Fired workers and supporters on 3-day strike

Compiled by the El Reporero staff

Maria Marroquin, Caryl Hughan, and Connie Spearing

Bay Area immigrant workers and their supporters will be engaging in a fast against the firings to draw attention to the unjust firing of hundreds of immigrants.

Even though the full Senate has begun deliberations on the Immigration Reform Bill S. 744, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency of the federal Department of Homeland Security is requiring local employers to fire hundreds of workers, saying they have no immigration papers. The administration calls its reform proposal “commonsense immigration reform,” but the fasters say there is no common sense in firing workers while Congress debates it.

These firings are often called “silent raids,” and the fasters seek to make them visible, and to express their moral outrage against the Federal government. Rev. Dr. Phil Lawson, Pastor Emeritus of Easter Hill United Methodist Church and leader of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, one of the fasters, says, “These families have done nothing wrong. They’re being punished for working, which is what people in our community are supposed to do. We will not allow these workers to be treated as though they are invisible. Being terminated because of immigration status is a violation of their human and civil rights.”

As the firings are taking place throughout the Bay Area – the fast will move each day to different symbolic locations.

From noon on Tuesday, June 11 to noon on Friday, June 14 at César Chávez Park, S. Market St., San Jose.

Wednesday, June 12, at Mi Pueblo Market, 1630 High St., Oakland.

And Thursday, June 13, at the Oakland Federal Bldg. 1301 Clay St., Oakland.

For more information call Eriberto Fernández at 650-219-5598.

Reading program at Berkeley Public Library

Studies have shown that children who continue to read over the summer maintain or improve their reading skills, avoiding the “summer slide”. Summer Reading Programs are an important and fun way to keep children reading over the summer months.

Children entering grades 1-8 earn prizes by reading of their choice books and visiting the library three times. In keeping with this year’s theme, we will be offering a variety of food related events and other deliciously fun activities. Berkeley Public Library is participating in the California State Library’s Reading is So Delicious Food Drive – everyone is invited to bring non-perishable food items to their local branch during the Summer Reading Program.

Just a sampling of our events includes: a cooking class; movies about food and other (somewhat) edible things; a Children’s Tea with Annie Barrows, author of Ivy and Bean; bilingual music from award-winning educator, author and musician Jose-Luis Orozco; Kenn Adams’ interactive Adventure Theater program and; in conjunction with the Berkeley Comic Arts Festival, a visit from the author of Babymouse!

The Berkeley Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, “Reading is So Delicious”, runs from June 14 – Aug. 17.

Please be aware that some events require pre-registration. Call 981-6223 or check http://berkeleypubliclibrary.libguides.com/summer for information and additional events.