In anticipation of CLORE's event next week on the rights, struggles and solidarity movement of Latino and Asian low wage workers, particularly in the garment industry, here are some links to discussions and scholarship to whet our appetite.
1. ¡YA BASTA! Reflections on Asian and Latino Workers in the Immigrant Rights Movement - http://jalanjournal.org/2008/03/latino-asian-solidarity/
2. Study: Asian American Low-Wage Workers Often Cheated of their Wages - http://www.apimovement.com/chicago/study-asian-american-low-wage-workers-often-cheated-their-wages
3. Chinese and Latino Garment Workers Announce Filing of Lawsuit Against ‘Cache’ - http://www.nmass.org/nmass/news/02112010%20Cache%20Press%20Conference.htm
Some questions to consider as well:
- What has been the most successful direct action techniques that have worked to secure low wage workers, particularly immigrants, rights?
- What can other social justice movements learn from the solidarity work of these two communities?
- What has been most challenging in alliance building for low wage workers' rights?
- Where have we seen reform work compromise the movement?
La lucha continua....
Friday, April 16, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Toxic Colonialism: Vieques and US Military Policy post-event discussion
After a stimulating conversation on the role of the U.S. Navy on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico - where it used the island as a bombing range and to test out biochemical warfare - there were many questions and points that I realized we never got to address and that left me wanting to share more. Among them include:
- A further discussion and critique of the role racism plays in colonialism and in particular the use of Puerto Rico as a location to practice biochemical warfare on people of color
- The long-term health and environmental hazards as a result of the Navy's practices and how those can be measured and accounted for, including in the form of compensation. For example, how can we determine what health hazards exist for future generations yet compensate current victims for current health hazards?
- The challenges of overcoming a sovereign immunity defense, even when not explicitly critiquing military policy and decisions, rather the consequences of them.
- The role that civil disobedience and civil unrest played as a strategy of holding the government accountable for its actions in lieu of Puerto Ricans status as a colony unable to vote for the executive or to have federal congressional representation.
- How the environmental justice movement has or has not championed this issue
And whatever else you may want to discuss!
- A further discussion and critique of the role racism plays in colonialism and in particular the use of Puerto Rico as a location to practice biochemical warfare on people of color
- The long-term health and environmental hazards as a result of the Navy's practices and how those can be measured and accounted for, including in the form of compensation. For example, how can we determine what health hazards exist for future generations yet compensate current victims for current health hazards?
- The challenges of overcoming a sovereign immunity defense, even when not explicitly critiquing military policy and decisions, rather the consequences of them.
- The role that civil disobedience and civil unrest played as a strategy of holding the government accountable for its actions in lieu of Puerto Ricans status as a colony unable to vote for the executive or to have federal congressional representation.
- How the environmental justice movement has or has not championed this issue
And whatever else you may want to discuss!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
In Defense of Immigrants: Hidden Dangers of Immigration Status and the Criminal Justice System
On April 13th, CLORE will be hosting an event about immigrant interaction with the criminal justice system. Here, you can begin the discussion, or participate if you cannot make it, so read on!
Immigrants on trial have a right to know what’s at stake; yet, too often they are left in the dark about their constitutional protections. Recently, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Padilla v. Kentucky which changed the defense attorney's duty to inform a client of the consequences of the charges against them. Panelists will discuss the key role criminal defense lawyers can play a role in safeguarding, advising and enforcing the rights of immigrants facing criminal charges.
Below, you will find a Practice Advisory by Manuel D. Vargas, Founder and Senior Counsel of the Immigrant Defense Project, who will be joining as a panelist on the 13th. This practice advisory assesses the impact of Padilla v. Kentucky. It is an excellent review of the issues raised by the decision, allowing the reader to get an overview of the case and what this new duty means to defense attorneys and their clients. Please take a moment to read it and begin the discussion before the event.
Padilla Practice Advisory
Immigrants on trial have a right to know what’s at stake; yet, too often they are left in the dark about their constitutional protections. Recently, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Padilla v. Kentucky which changed the defense attorney's duty to inform a client of the consequences of the charges against them. Panelists will discuss the key role criminal defense lawyers can play a role in safeguarding, advising and enforcing the rights of immigrants facing criminal charges.
Below, you will find a Practice Advisory by Manuel D. Vargas, Founder and Senior Counsel of the Immigrant Defense Project, who will be joining as a panelist on the 13th. This practice advisory assesses the impact of Padilla v. Kentucky. It is an excellent review of the issues raised by the decision, allowing the reader to get an overview of the case and what this new duty means to defense attorneys and their clients. Please take a moment to read it and begin the discussion before the event.
Padilla Practice Advisory
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