Students to march for immigrants’ rights

Joshua Ferguson Managing Editor

Vassar students are working with Poughkeepsie community immigration activists to organize a May 1 march in support of the millions of undocumented workers in the United States. The march is set to coincide with nationwide rallies protesting anti-immigrant sentiments and a boycott.
“This march shows solidarity with people affected by this legislation,” said Eve Weissman ’06, a march participator. “It is in support of their basic human rights.” The march will begin at the corner of Main and North Hamilton Streets at 2 p.m. and end in a rally in Waryas Park. Speakers include Dutchess County legislator Joel Tyner, Assistant Professor of Sociology Light Carruyo, and Victor Monterrosa ’07.

These events are part of a larger campaign organized by the March 25 Coalition against House Resolution 4437. By assisting with the planning of protests in hundreds of cities, organizers are hoping to turn Monday, May 1 into “The Great American Boycott 2006.”
In calling for “No Work, No School, No Sales, and No Buying,” boycott organizers hope to demonstrate immigrants’ enormous impact on the national economy. Colleen Normille ’06 explained that the boycott will show that “immigrants are a vibrant and active part of our community.” Normille stressed, however, that many demonstrators are primarily concerned with local support. “We’re trying to show solidarity with members of our own community,” she said.

On Sunday, April 23, the Vassar Student Association (VSA) Council voted unanimously to endorse a letter to Dean of the College JJ Jackson calling for the administration to support students who participate in the march instead of attending class. The letter also encourages “all members of the Vassar community to sound a collective voice in opposition to draconian immigration laws and in solidarity with immigrants locally and everywhere.”

Student supporters of the march signed and submitted letters to the Acropolis Diner and the Dutch Cabin Bar and Restaurant in which they expressed support for employees planning to be absent from work on May 1 to participate in the march. Because Vassar students frequent these businesses, the planning committee hopes the owners will be sympathetic.

Students wishing to attend the march should meet on the library lawn at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 1. Participants are encouraged to wear white t-shirts and arm bands.

The recent wave of pro-immigrant demonstrations is a response to the current congressional debates on immigration reform. Last year the House passed H.R. 4437, which would speed up deportations, tighten border security and criminalize illegal immigrants. Last month, a bipartisan compromise Senate bill endorsed by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) collapsed due to partisan feuding. It would have created a guest worker program and set millions of illegal immigrants on the path to citizenship.