Antonio Vanegas worked for 3 years at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building in Washington, DC. He frequently worked close to 70 hours per week, and earning $6.50 per hour with no overtime pay. Antonio decided to join Good Jobs Nation, a campaign of workers in federal buildings standing up for respect on the job and asking President Obama to take executive action and guarantee that federal contractors pay their workforce a living wage. On May 21st, Antonio joined 150 workers from federal buildings all across DC on a one-day strike.
That same day, Antonio testified in front of members of Congress about his pay and working conditions. A few days after returning to work, he was detained by the Federal Protective Service and was told there was a problem with his ID—the same ID he had used the previous three years. FPS turned him over to ICE, and he was detained for 4 days. Antonio has an immigration hearing in August. He and his co-workers took his detention as retaliation for speaking out and he wants to let everyone that workers are not taking injustice, anymore. That’s why he is joining the hunger strike and asking the President to stop the deportations of hard-working immigrants.
National Fast to Say “Not One More Deportation”
Introduction:
Day laborers, members of the immigrant community, and organizations within the National Day Laborer Organizing Network are holding a rolling fast that begins on May Day in Mountainview, CA and continues through Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and other sites over the course of the next month a half.
Participants bring a moral voice to shift the immigration debate as they publicly share their stories of the impact of deportations on their own lives to say “Not One More” and demand the President suspend the deportations as Congress seeks immigration reform.
We Fast to Demand:
1) The President immediately suspend deportations.
With more than 1,100 people deported each day, deportations are causing a crisis with families and children separated from their loved ones at the center. We ask President Obama to use his executive power to suspend deportation as Congress seeks a just immigration reform.
2) The Democrats and Republicans pass immigration reform that’s inclusive of all 11 million undocumented people in the US.
For immigration reform to be considered comprehensive it must protect workers’ rights and civil rights, reject militarization, and eliminate the barriers to the path to citizenship so it is inclusive of all those who call the US home and are awaiting legalization.
Current Cities
Carlos Castillo is a Peruvian that arrived in the United States three years go. In Peru, he studied mechanical engineering and worked part-time in a transportation company. He decided to take the risk of coming to the United States because he had the notion that this was the country of opportunity where there were more opportunities to grow. He never imagined that things would turn so grey. He worked in everything, in restaurants, washing cars, and now in construction.
This soon helped him realize that that a large percentage of society, especially immigrants, don’t have access to resources needed to get ahead. He realized that not many enjoy the privilege of having health a insurance or a good job—the most basic things needed to live.
He is participating in the fast as a member of Trabajadores Unidos de D.C. ( Day Labores)because he wants to support the movement to liberate the immigrant community. He says that we should not let the mistreatment and discrimination against our communities continue. Carlos believes that if we want to grow, we ourselves have to organize and move forward. For him, this is only a first step taking collectively towards advancing our rights.
Carlos Mauricio was a professor at the University of El Salvador in June 1983 when he was kidnapped from his classroom, forced into an unmarked van and taken to National Police headquarters, where he was tortured for two weeks. Upon his release, he fled to the U.S.
In 2002, he was one of three plaintiffs who successfully sued two former Salvadoran Ministers of Defense for their responsibility in his imprisonment and torture. The generals were ordered to pay $54 million. In 2002, Carlos founded the Stop Impunity Project, which works to bring an end to the impunity enjoyed by human rights abusers in El Salvador.
Carlos has worked closely with the School of the Americas Watch to close this Pan American training facility. Last year, for the sixth time, he took a caravan from San Francisco through twelve cities across the country to the annual vigil to close the School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia. Carlos has also taken part in SOAW delegations to Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile in 2006, and Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras in 2007. He was instrumental in persuading the governments of Argentina, Uruguay and Bolivia to stop sending troops to the School of the Americas.
In 2006 and 2007 Carlos lived in Burma, closely monitoring the human rights situation. In 2007, he visited Cambodia, to meeting with representatives of human rights and museums of historical memory to research the Cambodian struggle against impunity. In 2008 and 2009 he lived in Peru, closely following the trial of ex-president Fujimori, as well as the indigenous uprising in the Amazon.
In November 2009, as a member of a delegation invited by President Mauricio Funes, and together with representatives of Amnesty International, the Center for Justice and Accountability, he attended ceremonies in San Salvador to commemorate the assassinations of the six Jesuit priests and their two housekeepers.
In his efforts to build a Museum of Memory in El Salvador, he is currently working with an organization of former political prisoners and torture survivors and returns to El Salvador regularly.
I'm in fasting in Washington DC to call attention to a serious problem, a problem of humanity: that deportations are unfair because they separate families. Nor is it moral to deport parents of young people born in the United States, this is against the fundamental right of children to have a family, right under the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Child, established by the United Nations.
Community Organizer, WeCount!/SFA
I am from Nicaragua and have lived in the US since the age of 12. I am the only US citizen in my mix-status family. When we lived in Nicaragua my family used to say that United States was the land of opportunities. They said immigrating here would open doors to a better life for us as a family. Shortly, after immigrating to this country, we discovered that was not the case. We discovered a world of criminalization in our schools and neighborhoods, miseducation, racial and ethnic discrimination, police and presence and surveillance, sub poverty wages, economic exploitation, cultural repression, mass incarcerations, mass deportations, family separation, etc.
As an organizer is my duty to support the efforts of my community by any means necessary. That is why I am fasting. We need to fix problems from the root and demand justice. We cannot longer accept being labeled as invaders in our own continent! We are not immigrants. We are just new neighbors in our relatives’ lands. We must refuse to be label as “illegal” and criminals in our ancestors territory. And we must resist living a life under police and ICE control. The permanent marginalization and criminalization of undocumented folks, people of color, and poor whites needs to come to an end! We cannot longer give more power to Power at the expense of our humanity. THE TIME IS NOW! We need to fight as a united front to stop being treated as second class humans. We all deserve the right to a dignified life. !Si se Puede! NOT1MOREdeportation!
Nací en Guatemala, tengo 43 de edad, soy padre de familia de 3 hijos quienes trabajan para mejorar su futuro. Llegue a Estados Unidos hace 5 anos. He trabajado en Restaurantes en la construcción, pintura, jardinería y todo lo que me permita ganarme dignamente la comida para mi familia.
Como Jornalero busco trabajo en la esquina de Polanski. Un día como a las 11 de la mañana llego una Van Azul, se bajaron hombres armados y me pidieron identificación, les di la matricula consular de mi país, me dijeron que no valía y me arrestaron.
La Unión Latina de Chicago se movilizaron con mis hijos pidiendo que me liberaran y no me deportaran. La verdad es que yo tengo mi record limpio. He venido a trabajar mi gran delito es haber entrado sin papeles para buscar la vida.
Hasta que le pasan las cosas a uno se da cuenta de lo importante que es ayudar a la comunidao. Es muy feo estar detenido y con un futuro incierto, por el esfuerzo fui liberado al día siguiente por la tarde.
Estoy viajando a Washington DC, a participar en la semana de Ayuno y en el encuentro de familias que están en proceso de deportación porque me nace ayudar a mi comunidad. Quiero que se escuche mi vos, quiero justicia, todos meremos una oportunidad de mejorar nuestras vidas.
Estoy en proceso de deportación y debo contar mi historia para que inspire a otros a luchar por que no nos separen de nuestra familia.
Pido que se paren las deportaciones y si nos dan una reforma migratoria que nos incluya a los 11 millones lo primero que are es viajar para ver a mi esposa.
Mi nombre es Lita Trejo Salvadoreña llegue a USA en 1980. Cruce las tres fronteras igual que millones, tengo 2 hijos Freddy Trejo y Lucila Trejo y cada uno tiene 2 niñas. Faena diaria es como trabajadora de casos en una escuela con jóvenes de 16 a 24 años de edad quienes están estudiando para poder conseguir su GED. El hecho de haber llegado este país con tantas dificultades y tener el privilegio de tener mis documentos me compromete moralmente con mis compatriotas y otros inmigrantes a seguir esta lucha.
El momento en que veo a los estudiantes de la escuela Next Step PCS lograr con tanto esfuerzo su GED y no poder continuar su educación debido a no tener documentos para ser elegible a una mensualidad baja, becas o a ayuda financiera también me obliga a apoyar y luchar junto con las organizaciones que están presionando al gobierno para una reforma migratoria justa para todos. Estoy haciendo este sacrificio en la huelga de hambre y estaré solidaria con la huelga mientras este en mi trabajo.
July 1st - 6th: Seattle, WA - CASA Latina
June 30th - July 31st: Philadelphia, PA - New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia
New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia is an interfaith, multicultural immigrant rights coalition. We believe immigrant communities should lead the movement for immigrant justice while allies support and stand in solidarity with them.
From June 22 to July 31, New Sanctuary Movement is holding 40 Days of Action, Fasting, and Prayer for Immigrant Justice to demand that the City of Philadelphia end all collaboration with ICE , which has resulted in mass deportations; and that Pennsylvania elected representatives vote YES for just and humane federal immigration reform. Over 70 individuals and 13 faith communities are fasting and praying for immigration justice with NSM. We will break our 40 day fast with a community meal on July 31. We invite Senator Toomey, Mayor Nutter, District Attorney Williams, and President Judge Neifield to join us and pledge their support for just immigration policies on July 31st.
While we go without food for 40 days, millions of immigrants are separated from their families for indefinite periods of time because of unjust immigration policy. At this critical time, we draw upon our powerful faith traditions and the legacy of social movements to call for 40 days of:
-Public demonstrations, rallies, and vigils
-Fasting by immigrants, allies, and faith leaders
-Prayerful events in Philadelphia-area faith communities
-Meetings with public officials
-Workshops on spiritual non-violence and immigrant justice
-Public testimonies by immigrant families facing deportation
Schedule of 40 Days events:
Sunday, June 30: Worship service at Philadelphia Praise Center
Members of the Praise Center will hold a rolling fast from June 29 – July 5.
Wednesday, July 3: A non eating Un-Barbecue Party at the Liberty Bell to demand that Philadelphia extend liberty to immigrant members of our community by ending police/ice collaboration
Sunday, July 7: Worship service at Central Baptist Church of Wayne
Members of Central Baptist Church will hold a rolling fast from July 6 – July 12.
Friday, July 12: Central Baptist Church of Wayne holds a break-the-fast celebration to end their week of fasting.
Saturday, July 13: Members of Mishkan Shalom Reconstructionist Synagogue will will hold a rolling fast from July 13 – July 19.
Sunday, July 14: Worship service at Tabernacle Church in honor of NSM’s campaign
Monday, July 15: Vigil outside of York County Detention Facility and visit inside to people in deportation proceedings.
Sunday, July 20: Worship service at Visitation BVM Church
Members of Visitation will hold a rolling fast between Saturday, July 19 – 26.
Monday, July 29: Interfaith worship service at Calvary Center for Culture and Community with West Philly Mennonite, Calvary United Methodist Church, and Kol Tzedek synagogue.
Sunday, July 27: Worship service at St. Vincent de Paul Church
Members of St. Vincent’s will hold a rolling fast between July 27 – 31.
Wednesday, July 31: Public action to break the fast with all NSM members and supporters at Arch St UMC’s Nicholls Hall from 6pm – 8pm. We invite all NSM members, supporters, sponsoring organizations, and elected officials to attend this community meal to show their support for just and humane immigration policies locally.
July 1st - 6th: Dallas, TX - Pueblo Sin Fronteras
June 21st - 28th: Graton, CA - Graton Day Labor Center
June 26th - 27th: Rhode Island - Comité de Inmigrantes en Acción
June 17th - 22nd: Morristown, NJ - Viento del Espiritu
June 10th - 15th: New Rochelle, NY - UCCW, Don Bosco Workers, y Jornaleros Unidos de Yonkers
New Rochelle, NY
37 años de edad, nació en Jalisco México, lleva diez años de vivir en Estados Unidos, tienes un hijo de 17 años.
Ayunara durante dos días en apoyo y solidaridad con las familias que sufren proceso de deportación “por lo destrozos de la separación familiar”
New Rochelle, NY
42 años de edad, es de nacionalidad Mexicana, tienes 20 años viviendo en Estados Unidos, su estatus migratorio es de residente permanente, estudiante y participa en el voluntariado del UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER OF WESTCHESTER, es la madre de Nasaret Torres ayunante en la jornada. Ayunara durante un día en apoyo a las familias que tienen el derecho de ser reconocidas a través de la aprobación de la reforma migratoria y en solidaridad con amigos y conocidos que han sido deportados y separados de sus familias.
New Rochelle, NY
Llego a Estados Unidos desde México cuando apena tenia 9 meses de edad, ahora tienes 20 años, estudiante de trabajo social, junto a su madre Rosalba Torres ayunara durante un dia en solidaridad a una amiga a la cual le deportaron su madre, quedando la familia separada, perdiendo el apartamento donde vivían y terminando de vivir en casa de una tía, ayunara también para que mas jóvenes estudiantes sean beneficiados con la acción diferida.
New Rochelle, NY
Nació en México en el año 1975, vive en Estados Unidos desde hace 19 años, donde llego con un niño de 6 meses, durante estos años ha procreados tres niños, los cuales son ciudadanos americanos mientras que ella y su hijo mayor aun siguen estando indocumentados. Durante doce años vivió bajo situación de violencia domestica, siendo humillada, maltratada, violada por su pareja, situación que marco negativamente su vida, produciendo unas series de secuelas negativas en ella y su familia.
Angélica durante todo este tiempo ha soñado con una reforma migratoria, una reforma que les permita salir de la clandestinidad, por desconocimiento y temor nunca denuncio los abuso a lo que fue sometida, tampoco se amparo en la ley que le permitía normalizar su estatus migratorio por la violencia domestica a la era sometida, cuando recibió la orientación adecuada ya tenia seis años de haberse separado de su abusador, y se le negó la posibilidad de normalizar su estatus. Ayunara por tres días, hará un ayuno con la esperanza de que se aprueba la reforma migratoria, para no tener el riesgo de que ni por un momento la separen de sus hijos, ya que ellos son el motor de su vida, ella ayunara por que su familia y todas las familias permanezca unida. Angélica tienes 19 años que no ve a su madre y su familia en México, ella sabe lo que es una separación familiar, lo que es dejar de ver a su madre y no quieres que se repita la historia entre ella y sus hijos, por ultimo ayunara para que se detenga todas las deportaciones.
New Rochelle, NY
Tienes 34 años nació en Puebla México, vives en Estados Unidos desde hace acho años de los cuales lleva cinco con estatus de residente permanente, se desempeña como organizador de Don Bosco workers, coordinador del centro de trabajo. Ayunara por cinco días en solidaridad con las familias que son afectadas por la deportaciones, ya que mas de 1100 personas son deportada cada día, padres y madres de familia tienen que dejar a sus hijos. Estará ayunando por la aprobación de una reforma que incluya a los trabajadores jornaleros, siendo esto un grupo social excluido y sometidos a abusos permanentes por su estatus migratorio.
New Rochelle, NY
Nació en México, tiene 22 años, de los cuales lleva cinco viviendo en Estados Unidos. Hace un año y medio tuvo un accidente laboral que lo ha imposibilitado de una de sus manos, su estatus migratorio no le ha facilitado avanzar para recuperar la salud. Ayunará por dos días, para que aprueben la reforma migratoria, quiere estar documentado en este país, desarrollarse, recibir atención médica, poder visitar sus familiares en México. Lo hará para que paren las deportaciones, que no separen una familia más”. Es justo que la terminen!
New Rochelle, NY
Tiene 39 años, nació en México. Durante 16 años ha vivido en Estados Unidos, trabaja como jornalero; en este momento es el presidente de la organización Obreros Unidos, tienes tres hijos nacidos en Estados Unidos. Ayunará por un día pidiendo al presidente Barack Obama que haga conciencia de parar las deportaciones, no más separaciones de familias, de igual forma ayunará para que la reforma migratoria sea aprobada, por todos estos años que tenemos viviendo en este país. “Si otros tuvieron la oportunidad, nosotros también merecemos una oportunidad”.
New Rochelle, NY
60 años de edad nació en México, tiene nueve años viviendo en Estados Unidos, es voluntario - profesor de piano en United Community Center of Westchester desde hace cuatro años. Andrés ayunará por un día para que aprueben la reforma migratoria y en solidaridad con todas las personas que han sido deportadas y alejadas de sus familias.
New Rochelle, NY
39 años de edad, nació en República Dominicana, tiene 3 años viviendo en Estados Unidos, trabaja en United Community Center of Westchester desde hace cuatro años. Frank ayunará por un día en solidaridad con todas las personas que hoy se encuentran indocumentadas y como un llamado al Presidente Obama para que recuerde que en este país todos somos inmigrantes.
May 30th - 31st: Portland, OR
Portland, Oregon
My name is Romeo Sosa, I came to this country 20 years ago and I am fasting because I believe that it is unfair that while the debates around immigration take place in Congress, thousands of people are being deported every day. I know I am sacrificing my health but there is no better way to make my voice heard by those in power.
Portland, Oregon
Camilo Marquez is a 71-year-old retired physician: My family is from the Caribbean. We have been very successful, but not without struggling. My life has been relatively easy; I want to respect those who are suffering today by briefly sharing in their pain and sacrifice. I am a leader in Jobs with Justice and dedicate my time in retirement to social justice.
Portland, Oregon
Rosa Gomez: I am fasting because my fiancé is detained in the Detention Center in Tacoma Washington and I am also in solidarity with the produce and food package workers that are mainly made up of immigrants. I am fasting for the liberty and justice for all human beings because I believe no human being is illegal.
Portland, Oregon
Samantha Loza is a senior at Portland State University. She is majoring in International Studies with a regional focus in Latin America. She has worked in social services for 5 years, helping advocate for housing, health, employment and other resources. Samantha's parents were immigrant farm workers and she has first hand experience with the struggles immigrant families face. She has been a long-time supporter of immigrant rights.
Portland, Oregon
Sara Brells is originally from Tacoma, WA but is proud to now call herself an Oregonian. While working on her BA in Political Science at Pacific University she developed a passion for grassroots organizing around social justice issues, particularly immigrant rights and education reform. She recently returned from a year in Ecuador spent conducting research on indigenous education and is excited to join Voz as a Development Intern. Aside from Voz she works with children and studies alternative approaches to education. She intends to someday merge the skills gained from these experiences and open her own intercultural community education center. She is participating in the fast to stand in solidarity with the families of my community who are so negatively impacted by the policies of our country.
Portland, Oregon
Dr. Fernando Gapasin is a former professor of Industrial Relations and Chicano/a Studies. He is a 50-year veteran of the U.S. Labor movement. He co-authored Solidarity Divided with Bill Fletcher Jr. He is currently a Field Representative for OSEA/AFT Local 6732 and the Oregon State Chair for the National Writers Union/United Auto Workers local 1981. He is also on the Executive Committee of Portland Jobs with Justice.
Portland, Oregon
My name is Alexis, I am a student of social work and a volunteer with the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIRJ) in Portland, OR. As someone who has spent time in sending communities in Latin America, along the US-Mexico border, and in immigrant communities in the US, I've seen how unjust policies all along the way have perpetuated the current immigration crisis. I am ashamed of the way our country treats immigrants, who form the backbone of our economy and are an integral part of our communities. I am participating in this fast to call attention to the devastating separation of families and communities as a result of deportations. They must stop while our very broken system is fixed.
Portland, Oregon
Francisco Aguirre is originally from El Salvador. He has worked as a day labor and with the day labor community for over ten years both in Portland and in Los Angeles. Francisco was involved in the Workers’ Organizing Committee that went on to found Voz Workers’ Rights Education Project as a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Francisco has continued to demonstrate his leadership skills and dedication to economic justice for the Portland day laborer community. Francisco Aguirre is currently the MLK Jr. Worker Center Coordinator.
Portland, Oregon
Paul Riek has spent most of his life in Mexico, Paraguay, and Nicaragua. Paul founded an innovative prison program in Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico, organizing inmates as leaders to serve the community. He is a member of the musical band Bajo Salario that explores the revolutionary musical traditions of Latin America. Paul is married to Aurelia, an indigenous Zapotec woman from Oaxaca and an herbal medicine specialist. Paul is currently the Organizer at Voz. He is fasting in solidarity with all his friends and relatives who have been deported or live daily with the threat of deportation.
Portland, Oregon
My name is James Lopez Ericksen and I will be fasting May 30-31st, 2013 in support to end deportations. I have lived in NE and N Portland for most of the last twenty years in mostly poor communities of color. As a white male, I recognize the slow work to first sit, listen, and learn when entering different ethnic communities. And in everything I do, recognize the good work of others who give tirelessly with little or no resources and recognition. It is my belief that trust, respect, and dignity are three of the most important elements in how we are to treat others. Within the community I live in, Portsmouth, and the school my son attends, I am intentional to befriend my immigrant neighbors. I have served on the board of the Oregon Farm Worker Ministry for a little less than a year. My beautiful, patient wife is 1st generation from El Salvador and teaches me daily how to live out the faith. I have two incredible children, a son age 7, and a daughter age 3. A quote I love and live by is, "I am a shepard," he said, "who, with his people, has begun to learn a beautiful and difficult truth: our Christian faith requires that we submerge ourselves in this world." -Oscar Romero
Portland, Oregon
Greg Margolis is a 64 year old semi retired paralegal worker who has lived in Portland for 30 years. He is a long time member of Portland Jobs with Justice, Co-chair of JWJ Global Justice and Trade Committee, a member of the Jobs With Justice Executive Board, and is also active with many other social justice groups. He says “I support immigrant rights because my grandparents were immigrants and at one time so were the ancestors of most Americans. I do not believe any human being should be criminalized for merely crossing an arbitrary border. I also believe that our governmental policies have been responsible for expanding the need for migration especially from Mexico as a result of the NAFTA "free" trade agreement. This agreement allowed major American agricultural conglomerates to undersell Mexican farmers by removing tariffs and subsidizing these huge corporations with American tax payer money. As a result some 2 million agricultural workers in Mexico lost their ability to make a living farming and were forced to migrate here to make money to feed their families.”
Portland, Oregon
Cory Lira: I'm an educator and cultural worker from Portland, Oregon and I am fasting for my family and my community. I am a third generation xicana and I come from a line of strong women that worked hard to ensure our family survived despite deep rooted American racism and oppression. Day labors and field workers are my cousins, my grandparents, my friends, my community. I fast to honor their contribution to our communities, I fast because immigration reform must happen now. I fast because deportation must stop and real comprehensive changes to our immigration must take place instead. I fast for the families torn apart and I fast for my future children's right to equality and respect.
Portland, Oregon
John Munson: I am a lawyer and I volunteer with the wage claim program at VOZ. We are all immigrants and injustice for one is injustice for all. In the words of Bishop Desmond Tutu “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your
neutrality.”
Portland, Oregon
Abdias Cortez: I am diabetic and I take the risk of casting because casting and prayer have power through faith. I struggle for just and humane immgration reform and no more deportations. Not one more.
Day laborers, members of the immigrant community, and organizations within the National Day Laborer Organizing Network are holding a rolling fast that began on May Day in Mountain View, CA and continues in cities across the country throughout May and June 2013. Here in Portland we will fast 10:00am May 30th, 2013-5:00pm May 31st. It will be a liquids-only fast in the Community Center at St. Andrew’s Church located at 806 NE Alberta St Portland, OR 97211. We invite you to join us in this fast that brings a moral voice to the immigration debate to move the President and Congress people to relieve the suffering of families separated by deportation and move forward with inclusive reform.
We also invite you to our community forum on comprehensive immigration reform if you have been directly affected by the lack of a reform policy. This forum will be in Spanish. We will learn in detail what the specifics are around the proposed bill proposed in Congress so that we can clarify the confusion in our community and move forward with concrete action steps for each of us to participate in this critical conversation. The forum will also take place in the Community Center at St. Andrew’s Church located at 806 NE Alberta St Portland, OR 97211.
May 18th - 25th: Freehold, NJ
Fast Participants:
Unidad Latina en Acción NJ
Mi nombre es Ligia Trujillo-Schraeger. Llegue de Colombia con mis hijos hace 9 años y 8 meses Mis dos hijos Cindy Vannesa tenía 12 años y Andres Felipe tenía 7 años. Vine en busca de un mejor porvenir como todos quería ser parte del Sueño Americano y han sido 9 años de larga lucha por tantas barreras. Uno de ellos es mi estatus legal, aprender el idioma y trabajar. En la actualidad trabajo en ventas. Estoy uniendome al ayuno porque pienso que necesitamos una reforma migratoria para todos y por eso seguiremos orando para una reforma inclusiva.
Mi nombre es Lidia Martinez. Soy de Guatemala y vine a este pais hace aproximada 15 años. Mi lucha a sido fuerte y he trabajado en varias cosas. Ahora soy una trabajadora domestica que limpia casa en New Jersey. Vine a este pais por necesidad economica y aun tengo a mis hijo lejos de mi. Espero ese dia que pueda romper con las fronteras y viajar a ver a mi familia. Me uno a este ayuno porque se que DIos nos ve y escucha por medio de la oracion y con nuestras acciones demostraremos que tener una reforma inclusiva es nuestro derecho!
Freehold, NJ
De Guatemala, trabaje como naturopata en mi país, tenia una clínica de medicina alternativa. Trabaje organizando una cooperativa agrícola y un proyecto de panadería. Llegue a USA en el 2008 con mi hijo.
En Estados Unidos mi trabajo ha sido en Agricultura, y en un rancho cuidando caballos, sacarlos a caminar, ejercitarlos y alimentarlos y mantenimiento a la finca. Tengo mas de un ano de ser voluntaria en Casa Freehold, mi sueno es trabajar en la organización de Mujeres, para su apoyo. Me gusta el trabajo con la comunidad, hay mucha necesidad para apoyar, organizarnos y resolver nuestros problemas. Mi sueno es hacer un hogar para ancianos y niños en Guatemala.
La Jornada del Ayuno es algo muy valioso para mi pues vale la pena luchar para que hay una reforma para todos y quiero que pare el sufrimiento de nuestra gente en espacial los niños cuando deportan a sus padres. Le pido a Obama que pare las deportaciones ya, están limitando a los seres mas indefensos del país los niños, quienes tiene como seres humanos los mismos derechos.
Freehold, NJ
Soy Cesar Ramos, Mexicano , vine a Estados Unidos hace 14 anos, apenas tenia 17 anos. Soy huérfano desde niño, mi madre murió cuando tenia 8 anos. Me vine de México un grupo de amigos jóvenes a buscar una oportunidad a buscar una vida mejor. Hace 4 anos llego a USA.
Soy Padre de dos niños uno de 7 y otro de 12 anos, trabajo para el futuro de mis hijos, quiero que sean profesionales. En New Jeresy he trabajado en varias cosas, como Planchador, carpintero, Jardinero, construcción y lo que saliera para ganarme la vida.
Estoy participando en la jornada nacional del ayuno Ni Una Mas Deportación porque
no me gusta como nos trata a la comunidad la migra y el gobierno federal, no nos reconocen nuestro trabajo, nos hay leyes justas para los que nos roban nuestro salario, se nos trata como personas sin derechos humanos.
También estoy en el ayuno para apoyar a Casa Frehold que es una organización con una buena causa, me han ayudado mucho y ahora estoy regresando ese favor y apoyando a mi comunidad para que haya una reforma migratoria real. Les pido a la comunidad de Freehold y la de todo el país que nos unamos para lograr luchar y lograr lo que buscamos.
Freehold, NJ
Soy Mexicano, Chiapaneco, en mi país trabaje en el campo cultivando hortaliza, maíz frijoles, soya tomate. Me vine para darle una mejor vida a mis 3 hijos (17, 16 y 12), mis hijas están estudiando, una enfermería, la otra secundaria y la otra esta por terminar la primaria.
Hace muchos anos llegue a Estados Unidos, trabaje en la constricción de piscinas, jardinería y cortando árboles pienso que es una buena forma de contribuir a este país.
Me interesa el ayuno, es una parte de confiar en DIOS y pedir que me recupere pronto de mi salud, recientemente me operaron una rodilla, me accidente en el trabajo quiero que en una reforma migratoria nos den servicios médicos, cuando trabajamos nos enférmanos y lo necesitamos.
Quiero que Obama y los políticos paran las deportaciones, hay mucho sufrimiento de los niños ellos no deben de sufrir de esa manera.
Freehold, NJ
Soy del Peten, Guatemala. Antes trabajaba con ganado, inseminación, checar infecciones, hacia el papel de veterinario. Aunque no lo era. Me vine para buscar una nueva forma de vida pues la situación política. económica y social en Guatemala es complicadas hay mucha violencia.
Desde que vine a Estados Unidos no he parado de trabajar, he hecho diferentes trabajos como limpieza, jardinería, poner ladrillos, trabaje en un rancho ordenando vacas .
Estoy en esta jornada nacional de ayuno porque quiero unir mi vos y hacer un pequeño sacrificio que me lleve a logra mi sueno: Una Reforma Migratoria justa para todos y que paren las deportaciones para parar tanto sufrimiento. Hace unos días deportaron a un amigo y me afecto mucho, lo mandaron con las manos vacías sin el llamado sueno americano, si llevar nada a su familia, el es el sostén de su familia en Guatemala.
También ayuno como una obediencia ha DIOS y mostrando humildad, busco llamar la atención de los políticos para que nos conozcan como personas trabajadoras y de bien.
Me gusta la música y me inspiro en las historia de mi gente, de sus éxitos, de su aporte a este gran país y también del sufrimiento de las familias en especial de los niños cuando les deportan a sus padres.
Freehold, NJ
Me llamo Verónica. Nací en Perú, soy madre y padre de tres hijas, 25, 22 y 15 anos. En Perú trabaje cuidando a mis hijos, me separe con mi esposo y la situación económica se complico por lo que decidí viajara Estados Unidos para mejorar el futuro de mis hijas.
Hace 8anos llegue y me dedique ha trabajar en lo que encontrara, he limpiando casas, trabaje en Restaurante preparando las comidas y muchas otros trabajos.
Muchos padres de familia llegamos a este país a trabajar para mejorar nuestra economía y mejorar la economía de los Estados Unidos para que salga adelante.
Decidí participar en la semana del Ayuno para que DIOS interceda y toque el lado humano del Presidente Obama, quiero que pare las deportaciones y que la reforma migratoria nos beneficie a todos para viajar a visitar a nuestras familias.
No es justo que nos separen de nuestros hijos, en este país mucho se habla de la protección de la niñez y actualmente les están abusando, causando un daño irreparable al separarlos de sus padres y ponerlos en programas con padres adoptivos.
Photo Gallery of Action:
May 11wth - 17th: Homestead, FL
Fast Participants:
Brenda Narvaez: I’m 18 years old born in Illinois but my mind, heart, body and soul are Mexican. I’m a full-time student, part time English as a Second Language, and a full-time activist.
“I do this because I am the daughter of an undocumented single mother who my brother and I cannot lose. Also because, it is right to be here (just look at what forced to migrate and who these lands belonged to) & I want to fight along the side of my people”
WeCount!
Rudy Perez is a member of WeCount originally from Guatemala. he has been an active member of his church for the past there years and is a leader among day laborers building a stronger community.
“We want to stop the unjust deportations in our community. I'll fast to send a message to the President that the people justice and liberty. It's not just that they keep deporting our people. It's urgent that we get immigration reform."
WeCount!
Blanca Velasquez is a mother of two, English student at WeCount and originally from El Salvador.
“I fast because I am a victim of the unjust immigration system in the US. I am fighting to stop my own deportation and I believe in the necessity of stop the deportations of our whole community."
WeCount!
Originally from Guatelama Miguel speaks Maya Ixil and is a member of WeCount. Miguel works as a day laborer and in agriculture. He was a participant in the "Keep Your Promise" caravan to Washington to meet with the White House and promote immigration reform.
“It's time to raise our voices. I have no fear and I will fast because I believe that the sacrifice is worth it to send a message of peace and solidarity with all 11 million. In Homestead we want to see an end to the deportations of farmworkers."
FLIC
Maria Rodriguez is the current Executive Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition which she founded in 2005. She has worked to defend basic human rights of low-income and migrant peoples for over 25 years. She is also a dedicated mother.
"I am fasting to stop the separation of families and to stop the detention and deportations of all immigrants; our people."
Guadalupe De La Cruz is a Chicana proudly from two immigrant parents. She's been in the fight for immigrant justice for some time. Guadalupe is a child care provider from WeCount! who has personally seen the pain and fear in the eyes of children affected by local raids in my community.
“I am here as a representative for those families, as well as the many others, whom are afraid to come out of the shadows. I am their voice demanding an Immigration reform with a path to citizenship. We have waited long enough and need this to keep our families together. We cannot continue the injustice and abuse. The time is NOW! SI SE PUEDE”
Cynthia Moreno is 22 and originally from Tamaulipas, Mexico coming to the U.S. with her family in 2002. She has been involved at WeCount since 2006 and has evolved from youth leader to organizer.
"I am fasting because I am fed up of seeing my community being abused by the enormous amount of raids, detentions and deportations causing our families to be separated, our kids to be traumatized and our people to live in an oppressive environment."
Oscar Danilo Balladares: I am a Nicaraguan immigrant. When I was five years old, for one month I crossed several borders with my mother and 3 older brothers, arriving in Miami in late January 1989. Having been raised in some of the most impoverished neighborhoods of the United States I learned first hand that justice was reserved for some, not all.
Today, I organize with Florida New Majority (FNM), as a community organizer with FNM I fight to mend a broken and unequal voting system that keeps minorities from civic participation.
“I fast because in my personal life I deal with another broken system, immigration. My family and community are constantly torn apart by draconian and racist immigration policies. Today, I want to be a part of a fight that stands up for human dignity. No mas ilegales, idle no more”.
Rebecca Wood: Has been living in Miami for 10 years, working on housing and land rights issues with the Take Back the Land Movement and the Kijani Collective, and has worked as an ally with Power U, Miami Workers Center, and the Florida Immigrant Coalition. In 2011, she worked with PBCCIR (Palm Beach County Coalition for Immigrant Rights) during the legislative session to fight Florida's proposed SB1070 copycat laws.
“I’m fasting in solidarity with affected families in Homestead, to call for a stop deportations now, and for inclusion of all 11 million in the immigration reform bill”.
Photo Gallery of Action:
NMay 1st - 12th: Mountain View, CA
Fast Participants:
WeCount!
Gustavo Tellez is originally from Mexico. Now a resident of Homestead, Gustavo works as a carpenter and is learning English in the classes offer by WeCount's community school. Originario de Mexico, Gustavo has bevive en EEUU desde hace 8 anos, trabaja en construccion su especialidad es la Carpinteria. Actualmente es estudiante de Ingles en la escuela Comunitaria de WeCount!.
“I want to fast so that our sacrifice makes us heard. We want President Obama to stop the deportations of our parents, families, and friends. Too many children are left without parents when someone is deported. We want legalization for the undocumented community. We're here to work not to do anyone any harm."
Mountain View Worker Center
Maria Marroquin is the executive director of the Mountainview Worker Center, a mother, and grandmother. Originally from Puebla, Mexico, has long been an advocate for justice. She will be fasting for 11 days; one day for each of the 11 million undocumented people to be included in immigration reform. Read her reasons for fasting in her poem: “Porque.”
Mountain View Worker Center
Sobeida López has been working since age 7 where she helped her family work coffee fields and pick other crops in the countryside of Mexico. She came to the US 13 years ago in search of a better life for her family and now works cooking and doing childcare as a day laborer in Mountainview. She says, “Through the fast I hope to communicate with God so that he touches the heart of President Obama and moves him to stop the deportations. Each day I live with fear for my husband and my self that ICE could come to deport us and I have to ask what would happen to my daughter. If he stopped the deportations and we were given papers I could live without fear and visit my oldest daughter still in Mexico who I haven’t seen for over a decade.”
Mountain View Worker Center
Christine Chatwell worked for many years as a social worker. Now that she is retired she enjoys using her social work skills in her volunteer work at the Day Worker Center where she teaches English through art and music. She also was the main organizer to start the workers’ “Latin Band” that performs various venues in the community. She is very passionate about social justice, especially immigration reform.
Christine believes that aspiring US citizens deserve fair and humane treatment. She decided to fast to educate people about some of the mistreatment immigrants are now receiving and to convince President Obama to stop deportations now.
Mountain View Worker Center
Ana Vázquez is a single mother from Veracruz, México and a member of the Day Labor Center of Mountain View who works as a housecleaner. “I decided to participate in the fast to support my community where people without papers suffer from our families being divided. I hope to be included in reform so that I can travel to my country and see my three children and parents in person.”
“By fasting I want to stop being invisible… I no longer want to continue in the shadows. I send this message to the politicians and the government so that they know that we are honorable working people. We want papers so we can find stable work to live our lives in peace.”
Mountain View Worker Center
I came to California when I was five years old. Currently I live with my four kids and husband. My four kids names are Vanessa 14, Angel 13, Ivan 8 and Valerie 6. My husband’s name is Gonzalo Maruri, we have been together for fifteen years. I decided to fast because I wanted to support immigrants who are being deported out of the United States and prevent any more families being separated.
Mountain View Worker Center
Marco Antonio Cedillo Salcedo is a proud father of three, originally from Mexico. Marco Antonio was a successful small business owner there until transnational companies arrived and undersold the market at cheaper rates bankrupting his company. He came to the US to support his family and ensure his children could continue studying for their professions in music, communications, and child psychology. He's been a member of the Day Worker Center of Mountainview since 2003.
Photo Gallery of Action:
Upcoming Cities
June 24th - 28th: Boston, MA - Jobs With Justice, IWCC, BWG, JW, AFSC, BIC, Indonesia Community HH
June 24th - June 28th: Concord, NH - Economic Justice Project Coordinator American Friends Service Committee
July 8th - 13th: Long Island, NY - WPP, La Puente, EOC & UU
July 15th - 20th: Atlanta, GA - GLAR
July 16th - 20th: Tucson, AZ - Southside Worker Center