On May Day, 2014, the streets of Downtown San Bernardino rang with the voices of hundreds of people of all ages from communities and organizations all over the Inland Empire, in a unified, urgent call to action. Music and chants created a festive atmosphere, while strong messages from diverse speakers emphasized that now is the time to end the unjust detention and deportation of our community members.
In the past year, we have seen the continuous attacks and persecution of the immigrant community and immigrant workers in the Inland Empire including:
1) disregard by law enforcement for the TRUST Act. ICE holds continue to be placed at an alarming rate on non-violent, non-criminal offenders in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
2) persecution of workers for their immigration status via Border Patrol and ICE raids in our communities.
3) disregard by some of our local, state and Congressional representatives of their obligation to affirm the presence of immigrants in the Inland Empire of Southern California and to support comprehensive and humane immigration reform for all.
This year’s march was sponsored by the Justice for Immigrants Coalition and its partner organizations, with the theme of “Strong Community, United Families, Marching for Dignity.” Over 300 community members and local activists marched to demand an end to deportations and the tearing apart of families. Speakers also called for more protections for workers, both citizens and non-citizens, highlighting economic disparity in the City of San Bernardino.
