representing ICE and the U.S. government acknowledged that they picked up the wrong person and the judge recognized that Martin is a “good person.” Continue reading →

Las Comadres Texas Public Policy and Civic Engagement

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Historia Chicana

23 April 2012

From: project mas [projectmas@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 8:31 PM
To:project mas; red latina; enable new; Roberto Calderon UNT

Subject: Involve Latinas in Public Policy. Deadline May 3rd

Latinos are one of the fastest growing groups in Texas and throughout the country, yet the small number of Latinas involved in the political process statewide is startling.

Las Comadres Para Las Americas hopes to change this, one comadre at a time. Las Comadres is proud to announce that the application period for the Texas Public Policy and Civic Engagement Program (TPP-ACE) 2012 has opened.

The deadline to submit the application is May 3, 2012. Continue reading →

Annual Meeting of the California American Studies Association (CASA)

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The Claremont Colleges Program in American Studies is hosting the 2012 Annual Meeting of the California American Studies Association (CASA).  Of interest to local community-based organizations is a roundtable focusing on the issue of the firing of 17 dining hall workers at Pomona College:

 

Saturday, April 21st, from 10:30-12:15 a.m. in Broad Hall 214

“Pomona College Fires 17: Union Organizing and Immigrant Rights in the Inland Empire”

Chair: Victor Silverman (History, Pomona College)

Roundtable Participants: Isabel Juarez (Pomona College ’13); José Calderón (Pitzer College); Tómas Summers Sandoval (Pomona College)

Attached is the full program:

CASA.2012.Program

Pitzer College Benefit Car Wash!!

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Please bring you cars out on friday April 20, 2012 in support for the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center and the Fernando Pedraza Community Coalition!!!!

image ad

–Carwash Friday April 20, 2012, on the service road in between the Grove House and Atherton.

-Time:10:00 am-2:00pm

-Bring your cars, bikes, whatever!!!!!

-The cost is only $5 (Donations are also accepted :D)

All profits go to both the PEOC and the Fernando Pedraza Community Coalition

 

–The PEOC is a non-profit day labor organization whose mission is to provide an opportunity for day laborers to find safe work at a fair wage, to organize and advocate for themselves, to obtain new trades and skills that improve their employability and quality of life, and to improve the overall conditions for all workers..

 

–The Fernando Pedraza Community Coalition is a loose coalition of day laborers, community members, organizers, and students from the Claremont Colleges and Cal Poly Pomona.

-The goal is to create and maintain a relationship between each group and to create a supportive network for the workers. This includes teaching English, computers, and organizing and helping to fundraise for soccer games, emergencies and other events and needs that present themselves.

Noemi Larrondo

Pitzer College 2014

Pol Stds/Chicano Stds

Spanish Minor

 

PLEASE COME & SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Pomona council grants center funds

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Monica Rodriguez, Staff Writer Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

POMONA – City Council members this week approved allocating $37,000 to the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center.

Council members voted unanimously to allocate the funds, which will help the center continue operating until the end of June.

Nine speakers went before the council on Monday and briefly spoke about the center and how it serves Pomona residents and day laborers.

The center, found on Mission Boulevard just east of the 71 Freeway, is often referred to as the Pomona Day Labor Center and for about 15 years has helped workers obtain short-term and long-term jobs. The center has assisted workers negotiate fair wages in addition to helping them in other areas such as learn English and improving their jobs skills.

Councilman Steve Atchley said the funding will help the center in the short term. “Maybe we bought a little time,” he said.

The center has made great progress finding other revenue sources that have allowed it to reduce its reliance on city funding, Atchley said. It’s difficult to say if the city will be able to help the center in the future, he said.

The city must close a $2.5 million gap in the 2012-13 fiscal year budget and prepare for 2013-14, which is expected to be another financially difficult fiscal year, Atchley said.

To provide some assistance to the center, the city will need an increase in revenue, one time funds or some help from the state, he said. However, Atchley said he’s not counting on the state to provide cities with assistance.

For about 13 years, the city has provided financial assistance to the center, according to a city staff report. The last eight years of funding came from the city’s Redevelopment Agency. The last time the Redevelopment Agency provided financial assistance to the center was for the 2010-11 fiscal year when $123,930 was allocated, according to the city staff report.

Funds were not allocated for the 2011-12 fiscal year as a result of the passage of legislation approving the dismantling of the state’s redevelopment agencies, which left the future of the city’s agency unclear.

The center has survived with the use of grants, reserves and in-kind services and by scaling back some of its hours of operation.

The funds the City Council allocated for the center came from the General Fund’s General Services Division budget.

That budget contains funds for general government expenses such as dues for government associations, for some contract services and for contingencies, said Mark Gluba, assistant to the city manager.

Some expenses in that budget area “did not come to fruition,” said Raymond Fong, the city’s redevelopment director.

City administrators proposed using some of those funds for the center.

How to fund the center for the 2012-2013 fiscal year will be a matter to be addressed as part of the budget development process, Fong said.

The center will need at least $75,000 from the city to operate the coming year and efforts will made assist with that sum, he said.

However, “we’re not guaranteeing $75,000,” Fong said.

The $75,000 is the minimum needed to keep the center running, said Suzanne Foster, the center’s executive director. To continue offering programs and services the center has offered it must raise $150,000 to $200,000, she said.

Finding that money will not be easy.

“A lot of foundations are not accepting unsolicited proposals,” Foster said. Some groups and foundations are only funding groups they’ve funded before or groups they’ve invited to apply for grants, she said.

So the search for funding continues, including identifying grant opportunities that fit with the work the center carries out and the needs of the workers.Reach Monica via email or call her at 909-483-9336.