WASHINGTON - Immigrant Rights Organizations, Workers Centers and Unions launch a national strike billed as a “day without immigrants” to demonstrate that the country depends on the labor of immigrants and working class people of color. Hundreds of thousands of workers have already pledged to strike in what organizers expect to be the largest national strike since the Megamarches of 2006.

Speakers include Erika Andiola as well as representatives of Movimiento Cosecha, the SEIU United Service Workers West, the Food Chain Workers Alliance, MoveOn.Org and the Fight for 15.

What: Press Conference To Launch National May 1st Day Without Immigrants Strike

When: April 3rd, 2017 at 11:00 am

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Where: Taqueria Habanero 3710 14th Street NW Washington DC 20010. The Taqueria will be closed on May 1st and the owners will be available for interviews.

“May 1st is the first step in a series of strikes and boycotts that will change the conversation on immigration in the United States,” said Maria Fernanda Cabello, a spokesperson from Movimiento Cosecha. “We believe that when the country recognizes it depends on immigrant labor to function, we will win permanent protection from deportation for the 11 million undocumented immigrants; the right to travel freely to visit our loved ones abroad, and the right to be treated with dignity and respect.”

Tens of thousands of members of the SEIU United Service Workers West have pledged to strike on May 1st, to demand an end to the criminalization of black and brown communities, an end to raids and deportations, and an end to worker exploitation. High School and College students as part of the Sanctuary Campus movement will also be doing walkouts.

The Food Chain Workers Alliance has also announced that thousands of workers across the food system, from farm workers to restaurant workers will be striking on May 1st. “We are a workforce made up mostly of immigrants, women, African Americans, and indigenous people,” Jose Oliva of the Food Chain Workers Alliance. “Without workers, who does Trump think will harvest the crops, craft the food, transport it to market, stock the shelves, cook in kitchens, and serve the meals?”

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